Lao-Thai Railways Passenger Train Info by Hobo Maps - - - HOME

Great news for railway travel between Laos and Thailand as the rail line extension from Thanaleng Station to the new Khamsavath Station in Vientiane is about to open for passenger travel according to announcements on Jan. 25, 2024 by State Railway of Thailand. They are hoping to open an additional line extension in Thailand from Nong Khai to Bangkok by May 2024 which means passengers could board a train at Khamsavath Station and travel direct to Bangkok. Streamlined single-stop border crossing immigration procedures are also hoped to be implemented.

In the next phase the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) would extend the route from Nong Khai to Udon Thani and Nakhon Ratchasima stations. The last phase would see the route further extended to Bang Sue Grand Station in Bangkok when Thai sleeper trains would start their trips at Khamsavath Station and travel to Bangkok overnight.

It is hoped that single cross-border immigration procedures will be implemented for passenger convenience and to save time.

The extension project was funded by Thailand under a combination of a grant and a low-interest loan through the Neighboring Countries Economic Development Cooperation Agency (NEDA) with a total value of THB 900 million. The station has two platforms running along a 1-meter gauge track.

Khamsavath Station images below.

The Lao-Thailand railway connections will be a boon for tourists and cross-border trade for the two countries. The Thailand-Laos rail line involves four stations – Na Tha and Nong Khai in Thailand and Thanaleng and Khamsavath in Vientiane Province Laos. The route also runs by the Thanaleng Dry Port container yard and Vientiane Logistics Park.

Map below shows the railway station locations and the new connecting line from Thanaleng Station in red color. The green-colored rail line shows the wider 1.435 meter wide rail line used by the fast train Lao-China Railway system.

Image below shows passenger railway carriages already in service between Nong Khai and Thanaleng Station but different Thai locomotives and carriages are expected to be used to meet increased passenger demand when Khamsavath Station is fully operational .

Thanaleng Passenger Station Details

The original 3.5 km Nong Khai to Thanaleng railway line was completed in 2008 and officially opened for service in March 2009 via the Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge.

There are tuk-tuks and minivans waiting at Thanaleng station for the twice-daily arrival of trains. Passengers are advised to take one of these minivan or tuk-tuk services or risk being stuck at Thanaleng Railway Station which is pretty much in the middle of nowhere. For departures the ticket counter opens about 1 hour before the two daily trains are scheduled to depart. Tickets cost 20 Thai baht or the equivalent in Lao Kip.

Before departing from Thanaleng Station you need to get an exit stamp out of Laos. The immigration desk is opposite the ticket counter inside the main station building. If you fail to get an exit stamp out of Laos you can not pass through Thai immigration control at Nong Khai Railway Station and will not be allowed into Thailand. You will need to return to Thanaleng Station on the next train to get your exit stamp out of Laos.

Image below shows Thanaleng railway Station.

Thanaleng-Nong Khai Railway Jan. 2024 timetable below includes sleeper train transfer info.

Trains from Thanaleng Railway Station currently only travel to Nong Khai Train Station in Thailand where passengers can change to services on Thailand’s railway network. Direct trains to Bangkok depart from Nong Khai Train Station.

Nong Khai Railway Station image below.

Lao National Railway Authority seems to be in charge of developing and operating railway lines in Laos other than the Lao-China fast train system which is managed by Laos-China Railway Co., Ltd.

State Railway of Thailand and Lao Railway Authority made an agreement in 2022 that Khamsavath Station will function as an International Station and Lao Railway Authority has sent their train operators, maintenance staff and related officials to receive training on driving and maintaining Thai Railway locomotives and equipment.

Prior to the start of the Laos-China Railway system fast trains in late 2021 the only railway passenger train service in Laos was the short 3.5 km line from Thanaleng Station near the Mekong in Vientiane Province to Nong Khai Thailand across the Friendship Bridge. Thailand has been eager to extend this passenger line further into Laos closer to central Vientiane by funding the construction of an additional 7.5 km of tracks from Thanaleng Station to the new Khamsavath Station closer to central Vientiane.