Udon - Laos Bus Service Strarts In January

[george]

Southern Laos-Thailand bus service between Ubon-Pak Se starts in January

BANGKOK: -- In an attempt to boost mutual benefits from transportation services, tourism and the economy, Thailand and the land-locked neighbouring country of Laos have agreed to start scheduled overland bus transport services between Thailand's northeastern border province of Ubon Ratchathani and the southern Laotian town of Pak Se beginning next January, a senior Thai official

said.

Piyapan Champasut, director general of Thailand's Land Transport Department, said the agreement to open bus services was made during a meeting between senior officials of the two countries held in Pak Se last week.

Under the terms of the agreement, the two countries will provide between four to eight departures per day using two to four buses. In the future buses from Bangkok to Pak Se may be offered.

Mr. Piyapan said officials of the two countries would have to amend bus service fees as Laos now collects several fees--including landing, bus, border and bridge-crossin- fees while Thailand did not charge any additional fee.

He said Laos should consider either waiving or reducing the added fees as much as possible to prevent any impact which may cause on bus fare.

Both sides are also considering opening a new bus service running between Mukdahan province and the Lao province of Savannakhet.

Representatives will discuss this during a meeting in Thailand this December.

Vietnam has asked to expand this route to Hue and Danang port, Mr.Piyapan said, indicating that the three countries are expected to meet on the possibility of creating this route.

Currently, Thailand and Laos provide bus services between Udon Thani and Vientiane, and between Nong Khai and Vientiane.

--TNA 2005-09-25

[chownah]

Does anyone know about the bus from Nong Khai to Vientienne? I've never heard of it before.

[Totster]

Does anyone know about the bus from Nong Khai to Vientienne?  I've never heard of it before.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

As far as I know it leaves from Udon Thani and goes via Nong Khai across the Friendship bridge and into Vientiane.

totster

[threelegcowboy]

All,

International bus between Udon/NK and Laos. There are two separate bus schedules from NongKhi/Udon into Vienchien. The Udon bus goes direct and does not stop at bus station in NongKai etc.

Here it is guys.....

Bus leaves from Udon main bus station something like 7:30AM, 8:30AM and 11:30AM and stops at bridge to let everyone do the paper work. The bus then proceeds into Vienchien main bus staion. All this for 80B.

Return from Vienchien (can not remember the times) about three times a day and does the reverse same same to Udon. If you are doing a boarder run then go on into Vienchien and do a couple hours shopping at the Green Top shopping area (Main Market) next door. Then go back on the same International bus. If you dont do this then you will save very few minutes and spend alot more for tuk tuks etc.

If they give you a problem at the bus station in Udon about not having a visa, tell them you get a visa on arrival. The bus ticket guys are not trained as to which countrys etc get visa on arrival. Sometimes they pass out the forms on the bus.

As I understand it the Nong Kai International does the same service and leaves from Main Bus Station in Downtown NongKai.

Make a run for the border!

LLL