Vientiane

  • Thailand NewsBangkok-Vientiane rail adds carriage to match 13,000+ passengers

    Bangkok-Vientiane rail adds carriage to match 13,000+ passengers

    More than 13,000 passengers have utilised the cross-border service of the Bangkok-Vientiane rail route since its inauguration on July 19, leading the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) to add another passenger carriage to meet the increased demand. Governor of the SRT, Veeris Ammarapala announced yesterday, October 20, that he had recently met with Daochinda Siharat, Lao National Railway State Enterprise…

  • Thailand NewsBangkok-Nong Khai train service to blaze a trail to Vientiane

    Bangkok-Nong Khai train service to blaze a trail to Vientiane

    The Bangkok-Nong Khai train will depart from the Thanaleng station in Laos to the brand-new Khamsavath station in Vientiane next month. The Director-General of the Department of Rail Transport, Pichet Kunadhamraks, revealed that the SRT has been operating trains from Nong Khai to Thanaleng, and now, the final stretch from Thanaleng to Khamsavath will mark the climax of this journey.…

  • World NewsLao human rights activist killed in Vientiane by unidentified gunman

    Lao human rights activist killed in Vientiane by unidentified gunman

    A 24 year old Lao human rights activist, Anousa “Jack” Luangsuphom, was shot and killed in Vientiane by an unidentified gunman, as reported by Radio Free Asia. Luangsuphom was the administrator of the Kub Kluen Duay Keyboard (Driven By Keyboard) Facebook group, which exposed and condemned human rights abuses in Laos while advocating for an end to one-party rule. The…

  • Transport NewsThailand aims to complete high-speed rail link with China by 2028

    Thailand aims to complete high-speed rail link with China by 2028

    Thailand aims to finish constructing the high-speed rail link which will connect China with the Land of Smiles by 2028, according to the Transport and Foreign Affairs ministries. As it stands, the project is only 5% complete – casting doubts on Thailand’s ability to fulfil their recent pledge to get the job done in the next six years. Beijing plans…

  • World NewsSecond Thai-Laos friendship bridge will house both railway and motorway- Transport Minister

    Second Thai-Laos friendship bridge will house both railway and motorway- Transport Minister

    Thailand is planning to build a bridge to Laos across the Mekong River for both railway and motorway. Last month, the Thai cabinet approved the project to build a second Thailand-Laos friendship bridge, connecting Nong Khai in northeast Thailand and the Laos capital Vientiane, as part of the third phase of the Thai-Chinese high-speed rail project. The construction is estimated…

  • World NewsSmoke blankets over Laos capital Vientiane, landfill fire releases toxic fumes

    Smoke blankets over Laos capital Vientiane, landfill fire releases toxic fumes

    Clouds of toxic smoke billowed over the Laos capital of Vientiane after a fire broke out at a landfill over the weekend, according to the local media outlet Laotian Times. Authorities have yet to issue a comment about what caused it. Smoke blanketed the skies in and surrounding the Xaythany District, causing locals to complain about the stink over the…

  • World NewsLaos reports first case of Omicron strain, traveller from overseas

    Laos reports first case of Omicron strain, traveller from overseas

    Laos reported its first Omicron case yesterday involving a woman who travelled from overseas. The woman’s family member, who was travelling with her, also tested positive for Covid-19, but the Omicron strain was not detected, according to the National Taskforce Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control. Both travellers are fully vaccinated. Before landing in the capital of Laos, Vientiane the…

  • World NewsVientiane orders to bar New Year gatherings amidst fears of Omicron

    Vientiane orders to bar New Year gatherings amidst fears of Omicron

    Fears of Omicron have prompted officials in the capital of Laos, Vientiane, to prohibit residents from hosting large parties and gatherings during the New Year holiday. The country’s Covid-19 Prevention and Control Office set measures restricting alcoholic beverages at restaurants and entertainment venues. Local authorities are asked to check, monitor, and disband meetings, with violators being detained. Laos reported 962…

  • World NewsThai police in the Laos capital searching for gold thieves

    Thai police in the Laos capital searching for gold thieves

    Khon Kaen provincial police headed over the Laotian border to the Laos capital Vientiane after learning that a pair of Thai gold shop robbers had fled over the border, according to sanook.com. The robbers fled to Vientiane with gold ornaments and jewellery valued around 10 million baht they stole from the Khon Kaen gold shop on July 27. Police say that…

  • World NewsXayaburi Dam owners say they’re not responsible for dry Mekong River

    Xayaburi Dam owners say they’re not responsible for dry Mekong River

    PHOTO: The Laotian Times CK Power, operators of the new Xayaburi Dam in Laos, are denying their dam tests (running from July 15 until tomorrow) are responsible for the low water flows in the Mekong River. The tests were a lead up to full scale production of electricity from October this year, most of which will head to Thailand. Fingers…

  • World NewsTwo week+ wait for visa appointments at Thai Embassy in Vientiane, Laos

    Two week+ wait for visa appointments at Thai Embassy in Vientiane, Laos

    PHOTO: Waiting to get into the Thai Embassy in Vientiane Expect to wait up to two weeks if you want to visit the Royal Thai Embassy in Vientiane, Laos to apply for a tourist or non-immigrant visa. ThaiVisa reports that, since February 1, foreigners applying for tourist, non-immigrant or transit visas, will need to make an online appointment before submitting…