Lakhonepheng district
{{Infobox settlement
|name = Lakhonepheng district
|native_name = {{nobold|ເມືອງລະຄອນເພັງ}}
|native_name_lang = lo
|settlement_type = District
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|image_map = Lakhonepheng District in Laos 2015.svg
|mapsize = 300px
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|subdivision_type = Country
|subdivision_name = Laos
|subdivision_type1 = Province
|subdivision_name1 = Salavan
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| timezone = ICT
| utc_offset = +7
|coordinates = {{coord|15|53|N|105|33|E|display=inline, title}}
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Lakhonepheng (Lao: ລະຄອນເພັງ) is a district (muang) of Salavan province in southern Laos.[http://www.maplandia.com/laos/saravane/lakhonepheng/ Maplandia world gazetteer] Lakhonepheng borders the districts of Khongxedone and Vapy in Salavan province to its south and east, Thapangthong and Songkhone districts in Savannakhet province to its north; it also borders the Mekong River which separates it from Ubom Ratcha province in Thailand in its west.
6th Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge
Plans for a 6th Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge connecting Lakhonepheng with the Thai district of Na Tan in Ubon Ratchathani province originated in 2019.{{Cite news |last= |first= |title=Govt pushes new Thai-Lao bridge plans |url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/1682204/govt-pushes-new-thai-lao-bridge-plans |access-date=2024-02-17 |work=Bangkok Post |language=en}} In 2023 and 2024, talks progressed, with authorities beginning discussions to upgrade checkpoints on both sides. The upgrades will coincide with the bridge's construction, which is expected to begin in 2025 and finish in 2028.{{Cite news |last= |first= |title=Temporary Laos checkpoint set to be permanent |url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2743676/temporary-laos-checkpoint-set-to-be-permanent |access-date=2024-02-17 |work=Bangkok Post |language=en}} It will connect National Highway No. 2112 in Thailand with Highway No. 13 in Laos, and is expected to be {{Convert|1,607|m|yd}} long, with the actual bridge being {{Convert|1,020|m|yd}}.{{Cite web |last=Center |first=Thailand |date=2023-08-03 |title=Getting to Know the 5th and 6th Thai-Lao Friendship Bridges: Linking the Mekong River Basin Economy - THAILAND.GO.TH |url=https://thailand.go.th/issue-focus-detail/001_08_031 |access-date=2024-02-17 |website=SAWASDEE THAILAND - THAILAND.GO.TH |language=en}} Once completed, it will bolster trade between the two countries.