Udon to Vientiane bus service resumes - only 11 passengers but it'll pick up as tourists find out

[webfact]

Picture: Siam Rath

 

Siam Rath reported that the bus service from Udon Thani to the Laotian Capital Vientiane started again yesterday morning after it was cancelled during the pandemic. 

 

But the first trip at 8am yesterday had just 11 passengers.

 

Bus station mistress Malee Bunsanguanchai said that travellers had probably not heard it was running aagain and it was bound to pick up soon.

 

She said there would be three trips each way daily. From Udon the times are 8am, 11.30 am and 3 pm. From Vientiane the return trips to Thailand are at 10.30 am, 3pm and 6 pm. It costs just 80 baht.

 

The Laotians are not yet ready to start their own service.

 

Joe, 40 a Thai man who has a business in Xiangkhouang province in Laos, said he was stuck there in the pandemic unable to visit his parents in Korat.

 

But now the bus service was very convenient for him, he'd be taking it to Vientiane then getting on other transport to Xiangkhouang. 

 

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[JoePai]

Will be better after July 1st when no Thailand Pass is required

[Burma Bill]

Udon Thani to Vientiane for 80 baht - brilliant!!!!

[KhunLA]

Do they still require foreigners to have their Laos visa before boarding bus 'to' Vientiane.  As use to be the policy in the pass.   If they'd sell you a ticket, you then had to get the visa at the Laos border, which case, they would not wait for you to get processed if not ready when they were.

 

Leaving you at the border, although, still, if they took you at all, one of the best and cheapest ways to get to the Laos border.

 

I've been all 3, denied a ticket, taken and left there, along with processed fast, and made it into town, maybe twice out of 10 or 15 times.  Tuk tuks, taxis, and actually a local bus was available on the Laos side to take you into town.

 

When things pick up, you usually had to plan on taking the 'next' bus, as they sold out fast.   Returning was never problem, back then anyway, as if not doing a 90 day turn around, you were coming back on a visa exempt.  Or had you TV or 0 visa from the embassy.  Now not sure what is required to return to TH.

 

Weekends and I think, last bus of the night, the bus attendant  use to ask for 20 baht from all the passengers, for OT pay ... ????