Khamsavath railway station explained

Vientiane (Khamsavath)
Native Name:ວຽງຈັນ (ຄໍາສະຫວາດ)
Native Name Lang:lao
Style:SRT
Style2:Khamsavath
Address:Nonvai village, Xaysetha district
Borough:Vientiane prefecture
Country:Laos
Operator:State Railway of Thailand
Manager:Lao National Railway State Enterprise[1]
Transit Authority:Ministry of Public Works and Transport
Line:Northeastern Line
Platforms:3
Tracks:4
Connections:Bus Route 12 (Central Bus Station/Lao China Railway Station)
Structure:At-grade
Levels:2
Parking:Yes
Accessible:No Level Boarding
Opened:31 October 2023 (official)
19 July 2024 (first services)
Status:Staffed
Map Type:Laos
Map Dot Label:Khamsavath station
Map Size:250px

Khamsavath railway station, also known as Vientiane (Khamsavath) railway station and Vientiane-Tai railway station is a railway station located in Nonvai Village, Xaysetha district, Vientiane prefecture, Laos.[2] It is the second railway station serving Vientiane on the State Railway of Thailand's Northeastern Line, located at 7.5 km (4.7 mi) from the former terminus, Thanaleng station, providing a direct railway connection to Bangkok.

History

Construction began on 1 October 2019, with plans of completion by 2021, but was pushed back to May 2023 due to delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.[3] The station was officially opened on 31 October 2023, by Lao president Thongloun Sisoulith and Thai prime minister Srettha Thavisin.[4] [5] [6] [7]

Direct cross-border sleeper train services from Bangkok's Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal commenced on July 19, 2024.[8] Train services are operated by the State Railway of Thailand drivers until Nong Khai, before the train is operated by Lao National Railway drivers to the station. The service utilizes former JR-West rolling stock for sleeper and second-class trains, being the only regularly scheduled train to use this stock in Thailand. Upon the station's opening, the former terminus, Thanaleng closed to passenger service and became a freight terminal.[9]

Facilities

The station has 3 platforms, 6 immigration desks, ticket offices for trains towards Thailand, Laos and China, food facilities and offices for the Lao National Railway. [10] However, there is no level boarding at the station.

Connecting bus services are available towards the city and the Laos China Railway station, as well as taxi services operated at a fixed price. Bus fares are 20,000 kip for adults to the Central Bus Station in the city, with the same prices applying for those heading towards the Vientiane railway station.[11]

The station also features a car park, a large drop off and pick up point for passengers, and stylised signage reading "Vientiane (ວຽງຈັນ)".

Train services

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: ไทย-ลาว เปิดสถานีรถไฟเวียงจันทน์ (คำสะหวาด). October 30, 2023. th. สำนักงานประชาสัมพันธ์จังหวัดระยอง.
  2. Web site: Lapuekou . Chono . 2024-05-15 . Laos-Thailand Railway Prepares for Official Opening with Trial Runs . 2024-06-10 . Laotian Times . en-US.
  3. Web site: Phase 2 of Lao-Thai railway completed. 11 May 2023. www.thestar.com.my.
  4. Web site: 2023-10-31 . Lao and Thai PMs naugurate Vientiane-Khamsavath railway station; link between two countries to further boost trade . 2023-11-02 . The Star . en.
  5. News: Limited . Bangkok Post Public Company . Lao railway set for full trial run this month . 2024-06-10 . Bangkok Post . en.
  6. Web site: แพลนทริปได้เลย! เม.ย.นี้ นั่งรถไฟ กทม.-เวียงจันทน์ จ่ายไม่ถึง 300 บาท .
  7. Web site: 2022-10-10 . Thailand -Laos rail project expected to be operational in mid-2023 . 2023-11-02 . Lao News Agency . en.
  8. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2822566/bangkok-vientiane-train-service-begins-july-19
  9. Web site: รถไฟจะไป ວຽງຈັນ .
  10. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=afyYA2_FR98
  11. https://www.facebook.com/share/p/XKYvaNFUVuWNJ1NR/