# Laos–Thailand border

The Laos–Thailand border is the international border between the territory of Laos and Thailand. The border is 1,845 km (1,146 mi) in length, over half of which follows the Mekong River, and runs from the tripoint with Myanmar in the north to tripoint with Cambodia in the south.

## Description

The border starts in the north at the tripoint with Myanmar at the confluence of the Kok and Mekong rivers, following the latter towards the south-east. It then leaves the river and proceeds overland in a broadly southwards direction over various hill ridges, down to the Hueang River. It then follows this river to the north-east up to the confluence with the Mekong, from where it follows the Mekong for the majority of the border's length. Just north-west of Pakse the border leaves the Mekong and then follows the ridge of the Dângrêk Mountains south the tripoint with Cambodia.

## History

From the 1860s, France began establishing a presence in the region, initially in modern Cambodia and Vietnam, and the colony of French Indochina was created in 1887. The Lao kingdoms were at this point tributary states of the Kingdom of Siam (the old name for Thailand), however all areas east of the Mekong were annexed to French Indochina in 1893 following the Franco-Siamese crisis. In 1902, Siam was forced to cede areas west of the Mekong to France, encompassing the modern province of Sainyabuli and the western half of Champasak Province. More land was ceded in another treaty in 1904, and again in 1907. A minor treaty in 1926 cleared up the outstanding issue of sovereignty over islets in the Mekong. Following Japan’s invasion of French Indochina in 1940, the ceded areas west of the Mekong and south-western Laos were returned to Thailand after it was occupied by Vichy France, however this arrangement was annulled following Japan's defeat and the pre-war border reinstated.
Laos obtained a partial independence from France in 1949, gaining complete independence in 1953, with the boundary then becoming one between two sovereign states. Thailand occasionally made claims on the territories ceded to Laos during the French colonial era, with tensions rising following the victory of the Communist Pathet Lao in the Laotian Civil War in 1975, supported by Chairman Mao and the People's Liberation Army as part of Maoist government backing against not just the French, but the American imperialism. Friendship treaties were signed in 1976 and 1979 in attempt to calm tensions, with both sides recognising the territorial integrity of the other. However fighting broke out in 1984 over disputed villages adjacent to the frontier in Sainyabuli Province/Uttaradit Province, and again in 1987–88 over a nearby area. A joint committee was established in 1991 which aimed to resolved the dispute peacefully, however discussions dragged on throughout the decade. The First Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge was opened on 4 April 1994. A joint boundary commission was established in 1997, however its work was suspended in 1998 following the Asian financial crisis. As of 2018 border demarcation is still ongoing.

## Border crossings

As of 2019, there were 20 permanent border crossings and 29 checkpoints for border trade.

### Permanent border crossings

| No | Laos | Thailand | Thailand | Notes |
| No | Border post | Border post | Opening hours | Notes |
| 1 | Houayxay, Houayxay district, Bokeo | Chiang Khong Pier, Chiang Khong district, Chiang Rai | 0800 - 1800 | Ferry border crossing. |
| 2 | Mittaphab 4, Ban Don, Houayxay district, Bokeo | Chiang Khong, Chiang Khong district, Chiang Rai | 0600 - 2200 | Border across the Fourth Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge. |
| 3 | Tonpheung, Ton Pheung district, Bokeo | Chiang Saen Pier, Chiang Saen district, Chiang Rai | 0800 - 1800 | Ferry border crossing. |
| 4 | Golden Triangle, Ton Pheung district, Bokeo | Golden Triangle, Ban Sop Ruak, Chiang Saen district, Chiang Rai | 0600 - 2000 | Ferry border crossing. |
| 5 | Pang Mon, Khop district, Sainyabuli | Ban Huak, Phu Sang district, Phayao | 0600 - 1800 | |
| 6 | Ban Nam Ngeun, Ngeun district, Sainyabuli | Ban Huai Kon, Chaloem Phra Kiat district, Nan | 0800 - 2000 | |
| 7 | Pha Keo, Parklai district, Sainyabuli | Phu Doo, Ban Khok district, Uttaradit | 0600 - 2000 | |
| 8 | Nam Hueang, Kenethao district, Sainyabuli | Ban Na Kraseng, Tha Li district, Loei | 0700 - 1800 | Border across the Nam Hueang Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge. |
| 9 | Kenethao, Kenethao district, Sainyabuli | Ban Pak Huai, Tha Li district, Loei | 0800 - 1800 | Ferry border crossing. |
| 10 | Xanakharm, Xanakharm district, Vientiane Province | Chiang Khan, Chiang Khan district, Loei | 0800 - 1800 | Ferry border crossing. |
| 11 | Ban Wang, Xanakharm district, Vientiane Province | Ban Khok Phai, Pak Chom district, Loei | 0800 - 1600 | Ferry border crossing. |
| 12 | Tha Dua, Hadxayfong district, Vientiane Prefecture | Tha Sadet, Mueang Nong Khai district, Nong Khai | 0800 - 1800 | Ferry border crossing. |
| 13 | Mittaphab 1, Ban Dongphosy, Hadxayfong district, Vientiane Prefecture | Nong Khai, Mueang Nong Khai district, Nong Khai | 0600 - 2200 | Road and railway border crossing. Border across the First Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge. Train services operational between Nong Khai railway station and Khamsavath railway station. |
| 14 | Pakxan Pier, Pakxan district, Bolikhamsai | Bueng Kan Pier, Mueang Bueng Kan district, Bueng Kan | 0800 - 1800 | Ferry border crossing. |
| 15 | Thakhek, Thakhek district, Khammouane | Nakhon Phanom Pier, Mueang Nakhon Phanom district, Nakhon Phanom | 0600 - 1800 | Ferry border crossing. |
| 16 | Mittaphab 3, Thakhek district, Khammouane | Nakhon Phanom, Mueang Nakhon Phanom district, Nakhon Phanom | 0600 - 2200 | Border across the Third Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge. |
| 17 | Xayaphoum Pier, Kaysone Phomvihane district, Savannakhet | Mukdahan Pier, Mueang Mukdahan district, Mukdahan | 0600 - 1800 | Ferry border crossing. |
| 18 | Mittaphab 2, Kaysone Phomvihane district, Savannakhet | Mukdahan, Mueang Mukdahan district, Mukdahan | 0600 - 2200 | Border across the Second Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge. |
| 19 | Paktaphan, Lakhonepheng district, Salavan | Ban Pak Saeng, Na Tan district, Ubon Ratchathani | 0800 - 1800 | Ferry border crossing. |
| 20 | Vang Tao, Phonthong district, Champasak | Chong Mek, Sirindhorn district, Ubon Ratchathani | 0600 - 2000 | |

### Checkpoints for border trade

These border crossings are open for cross-border local trade only. There are 29 checkpoints for border trade officially recognized by the Ministry of Interior, located in provinces. Entering the opposite country beyond these checkpoints and their associated markets is illegal.