Khamsavath railway station

Vientaine (Khamsavath)

ຄໍາສະຫວາດ
The station as seen from the driveway entrance.
General information
Other namesLao-Thai Railway Station
LocationNonvai village, Xaysetha district
Vientiane prefecture
Laos
Coordinates17°57′27″N 102°40′29″E / 17.95750°N 102.67472°E / 17.95750; 102.67472
Operated byState Railway of Thailand
Managed byLao National Railway State Enterprise[1]
Transit authorityMinistry of Public Works and Transport
Line(s)Northeastern Line
Platforms3
Tracks4
Train operatorsState Railway of Thailand, Lao National Railway
ConnectionsBus Route 12 (Central Bus Station/Lao China Railway Station)
Construction
Structure typeAt-grade
Platform levels2
ParkingYes
AccessibleNo Level Boarding
Other information
StatusStaffed
History
Opened31 October 2023 (official)
19 July 2024 (first services)
Services
Preceding station State Railway of Thailand Following station
Nong Khai Northeastern Line Terminus
Location
Khamsavath station is located in Laos
Khamsavath station
Khamsavath station
Khamsavath station in Laos

Khamsavath railway station, also known as Vientiane-Tai railway station is a railway station located in Nonvai Village, Xaysetha district, Vientiane prefecture, Laos.[2] It is the second Vientiane's railway station 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

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Construction began on 1 October 2019, with plans of completion by 2021, being pushed back to May 2023 due to delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.[3] It 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 uses old JR-West rolling stock, for sleepers and second class trains, being the only regularly scheduled train to use this stock in Thailand. Upon opening, the Thanaleng railway station was closed to passenger service.

Facilities

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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. [9] There is no level boarding at the station.

There are connecting bus services towards the city and the Laos China Railway station, as well as taxi services operated at a fixed price. Buses are priced at 20,000 kip for adults towards the Central Bus Station in the city, with the same prices for those heading towards the Vientiane Laos China Railway Station.[10]

The station also has a carpark, and a large drop off and pick up point for passengers.

Train services

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  • Rapid 133/134 Krung Thep Aphiwat –Vientiane (Khamsavath) – Krung Thep Aphiwat
  • Rapid 147-148 Udon Thani - Vientiane (Khamsavath) - Udon Thani

See also

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References

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