Southeast Asia Information Port News (www.dnyxxg.com) On March 6, 2026, the Bokeo International Airport (BOR) in the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone of Laos officially held its international flight opening ceremony, with the first direct international route to Chiang Mai, Thailand, commencing simultaneously. This marks the Bokeo International Airport's acquisition of international route operation qualifications and signifies that the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone of Laos has officially joined the global civil aviation network, opening a new chapter for regional connectivity.
Laos Deputy Prime Minister Saleumxay Kommasith, former Deputy Prime Minister Somsavat Lengsavad, Minister of Public Works and Transport Lyele Sivilay, Director of the Prime Minister's Office Bokhon Nammavong, Secretary of the Bokeo Provincial Party Committee Benkhon Bouchanphong, Vice Chairman of the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone Management Committee Gao Rong, and President of Golden Triangle Group Co., Ltd. Sun Jie, along with other government and business guests, attended the ceremony and jointly cut the ribbon.
At the ceremony, the Director of the Lao Civil Aviation Authority, Vansay Singkham, presented the international airport certification certificate to the General Manager of Bokeo International Airport, Thianthong Souppha. Subsequently, Lao Minister of Public Works and Transport, Leith Sivilay, solemnly announced that Bokeo Airport had been officially upgraded to an international airport, effective immediately.
High-Standard Infrastructure Strengthens Regional Connectivity Hub
As a landmark project of the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone in response to the "Belt and Road" Initiative and to help Laos transform from a landlocked to a land-linked country, Bokeo International Airport is only 5 kilometers from the core area of the Special Economic Zone. It is Laos' first civilian airport fully invested by a private enterprise and operated under a BOT (Build-Operate-Transfer) model.
Built to ICAO 4C standards, the airport is the third largest airport in Laos. Its 2,500-meter professional runway, coupled with a complete air traffic control and navigation system, can handle the takeoffs and landings of mainstream aircraft such as the Airbus A320 and Boeing B737 around the clock; its fire and rescue level reaches Cat 7, combined with an advanced security inspection system, forming an international security system. The modern terminal building enables efficient operation of domestic and international routes, featuring 18 check-in counters and 2 boarding bridges, with a peak hourly passenger capacity exceeding 630. The terminal is equipped with a 400,000-liter aviation fuel depot, a full range of ground support facilities, and a high-end VIP lounge, ensuring efficient and smooth cross-border travel and providing passengers with a superior waiting experience.
Currently, Lanexang Airways International, Lao Airlines, and Lao Skyway have established operations at the airport. Building on existing routes to Vientiane and Luang Prabang, the airport plans to gradually open domestic routes to destinations such as Huaphan, Xieng Khouang, Savannakhet, and Champasak. Simultaneously, to meet the needs of daily travel and trade, plans are underway to add new international hub cities including Bangkok, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Kunming, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Phnom Penh, and Siem Reap. Inaugural Flight to Chiang Mai Activates Regional Integration Momentum
As the first strategic route after the opening of international air service, the Bokeo-Chiang Mai direct flight has attracted much attention. Chiang Mai is the economic, cultural, and transportation hub of Northern Thailand, boasting mature international tourism infrastructure; the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone is at the forefront of Laos' "reform and opening up," leveraging its unique policy advantages and high-end cultural tourism and health industries to become Laos' most dynamic national-level model special economic zone.
Previously, traveling from the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone to Chiang Mai required crossing the border to Chiang Rai, Thailand, and then transferring by plane or land, a journey that took 5-6 hours and involved cumbersome customs procedures. With the opening of the direct flight, travel time between the two cities has been reduced to approximately 1 hour, significantly improving the convenience of cross-border business and tourism.
In the future, Bokeo International Airport will continue to expand its aviation network, covering Southeast Asia and radiating globally. The Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone will leverage this efficient aviation gateway to further unleash policy dividends, cultivate the high-end health and wellness and leisure tourism industry, showcase a new image of an open, modern, and vibrant special economic zone to the world, and inject strong momentum into the integrated development of the regional economy.
