Thailand-Laos launch Chiang Mai-Luang Phrabang bus route

BANGKOK, January 20 (TNA) - A second class air-conditioned bus route was launched on Thursday from Thailand's northern resort Chiang Mai Province to Laos' Luang Phrabang Province, the 8th route linking Thailand with the neighbouring Lao PDR, aimed to further boost tourism, investment and economic ties between the two countries. Thai Deputy Permanent-Secretary for Transport Silpachai Jarukasemrattana, in his capacity as the acting permanent-secretary, presided over a ceremony to launch the new Thai-Lao cross-border bus route. A journey on the Thai-Lao second-class air-conditioned bus service takes some 18 hours and the fare is Bt1,200 for each passenger. But after the construction of the 4th Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge across the Mekong River, linking Thailand's Chiang Khong area with Laos' Huay Xai, is complete next year, a first class air-conditioned bus service will replace the second-class service and its fare will be raised to Bt1,500 for each passenger. Meanwhile, Silpachai said that a new high-speed train system linking Bangkok with Chiang Mai, as recently approved by the Thai Cabinet, should be ready to serve passengers by 2017. (TNA)