Thai-Lao Railway Service
BANGKOK, March 1 (TNA) – Rail service between
Thailand and neighbouring Laos will start late this April,
and the Thai Ministry of Transport is confident that the
direct link will further enhance tourism and trade between
the two countries.
Chaisawat Kittipornpaiboon, Thailand's permanent
secretary for Transport, said the rail lines of the two
countries were connected on the Thai-Lao 'Mitraphab' Friendship
Bridge in the Thai border province of Nong Khai on February
20. The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) plans to begin
its rail services to Laos around late April, said Mr.
Chaisawat.
Construction of the rail line from the middle
of the bridge to Tanalaeng in Laos has taken 18 months
and is due to be completed next month as the SRT has also
installed a traffic control system and telecommunication
facilities. Initially, two passenger train services from
Bangkok-Nong Khai-Ban Thanaleng will be operated while
a special ticket between Nong Khai and Ban Thanaleng will
be issued for tourists. (TNA)-E111
