From TNA.
Thailand-Laos rail service begins in late April
BANGKOK, March 1 (TNA) – Rail service between Thailand and neighbouring Laos will start late this April, and the Thai Ministry of Transport is confident that the direct link will further enhance tourism and trade between the two countries.
Chaisawat Kittipornpaiboon, Thailand's permanent secretary for Transport, said the rail lines of the two countries were connected on the Thai-Lao 'Mitraphab' Friendship Bridge in the Thai border province of Nong Khai on February 20.
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) plans to begin its rail services to Laos around late April, said Mr. Chaisawat.
Construction of the rail line from the middle of the bridge to Tanalaeng in Laos has taken 18 months and is due to be completed next month as the SRT has also installed a traffic control system and telecommunication facilities.
Initially, two passenger train services from Bangkok-Nong Khai-Ban Thanaleng will be operated while a special ticket between Nong Khai and Ban Thanaleng will be issued for tourists. (TNA)-E111
Thailand-Laos rail service begins in late April.
- beer monkey
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Thailand-Laos rail service begins in late April.
- arjay
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I can see this coming! The train will only be for Thai and Lao people, possibly farangs who have a visa in advance.
All stop and get off at the bridge/station to go through Immigration (big queue), whilst they search the train inside and out. Then the train moves on to the other side, and do it all again (another big queue)!!
All stop and get off at the bridge/station to go through Immigration (big queue), whilst they search the train inside and out. Then the train moves on to the other side, and do it all again (another big queue)!!
- beer monkey
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of course, the comedy here is that the Thai rails went to the center of the bridge since it opened in 1994. The original "completion date" for the lao side rails was way way back in 97-98.. It was re-visited numerous times over the intervening years with nothing done.. Also, ThanaLaeng is only 5km past the bridge so what's the point of anyone taking a train a mere 5km past the bridge?? If it was finished all they way into Vientiane and Thai immigration was present at the Vientiane station to "stamp-in" all passengers, it would work.. I'm sure that when the train starts running it will be a horrendous goat rope at immigration.
I'd say that the key use of the tracks might be moving fuel tanker cars into Laos since the Lao main fuel storage areas are near the bridge. Moving the fuel in bulk will certainly save the time and money of individual fuel tank trucks bringing it over
I'd say that the key use of the tracks might be moving fuel tanker cars into Laos since the Lao main fuel storage areas are near the bridge. Moving the fuel in bulk will certainly save the time and money of individual fuel tank trucks bringing it over
Dave
First test run of Thai-Lao train successful
NONG KHAI: -- The State Railway of Thailand on Friday successfully completed a first test run of train service linking Nong Khai to Vientiane, Laos.
The 3.5-kilometer railway is expected to inaugurate the international service in August. The inauguration service will be presided over by HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.
Thai and Lao authorities plan test-run services twice per day until July 15. The train fares will range from Bt50 to Bt20 per passenger.
-- The Nation 2008-07-04