Nong Khai to Loa, New train crossing

[Dr Mick 111]

Well wonder if falangs can use this for doing a visa run now?

I wonder where the passport control checks will be carried out?

I will have no trouble with Loa Visa as I will obtain mine in Khon Kaen before setting up.

 

Will have to do a visa run in May ,so will check this out ,

 

Sure bet the Tuk Tuk drivers in Nong Khai not to happy about this

 

 

Thai-Lao rail service commences

By: BangkokPost.com

Published: 5/03/2009 at 08:54 AM Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn presided over the inauguration of the rail service linking Thanaleng train station in Laos and Nong Khai province in Thailand at 7.45am on Thursday.

 

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and Lao Deputy Prime Minister Boonyoung Worlajit also attended.

 

State Railway of Thailand (SRT) governor Yutthana Thapcharoen said about 500 passengers were expected to use this 3.5-kilometre rail service on a daily basis. The train will make four round trips a day over the Mekong river. A third-class ticket costs 20 baht and second-class 80 baht, he said.

 

If citizens from either country do not have a passport to ask for a visa, they can ask checkpoint officials for a temporary border pass, he said.

 

The SRT and Laos have agreed to extend the rail service from Thanaleng to Vientiane in the future, the governor added.

[ozijeff 9]

Trying to think back Mick. Where is the railway bridge over the Mekong?

 

Cant remember seeing one being built last May.

[thegrogmonster 145]

Trying to think back Mick. Where is the railway bridge over the Mekong?

 

Cant remember seeing one being built last May.

 

 

The railway line uses the existing Friendship bridge. The rail has been installed into the surface of the bridge since at least 2002 but was probably put there when the bridge was built

Edited March 5, 2009 by thegrogmonster

[ozijeff 9]

Thanks Groggy. I have visited NK but I didnt bother to go up on the bridge.

[JohnnyK 28]

It won't change anything to do with visas. The train will simply deposit you on the other side of the bridge. One day perhaps they will extend the line to Vientiane, until then there is really not much different.