The state-owned Transport Co is set to restart the Udon Thani-Nong Khai-Vang Vieng bus service in November 2024, resuming cross-border travel between Thailand and Laos that was halted due to the pandemic.
Vang Vieng, located in the Vientiane province of Laos, is a well-known tourist destination famous for its stunning natural landscapes, including limestone cliffs and caves. The decision to resume this service was reached following a meeting of Thai and Lao land transport officials in Vientiane on September 4-5, according to Atthawit Rakchamroon, acting general manager of Transport Co.
The revived bus route will run from Udon Thani airport, passing through Nong Khai province before reaching Vang Vieng. The relaunch is expected to facilitate convenient connections between Udon Thani airport and the Sino-Lao high-speed railway, providing smoother travel for both local and international passengers.
Initially launched in 2012, the Udon Thani-Nong Khai-Vang Vieng route was suspended in 2020 due to the global Covid-19 pandemic, alongside other transnational bus services. Since then, Transport Co has gradually reopened nine routes connecting Thailand and Laos. In 2022, nine of these routes were reinstated, including popular connections such as Nong Khai-Vientiane and Bangkok-Pakse.
Currently, the company operates 92 daily bus trips along these routes, serving approximately 3,000 passengers. The routes offer transport between key Thai and Lao cities such as Ubon Ratchathani-Pakse, Nakhon Phanom-Thakhek, and Bangkok-Vientiane.
Looking ahead, Mr. Atthawit revealed that Transport Co has plans to introduce five additional routes to Laos. These will include services from Chiang Mai to Boten, and from Pattaya to Pakse, Vientiane, and Savannakhet, further expanding the network of transnational bus services in the region. The addition of these routes aims to enhance cross-border connectivity and promote tourism and economic exchange between Thailand and Laos.
In his remarks, Mr. Atthawit emphasized the company’s commitment to restoring and expanding these international routes, which are seen as critical in boosting travel, trade, and tourism between the two neighboring countries.
Attending the meeting were representatives from both the Thai and Lao governments, underscoring the collaborative efforts to revive cross-border travel.
