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[Kaoboi Bebobp]

Looks like SRT will extend its Bangkok-Nong Kai service to Tha Leng, Laos in March, according to the seat61.com website, a very thorough and helpful site for Thai train service. (I wanted to list the source of this and hope it's not against TV rules about websites.)

Nothing on the site's update about whether you need a Lao visa beforehand or whether Lao immigration is onsite. Here's the direct web link for the Lao rail link info

[abdulrahman]

Kaoboi Bebobp, on 2009-02-16 14:07:00, said:

Looks like SRT will extend its Bangkok-Nong Kai service to Tha Leng, Laos in March, according to the seat61.com website, a very thorough and helpful site for Thai train service. (I wanted to list the source of this and hope it's not against TV rules about websites.)

They begun to speak about the link 4 years ago.Or it was 12 years ago,when they first opened the bridge?
I'll believe it when I see it!

[Ratsima]

I just drove over that bridge last week. It's going to be really hairy when there is a train on it. It's actually rather narrow, with the tracks going down the middle and then crossing over the road when it leaves the bridge. As of then, there were no lights, crossing gates or other warning devices in place. Sounds exciting, but I guess it will only be a couple of times per day.

[sabaijai]

Kaoboi Bebobp, on 2009-02-16 07:07:00, said:

Looks like SRT will extend its Bangkok-Nong Kai service to Tha Leng, Laos in March, according to the seat61.com website, a very thorough and helpful site for Thai train service. (I wanted to list the source of this and hope it's not against TV rules about websites.)

Nothing on the site's update about whether you need a Lao visa beforehand or whether Lao immigration is onsite. Here's the direct web link for the Lao rail link info

Correction: Tha Naleng on the Lao side

[jamesjdaly]

Before:
*Tuk tuk from NK station to Friendship bridge
*Bus from Thai immi to Lao immi
*Taxi/bus to Vientiane

Soon:
*Taxi/bus to Vientiane from Tha Na Leng station

Much better!!

[abdulrahman]

jamesjdaly, on 2009-02-16 20:38:00, said:

Before:
*Tuk tuk from NK station to Friendship bridge
*Bus from Thai immi to Lao immi
*Taxi/bus to Vientiane

Soon:
*Taxi/bus to Vientiane from Tha Na Leng station

Much better!!

Now:
Tuk-tuk OR Bus from NK Station to Friendship bridge OR to Vientiane
Bus from Thai Imm to Lao Imm
Bus or Tuk-Tuk to Vientane
Later:
Train to somewhere,Visa service available? Not sure yet
Tuk-tuk,maybe bus to Vientiane,Taxi,of course
Much better? Lets see it!

[Thanyaburi Mac]

abdulrahman, on 2009-02-16 14:23:25, said:

Kaoboi Bebobp, on 2009-02-16 14:07:00, said:

Looks like SRT will extend its Bangkok-Nong Kai service to Tha Leng, Laos in March, according to the seat61.com website, a very thorough and helpful site for Thai train service. (I wanted to list the source of this and hope it's not against TV rules about websites.)

They begun to speak about the link 4 years ago.Or it was 12 years ago,when they first opened the bridge?
I'll believe it when I see it!

FYI, there was "land speculation" on the proposed routing of the rail connection to Vientiane itself back in the 1960s, so this current stop at Thannaleng is just a start. Perhaps one day you'll be able to go all the way in via rail.

Mac

[Kaoboi Bebobp]

sabaijai, on 2009-02-16 18:06:52, said:

Kaoboi Bebobp, on 2009-02-16 07:07:00, said:

Looks like SRT will extend its Bangkok-Nong Kai service to Tha Leng, Laos in March, according to the seat61.com website, a very thorough and helpful site for Thai train service. (I wanted to list the source of this and hope it's not against TV rules about websites.)

Nothing on the site's update about whether you need a Lao visa beforehand or whether Lao immigration is onsite. Here's the direct web link for the Lao rail link info

Correction: Tha Naleng on the Lao side

Thanks for the name correction. Tha Naleng.

It would be cool to get on the train at Udon Thani, after flying in, and take it across the border. Should be quite economical. But the question over the Lao visa/immigration issue remains.

[Nostraforce]

Yes, Lao news media reported last week the Vientiane - Nong Khai ticket price is going to be 50 baht, 30 baht and 20 baht for the first, second and third class.

Quote

Thanks for the name correction. Tha Naleng.

It would be cool to get on the train at Udon Thani, after flying in, and take it across the border. Should be quite economical. But the question over the Lao visa/immigration issue remains.

Edited by Nostraforce, 2009-03-07 19:40:08.

[Kaoboi Bebobp]

The rail link was officially opened yesterday, Friday, by Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn. Here is the Bangkok Post report ; the Nation's report was pathetic.

You'd think English-speaking papers would at least tell foreigners what the visa situation is in terms of the train service. Anyone? (Yes, I know you need a visa, but can you get it at Nong Khai station? Border? On arrival in Thanaleng?)

Edited by Kaoboi Bebobp, 2009-03-07 20:14:06.

[BigSnake]

A little train ride to Laos will be on the list of things to do next time in Nong Khai. Sounds like a great way to cross that old Mekong River. Maybe in the future that will have a special train that stop mid river for a bit of fishing, yeah right when cows fly

[Nostraforce]

Well it´s funny as Khaosan Pathet Lao reports 50 baht, 30 baht and 20 baht for the first, second and third class and in Bangkok Post the State Railway of Thai+and governer says ´A third-class ticket costs 20 baht and second-class 80 baht´

[davejonesbkk]

Hi there, I want to make a visa trip to Vientianne tomorrow from Bkk. So I can take this train direct to Tha Leng? What about entering Laos regarding visa?

Also I once took a night train from Bkk to Surathani a few years ago at night and I had a 1st class room which cost about 1k baht, it's just 2 people per room and was a good deal and comfortable, are these 1st class rooms available on the train to Laos also?