Cross-Border Thai–Lao Freight Train Launched

The train departs Nong Khai railway station on the Thai side close to the border with Laos and then crosses the First Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge over Mekong to reach Tha Na Laeng railway station in Laos, some 20 km east of the Lao capital of Vientiane.

The launch of the freight train follows the bilateral plans of developing trade and commercial relations between the two countries and the Greater Mekong Sub-region in general. At the moment four daily trains are scheduled.

Before, the cross-border train link was only used for passenger traffic. The line is 3.5 km long and is a convenient alternative for travellers reaching Nong Khai from Bangkok by train and heading further over the border to Laos. The shuttle Nong Khai–Tha Na Laeng train runs twice a day and costs mere THB20. All immigration formalities for entering Laos including visa-on-arrival services are available at Tha Na Laeng station where there is an immigration booth open for arrival of each train. While the station itself is in the middle of nowhere, there are tuk-tuks waiting for passengers. In media, a trip to Vientiane should cost THB75 per person in a shared vehicle.

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