Train passengers walk through the Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal in Bangkok. (Photo: Bangkok Post)
Bangkok (VNA) - The State Railway ofThailand plans to extend its Bangkok-Nong Khai train service to reach Vientianein April.
Trains would tentatively start operating from theThanaleng station just across the border in Laos to the new Khamsavath stationin Vientiane next month in preparation for the extended service in April, saidPichet Kunadhamraks, director-general of the Department of Rail Transport, ascited by Bangkok Post.
The Nong Khai station is 13km from the Khamsavathstation. The fare will be about 60 or 70 THB (1.68-1.96 USD) and a trip willtake about 20 minutes.
Thai and Lao authorities are now working on detailsof immigration procedures for the extended service. Document checks should berequired only once, in either Nong Khai or Vientiane, for passengers’convenience.
Lao train drivers will take over the SRT’s Vientiane-boundtrains at the Nong Khai station to prevent Thai drivers from being prosecutedin Laos in the event of any accidents. The SRT has trained nine Lao drivers forthe purpose.
When the extended service begins, the Bangkok-NongKhai train service, departing from Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal, will berenamed Bangkok-Vientiane (Khamsavath)./.
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Train passengers walk through the Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal in Bangkok. (Photo: Bangkok Post) 
