Get Ready to Pack Your Bags! Train Service from Bangkok Apiwat to Vientiane Begins This July
Source: IQ InfoQuest News Agency
Date: Saturday, June 8, 2024, 11:03 AM
InfoQuest News Agency (June 8, 2024)
Mr. Avirut Thongnet, Deputy Governor of the State Railway of Thailand (SRT), led an SRT delegation to meet with the Lao National Railways (LNR) to prepare for the launch of a train service between Bangkok Apiwat Central Station and Vientiane (Khamsavath) Station in July. This initiative aims to enhance travel connectivity and freight transport between the two countries, as well as elevate the region's logistics system, with Thailand positioned as a central hub in line with the government's IGNITE THAILAND policy.
Mr. Ekarach Sriarayanpong, Head of the Governors Office at SRT, revealed that Mr. Avirut Thongnet's meeting with the LNR was part of a comprehensive preparation plan for the full-scale launch of the train service in July, as directed by Mr. Surapong Piyachot, Deputy Minister of Transport. The meeting focused on four main areas:
1. The plan to launch the train service between Bangkok Apiwat Central Station, Udon Thani, Nong Khai, and Vientiane (Khamsavath), including a trial run scheduled for July 13-14, 2024.
2. Development of the tourism market.
3. Advertising and public relations plans.
4. Enhancing freight transport capabilities between Thailand, Laos, and China, which includes establishing a joint working group to discuss cross-border freight transportation. The SRT has been assisting LNR staff with operational training, including train drivers, station staff, and ticket sales personnel.
Additionally, there was a successful test run of the train between Udon Thani, Nong Khai, Thanalaeng, and Vientiane (Khamsavath) stations, completed on May 21, 2024.
Mr. Ekarach stated that the launch of the Bangkok Apiwat Central Station-Udon Thani-Nong Khai-Vientiane (Khamsavath) train service represents a significant expansion of cooperation between the two countries. Currently, trains run up to Thanalaeng Station in Laos. Extending the service to Vientiane (Khamsavath) will bring substantial economic, trade, and tourism benefits.
Passengers arriving by plane at Udon Thani Airport can transfer directly to Vientiane without needing other transport modes, enhancing the logistics systems of both countries. This aligns with the IGNITE THAILAND policy, which aims to position Thailand as a regional tourism and logistics hub.
This video is about the new Vientiane Khamsavath railway station and the plan to open a train service between Bangkok and Vientiane.
The video starts by showing the new Vientiane Khamsavath station. The station has two floors and two platforms and can accommodate 7,500 passengers per day. This station is brand new and is part of the Laos-Thailand railway project. The plan is to start train services between Bangkok's central station, Ayutthaya, Udon Thani, Nong Khai, and Vientiane Khamsavath. There has been a test run from Udon Thani to Nong Khai, then to the pier, and Vientiane Khamsavath. The test run was successful.
People on social media in Laos are excited about this new train service. Some people commented that this project will help strengthen the relationship between the two countries and make travel and business more convenient. Some people asked questions about travel time and ticket prices. There has been no official announcement of travel time and ticket prices yet. Currently, it costs about 900 baht to travel by bus from Bangkok to Vientiane, which takes overnight. The train journey may be slower because the train has to go to Nong Khai first, then passengers have to take a bus to get to the center of Vientiane. However, the new Vientiane Khamsavath station is located next to the city center, so passengers can easily take a taxi or ride-hailing service to their destination. Some people plan to travel from Bangkok to Vientiane by train, then to Luang Prabang by train, and then fly back to Thailand. There is also talk of a possible train journey from Luang Prabang to Kunming in China.
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