Thailand and Laos are set to inaugurate a groundbreaking new railway network connecting Bangkok and Vientiane. This comes as a result of extensive planning and collaboration between the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) and Lao National Railways, with a trial run scheduled for later this month, according to official announcements.

 

The railway initiative aims to dramatically improve connectivity for travellers and facilitate the seamless movement of goods between the two nations, thereby positioning Thailand as a critical logistics hub in Southeast Asia.

 

SRT Deputy Governor Awirut Thongnet and Lao National Railways Managing Director Daochinda Siharath held meetings from June 5 to June 8 to iron out final details for the train service launch. The service will run between Bangkok’s Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Station and Vientiane’s Khamsavath, as stated by Ekkarat Sriarayanpong, head of the SRT governor’s office.

 

Deputy Transport Minister Surapong Piyachote emphasised the need for thorough preparation on the part of the SRT for the project’s official launch, expected next month, Ekkarat added.

 

The operational plan for the Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Station-Udon Thani-Nong Khai-Vientiane route was thoroughly discussed by Awirut and Daochinda. A trial run for the service is slated for June 13 and 14.

 

Also on the agenda were strategies for tourism market development, advertising, public relations, and more efficient goods transport between Thailand, Laos, and China. A dedicated team has been established to manage cross-border logistics.

 

To ensure smooth execution, SRT has provided training to Lao railway staff in areas such as train operations, station management, and ticket sales.

 

A previous trial service between Udon Thani, Nong Khai, Thanalaeng, and Vientiane stations on May 21 was a success. Ekkarat highlighted that this move signifies strengthened cooperation between Thailand and Laos, with current services extending to Thanalaeng Station in Laos. Extending the line to Vientiane is anticipated to yield significant economic benefits.

 

Picture courtesy: Phrachachat

 

-- 2024-06-10

 

Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

What sort of train are they using?

Soon to be extended to China I'm sure.

 

How is the border crossing/immigration stuff handled?

1 hour ago, Deserted said:

What sort of train are they using?

 

2 hours ago, Deserted said:

What sort of train are they using?

Hogwarts express 4.0

Still no long-stay visas or extensions for Laos or has that changed.?

30 minutes ago, saintdomingo said:

Still no long-stay visas or extensions for Laos or has that changed.?

Who on earth would want to stay long term in Lao?

Just for the fun of it I took the high speed line built by the Chinese that goes from Vientiane to the Chinese border.  I did not go the whole way.  I went to Luang Prabang in Laos.  Train travels at 155 KPH which is around 96 MPH.  The last 35 - 40% of the ride went through 35 tunnels.  Some tunnels took 3 minutes plus to get through.  At 96 MPH, they were long tunnels.  You would see a flash of daylight and right back into another tunnel.  The two day stay a Luang Prabang was OK too.  Had a piece of the best cheesecake ever at a coffee shop.  Spoke with the owner and asked if this a was a French style cheesecake and he told me that it was his own recipe.

3 hours ago, Deserted said:

What sort of train are they using?

For a change I would expect that the picture is related to the article?

Dump question.

Will that go through Khon Kaen so that a proper train to Bangkok is in sight?

I had given to see that in my lifetime.

Excellent development.

I see it's roughly 600 kms between Bangkok and Vientiane. A journey time of around 4 hours would be a game changer.

The problem is that per km rail travel unsubsidised is generally more expensive than air travel. Will be interesting to see how tickets are priced

3 hours ago, Deserted said:

What sort of train are they using?

A very OLD and SLOW one  

the seamless movement of goods between the two nations

 

So are passengers now classed as "goods" ?

cool news. Good job

1 hour ago, ChrisY1 said:

Who on earth would want to stay long term in Lao?

I very nearly did 25 years ago, always liked Vientiane but the longest I've managed is 2 weeks. I've only been once since the Chinese took over, could do with another look.

You may have a point it could wear thin after a while it is a smallish place but I did last a good few years in the Nakhon.

1 hour ago, thaipo7 said:

Just for the fun of it I took the high speed line built by the Chinese that goes from Vientiane to the Chinese border.  I did not go the whole way.  I went to Luang Prabang in Laos.

How many hours did it take to get to Luang Prabang?

So where will the immigration check points be ? Just over the bridge or actually in Vientiane ?  Immigration officers could board the train as they used to on the Tran Siberian but TIT and I foresee a complete stuff up. the rail line already goes over the bridge it just need to join up with the Chinese one. No details on how long the train will take or stops on the way, or as I have already said passing through immigration checks. I doubt any of this has been even thought through TIT.

 

5 hours ago, Deserted said:

What sort of train are they using?

 

Likely old style locomotives not like the ones in the pictures.

 

I started out as a section man for a big canadian railway, then i became a conductor. No way in hell do i trust the tracks nir the trains/locomotives here

5 hours ago, Deserted said:

What sort of train are they using?

Maybe this one  Choo choo, and the rail that already exists, just add a set of points

 

 

 

There have been that many record breaking new train services announced over the last few years that Nong Khai station must be looking like the country end of Clapham Junction!

2 hours ago, ChrisY1 said:

Who on earth would want to stay long term in Lao?

Got trapped for 7 months in Vientiane by COVID. Not good.  Not the most interesting city on the planet although food was good & very very cheap.

2 hours ago, Spilornis said:

Excellent development.

I see it's roughly 600 kms between Bangkok and Vientiane. A journey time of around 4 hours would be a game changer.

The problem is that per km rail travel unsubsidised is generally more expensive than air travel. Will be interesting to see how tickets are priced

Nonsese....train tickets cost a fraction of flight tickets

33 minutes ago, ujayujay said:

Nonsese....train tickets cost a fraction of flight tickets

Have a look at the UK US or Australia where long distance train travel is not subsidized. They are often a factor of two or three times the price of a cheap discounted airfare. Railway maintenance isn't cheap.

In Malaysia Air Asia is often under the price of the train on the KL-Penang route and in Malaysia the price is subsidized.

Kolkata to Dhaka train is about the same as the airfare whereas a train within India is very cheap.

Someone pays in the end... the passenger or the taxpayer

7 minutes ago, Spilornis said:

Have a look at the UK US or Australia where long distance train travel is not subsidized. They are often a factor of two or three times the price of a cheap discounted airfare. Railway maintenance isn't cheap.

In Malaysia Air Asia is often under the price of the train on the KL-Penang route and in Malaysia the price is subsidized.

Kolkata to Dhaka train is about the same as the airfare whereas a train within India is very cheap.

Someone pays in the end... the passenger or the taxpayer

But this is about THAILAND ! 

4 hours ago, ChrisY1 said:

Who on earth would want to stay long term in Lao?

I've had two friends that have lived in Laos for long periods of time.  One moved there from Bangkok in the late 70's and stayed there until he passed away in 2015.  The other has been there about 8 years after living in Bangkok for 20 years.  Although I enjoy going to Laos I can't imagine myself living there.  

seems like good news. was planning on getting the Vientiane-Xishuangbanna train next Spring so this will help if it runs

4 hours ago, Bobsuruncle said:

How many hours did it take to get to Luang Prabang?

Vientiane to Vang Vieng one hour. Vientiane to Luang Prabang two hours. 

 

Download the Lao China Railway app to buy digital QR code tickets. 

5 hours ago, animalmagic said:

That's British Rail? The Chinese do trains better than the West these days.

10 hours ago, webfact said:

to dramatically improve connectivity for travellers and facilitate the seamless movement of goods between the two nations,

 

The photo above is confusing - it is a Chinese HST.

Please remember this new service is NOT the High Speed Train. All standard gauge HSTs from China terminate in Vientiane. 

This is the completion of a new metre gauge (narrow) connection between Nong Khai and Vientiane, linking Thanaleng (Laos) with Vientiane. There is a current metre gauge train service between Nong Khai and Thanaleng. It will be many years before HSTs will be running from China to Bangkok via Vientiane.

 

 

Picture of SRT train at Thanaleng in Laos awaiting departure for Nong Khai -

 

 

 

Immigration Office at Nong Khai Station

 

 

https://www.thailandtrains.com/train-travel-from-vientiane-to-nong-khai/

 

This new link will mean Container (Goods) trains will be able to run through to/from Bangkok and Vientiane on metre (narrow) gauge tracks.

Picture of an SRT Container train -