View source for Laos–Thailand border

{{Short description|International border}}
[[File:Laos - Thailand border.jpg|thumb|right|Map of the Laos-Thailand border]]
The '''Laos–Thailand border''' is the international border between the territory of [[Laos]] and [[Thailand]]. The border is 1,845&nbsp;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.<ref>{{cite web |title=Laos |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/laos/ |publisher=CIA World Factbook |access-date=19 September 2020}}</ref>
==Description==
The border starts in the north at the tripoint with Myanmar at the confluence of the [[Kok River|Kok]] and [[Mekong river]]s, following the latter towards the south-east.<ref name="IBS">{{cite web |title=International Boundary Study No. 20 – Laos – Thailand Boundary |url=https://fall.law.fsu.edu/collection/LimitsinSeas/IBS020.pdf|publisher=US Department of State |date=18 September 1962|access-date=19 September 2020}}</ref> 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.<ref name="IBS"/>
==History==
[[File:Thai-Laos Territory.JPG|thumb|right|A pillar marking the border (2002)]]
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.<ref name="IBS" />  The Lao kingdoms were at this point tributary states of the [[Rattanakosin Kingdom (1782–1932)|Kingdom of Siam]] (the old name for Thailand), however all areas east of the Mekong were [[French protectorate of Laos|annexed to French Indochina]] in 1893 following the [[Franco-Siamese crisis]].<ref name="IBS" /><ref name="Stuart-Fox 1997">{{cite book|last1=Stuart-Fox|first1=Martin|title=A History of Laos|date=1997|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=0-521-59746-3|pages=24–25}}</ref><ref name="RBSJ">{{cite web |last1=St John |first1=Ronald Bruce |title=The Land Boundaries of Indochina: Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam |url=https://myoceanic.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/land-boundaries-of-indochina-cambodia-laos-and-vietnam.pdf |publisher=International Boundaries Research Unit, Department of Geography, University of Durham |access-date=17 September 2020}}</ref> 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]].<ref name="IBS" /><ref name="RBSJ" /> More land was ceded in another treaty in 1904, and again in 1907.<ref name="IBS" /><ref name="RBSJ" /> A minor treaty in 1926 cleared up the outstanding issue of sovereignty over islets in the Mekong.<ref name="IBS" /> Following [[Japan]]’s [[Japanese invasion of French Indochina|invasion]] of French Indochina in 1940 the ceded areas west of the Mekong and south-western Laos were returned to Thailand, however this arrangement was annulled following Japan's defeat and the pre-war border reinstated.<ref name="IBS" />
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 colonial era, with tensions rising following the victory of the Communist [[Pathet Lao]] in the [[Laotian Civil War]] in 1975.<ref name="RBSJ" /> Friendship treaties were signed in 1976 and 1979 in attempt to calm tensions, with both sides recognising the territorial integrity of the other.<ref name="RBSJ" /><ref name="cs">Brown, MacAlister, and Joseph J. Zasloff. "Relations with Thailand". [http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/latoc.html ''Laos: a country study''] (Andrea Matles Savada, ed). [[Library of Congress]] [[Federal Research Division]] (July 1994)</ref> However fighting broke out in 1984 over disputed villages adjacent to the frontier in [[Sainyabuli Province]]/[[Uttaradit Province]], and [[Thai–Laotian Border War|again]] in 1987–88 over a nearby area.<ref name="RBSJ" /> A joint committee was established in 1991 which aimed to resolved the dispute peacefully, however discussions dragged on throughout the decade.<ref name="RBSJ" /> A joint boundary commission was established in 1997, however its work was suspended in 1998 following the [[Asian financial crisis]].<ref name="RBSJ" /> As of 2018 border demarcation is still ongoing.<ref>{{cite web |title=More than 200 markers installed along Laos-Thailand border |url=http://aec.utcc.ac.th/more-than-200-markers-installed-along-laos-thailand-border/ |website=UTCC |date=22 January 2018|access-date=19 September 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Laos, Thailand move forward with border demarcation |url=https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30252684 |website=The Nation |date=26 January 2015|access-date=19 September 2020}}</ref>
==Border crossings==
{{As of|2019}}, there were 20 permanent border crossings and 29 checkpoints for [[border trade]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=ข้อมูลช่องทางผ่านแดนและความตกลงเรื่องการสัญจรข้ามแดน |url=http://www.fad.moi.go.th/index.php/%E0%B8%82%E0%B9%89%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%B9%E0%B8%A5%E0%B8%8A%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%97%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%9C%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%99%E0%B9%81%E0%B8%94%E0%B8%99%E0%B9%81%E0%B8%A5%E0%B8%B0%E0%B8%84%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%95%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%A5%E0%B8%87%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B7%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%8D%E0%B8%88%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%82%E0%B9%89%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A1%E0%B9%81%E0%B8%94%E0%B8%99 |website=Foreign Affairs Division Office, Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of the Interior}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=ດ່ານຊາຍແດນລະຫວ່າງ ສປປ ລາວ - ຣາຊະອານາຈກັ ໄທ |url=https://www.laotradeportal.gov.la/kcfinder/upload/files/Lao-Thai%20Border%20Checkpoint.pdf}}</ref>
=== Permanent border crossings ===
{| class="wikitable"
! rowspan="2" |No
!Laos
! colspan="2" |Thailand
! rowspan="2" |Notes
|-
!Border post
!Border post
!Opening hours
|-
|1
|Houayxay, [[Houayxay|Houayxay District]], [[Bokeo province|Bokeo]]
|Chiang Khong Pier, [[Chiang Khong District]], [[Chiang Rai province|Chiang Rai]]
|0800 - 1800
|'''Ferry border crossing'''.
|-
|2
|Mittaphab 4, Ban Don, [[Houayxay|Houayxay District]], [[Bokeo province|Bokeo]]
|Chiang Khong, [[Chiang Khong District]], [[Chiang Rai province|Chiang Rai]]
|0600 - 2200
|Border across the [[Fourth Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge]].
|-
|3
|Tonpheung, [[Ton Pheung district|Ton Pheung District]], [[Bokeo province|Bokeo]]
|Chiang Saen Pier, [[Chiang Saen district|Chiang Saen District]], [[Chiang Rai province|Chiang Rai]]
|0800 - 1800
|'''Ferry border crossing'''.
|-
|4
|Golden Triangle, [[Ton Pheung district|Ton Pheung District]], [[Bokeo province|Bokeo]]
|Golden Triangle, [[Ban Sop Ruak]], [[Chiang Saen district|Chiang Saen District]], [[Chiang Rai province|Chiang Rai]]
|0600 - 2000
|'''Ferry border crossing'''.
|-
|5
|Pang Mon, [[Khop district|Khop District]], [[Sainyabuli province|Sainyabuli]]
|Ban Huak, [[Phu Sang District]], [[Phayao province|Phayao]]
|0600 - 1800
|
|-
|6
|Ban Nam Ngeun, [[Ngeun district|Ngeun District]], [[Sainyabuli province|Sainyabuli]]
|Ban Huai Kon, [[Chaloem Phra Kiat district, Nan|Chaloem Phra Kiat District]], [[Nan province|Nan]]
|0800 - 2000
|
|-
|7
|Pha Keo, [[Parklai district|Parklai District]], [[Sainyabuli province|Sainyabuli]]
|Phu Doo, [[Ban Khok district|Ban Khok District]], [[Uttaradit province|Uttaradit]]
|0600 - 2000
|
|-
|8
|Nam Hueang, [[Kenethao district|Kenethao District]], [[Sainyabuli province|Sainyabuli]]
|Ban Na Kraseng, [[Tha Li district|Tha Li District]], [[Loei province|Loei]]
|0700 - 1800
|Border across the [[Nam Hueang Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge]].
|-
|9
|Kenethao, [[Kenethao district|Kenethao District]], [[Sainyabuli province|Sainyabuli]]
|Ban Pak Huai, [[Tha Li district|Tha Li District]], [[Loei province|Loei]]
|0800 - 1800
|'''Ferry border crossing'''.
|-
|10
|Xanakharm, [[Xanakharm district|Xanakharm District]], [[Vientiane province|Vientiane Province]]
|Chiang Khan, [[Chiang Khan District]], [[Loei province|Loei]]
|0800 - 1800
|'''Ferry border crossing'''.
|-
|11
|Ban Wang, [[Xanakharm district|Xanakharm District]], [[Vientiane province|Vientiane Province]]
|Ban Khok Phai, [[Pak Chom District]], [[Loei province|Loei]]
|0800 - 1600
|'''Ferry border crossing'''.
|-
|12
|Tha Dua, [[Hadxayfong District]], [[Vientiane Prefecture]]
|Tha Sadet, [[Mueang Nong Khai district|Mueang Nong Khai District]], [[Nong Khai province|Nong Khai]]
|0800 - 1800
|'''Ferry border crossing'''.
|-
|13
|Mittaphab 1, Ban Dongphosy, [[Hadxayfong District]], [[Vientiane Prefecture]]
|Nong Khai, [[Mueang Nong Khai district|Mueang Nong Khai District]], [[Nong Khai province|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 [[Thanaleng railway station]].
|-
|14
|Pakxan Pier, [[Pakxan|Pakxan District]], [[Bolikhamsai province|Bolikhamsai]]
|Bueng Kan Pier, [[Mueang Bueng Kan District]], [[Bueng Kan province|Bueng Kan]]
|0800 - 1800
|'''Ferry border crossing'''.
|-
|15
|Thakhek, [[Thakhek District]], [[Khammouane province|Khammouane]]
|Nakhon Phanom Pier, [[Mueang Nakhon Phanom district|Mueang Nakhon Phanom District]], [[Nakhon Phanom province|Nakhon Phanom]]
|0600 - 1800
|'''Ferry border crossing'''.
|-
|16
|Mittaphab 3, [[Thakhek District]], [[Khammouane province|Khammouane]]
|Nakhon Phanom, [[Mueang Nakhon Phanom district|Mueang Nakhon Phanom District]], [[Nakhon Phanom province|Nakhon Phanom]]
|0600 - 2200
|Border across the [[Third Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge]].
|-
|17
|Xayaphoum Pier, [[Kaysone Phomvihane District]], [[Savannakhet province|Savannakhet]]
|Mukdahan Pier, [[Mueang Mukdahan district|Mueang Mukdahan District]], [[Mukdahan province|Mukdahan]]
|0600 - 1800
|'''Ferry border crossing'''.
|-
|18
|Mittaphab 2, [[Kaysone Phomvihane District]], [[Savannakhet province|Savannakhet]]
|Mukdahan, [[Mueang Mukdahan district|Mueang Mukdahan District]], [[Mukdahan province|Mukdahan]]
|0600 - 2200
|Border across the [[Second Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge]].
|-
|19
|Paktaphan, [[Lakhonepheng district|Lakhonepheng District]], [[Salavan province|Salavan]]
|Ban Pak Saeng, [[Na Tan district|Na Tan District]], [[Ubon Ratchathani province|Ubon Ratchathani]]
|0800 - 1800
|'''Ferry border crossing'''.
|-
|20
|Vang Tao, [[Phonthong district|Phonthong District]], [[Champasak province|Champasak]]
|[[Chong Mek]], [[Sirindhorn District]], [[Ubon Ratchathani province|Ubon Ratchathani]]
|0600 - 2000
|
|}
{{Multiple image
| image1 = Boundary marker of Laos (type 2).svg
| image2 = Boundary marker of Thailand.svg
| width  = 100
| footer = Laotian and Thai boundary markers
}}
=== 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.[[File:The Friendship bridge built with Australian funding and completed and opened in 1994, crossing the Mekong River and connecting Thailand to Laos. (10729190614).jpg|thumb|The [[First Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge|First Thai-Lao Friendship bridge]]]]
== See also ==
* [[Laos–Thailand relations]]
==References==
{{commons category|Laos-Thailand border}}
{{reflist}}
{{Borders of Laos}}
{{Borders of Thailand}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Laos-Thailand border}}
[[Category:Laos–Thailand border| ]]
[[Category:Laos–Thailand relations|border]]
[[Category:Borders of Thailand]]
[[Category:Borders of Laos]]
[[Category:International borders]]