8 April 1994

‘Friendship Bridge’ opens

His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, Her Majesy Queen Sirikit, Her Royal Highness Princess Sirindhorn, Lao President Nouhak Phoumsavanh and other dignitaries marked the opening of the historic Friendship Bridge across the Mekong River between Thailand and Laos.

It was the first major bridge across the 4,200-km river. The bridge was also regarded as a symbol of the end of Cold War conflicts that had plagued the region.

The 1,170-metre Australian-built structure was seen as a keystone project by planners, who dreamed of creating an influential economic community around the mighty river. Together with a highway from northern Laos to China, set to be finished in 1996, the bridge would enable a road journey from Singapore to Beijing. For Australia, meanwhile, it represented a high-profile $30-million gift to a region where it was seeking to project itself diplomatically and commercially.

8 April 1994

‘Friendship Bridge’ opens

His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, Her Majesy Queen Sirikit, Her Royal Highness Princess Sirindhorn, Lao President Nouhak Phoumsavanh and other dignitaries marked the opening of the historic Friendship Bridge across the Mekong River between Thailand and Laos.

It was the first major bridge across the 4,200-km river. The bridge was also regarded as a symbol of the end of Cold War conflicts that had plagued the region.

The 1,170-metre Australian-built structure was seen as a keystone project by planners, who dreamed of creating an influential economic community around the mighty river. Together with a highway from northern Laos to China, set to be finished in 1996, the bridge would enable a road journey from Singapore to Beijing. For Australia, meanwhile, it represented a high-profile $30-million gift to a region where it was seeking to project itself diplomatically and commercially.