- SilkRoad: Thailand’s SRT to launch train service between Bangkok city and Vientiane city of Laos on July 19, 2024.
- Bangkok-Vientiane Railway connectivity initiative will establish Thailand as a central hub for tourism and logistics in the Asian region
- Train lovers in the region are excited about the new rail service set to begin in the future.
- The journey time from Bangkok to Laos is expected to be around 10 hours.
- First phase of the high-speed line between Thailand and China is expected to open in 2028.
By: Muhammad Arif, Editor NSN.Asia
Bangkok: The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) will start a new railroad connectivity project, linking Thai capital,Bangkok, with Vientiane , capital of Laos on next Friday, (July 19th, 2024).
The inaugural train to the Lao capital will depart Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Station at 8.30pm on July 19, with Deputy Minister of Transport Surapong Piyachote presiding over the launch and joining the journey.
SRT said that the online booking system opened at 9 am for the people who want to experience the new train service.
The train service officers three classes of ticket: 3rd class, priced at 281 baht for a single trip, 2nd class (air-conditioned) at 574 baht and the sleeper class, priced at 784 baht for the upper bunk and 874 baht for the lower bunk.
As regards, departure and arrival, the train will leave Bang Sue terminal at 9.25pm and arrive at Nong Khai province at 7.55am of the following morning.
The train will stop for immigration procedures for about 40 minutes, before departing for Vientiane, arriving at 9.05am.
SRT officials said that passengers will go through two sets of immigration checks, one at Nong Khai station and the other at Vientiane Khamsavath station.
Passengers who want to board the Chinese high-speed train, bound for Kunming, will have to travel to that train station, which is about 16km from Vientiane Khamsavath station.
People travelling in Laos can now use the Bank of Ayudhya app, instead of cash, to make many types of payment.
In the fourth quarter, they will also be able to use the Bangkok Bank, Krung Thai and Kasikorn bank applications for buying tickets.
The journey time from Bangkok to Laos is expected to be around 10 hours.
STATE Railway of Thailand (SRT) has provided training for Lao railway staff in areas including operations, station management and ticket retailing. A trial run from Udon Thani to and Vientiane via Nong Khai and Thanalaeng was successfully completed in May.
SRT officials stated that the new service is an extension of existing Bangkok – Nong Khai trains running on the metre-gauge line between the two countries.
The first phase of the high-speed line between Thailand and China is expected to open in 2028.
This Railway connectivity initiative aligns with the Thai government’s “Ignite Thailand” policy, which aims to establish Thailand as a central hub for tourism and logistics in the Asian region.
