Transport Co revives Thailand-Laos bus service in early November

The state-run Transport Co is set to revive the Udon Thani–Nong Khai-Vang Vieng bus service in early November, aiming to enhance connectivity between Thailand and Laos. Vang Vieng, located in the Lao province of Vientiane, is renowned for its stunning landscapes, limestone cliffs, and caves.

Transport Co’s Acting General Manager Atthawit Rakchamroon confirmed that the decision to restart the bus route followed a meeting of Thai and Lao land transport officials in Vientiane over two days. The service will run from Udon Thani airport, pass through Nong Khai province, and conclude in Vang Vieng township. This resumption will facilitate transfers between Udon Thani Airport and the Sino-Lao high-speed railway.

The Udon Thani-Nong Khai-Vang Vieng bus service was initially launched in 2012 but was halted in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. In 2022, Transport Co resumed nine transnational bus routes to Laos.

Currently, the company operates 92 bus trips daily, serving approximately 3,000 passengers across these nine routes: Nong Khai-Vientiane, Udon Thani-Vientiane, Nakhon Phanom-Thakhek, Ubon Ratchathani-Pakse, Bangkok-Pakse, Mukdahan-Savannakhet, Bangkok-Vientiane, Loei-Xayaburi-Luang Prabang, and Chiang Rai-Bokeo.

“The resumption of the Udon Thani-Nong Khai-Vang Vieng service will significantly boost travel convenience for passengers.”

Additionally, Transport Co plans to introduce five more routes to Laos, including Chiang Mai-Boten, Bangkok-Savannakhet, Pattaya-Pakse, Pattaya-Vientiane, and Pattaya-Savannakhet, reported Bangkok Post.

In related news, Thai Smile Bus (TSB) launched 24-hour air-conditioned bus services across 13 routes in Bangkok, featuring electric-powered buses operating every hour. This initiative aims to assist night-shift workers who struggle with transportation. The service began on August 20.

In other news, Bangkok’s launch of its new electric BRT buses on the Sathorn-Ratchaphruek route sparked significant criticism online due to numerous issues on the first day of service. These problems include an insufficient number of buses, longer waiting times, and malfunctioning doors.

Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) Deputy Governor Wisanu Subsompon provided an update on the progress of the BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) system development on September 3.