Lao People's Democratic Republic
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Railway Assessment 

Currently, Laos has 2 two links available. A short section of 9 km from Thanaleng to Nongkhai (Thailand) through Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge across Mekong and can be connected at Nongkhai-Bangkok and the rest of Thailand railroad system. The extension encompasses a 7.5-kilometer railway line that connects Thanalaeng station, located near the Thai border, to Khamsavath station. 

The other standard gauge electrified railway Boten–Vientiane railway (often referred to as the Laos- China railway) is completed and opened on 2 December 2021 and the primary rail route that connects Laos's capital to China's border. The Laos-China railway, which also runs a cold storage service, can move products between Yunnan and Vientiane in 26 hours. The Laos-China international cold-chain freight train service currently has one trip planned daily from Kunming, Yunnan, to Vientiane. 

For more information on government contact details, please see the following link: 4.1 Government Contact List

Travel Time Matrix 

Laos-Thailand railway 

Travel Time from Capital City to Major Towns (Hours)  

  

Nongkhai 

Vientiane 

Thanaleng 

 0.2hrs 

Laos- China railway 

Travel Time from Capital City to Major Towns (Hours)  

  

Phonhong 

Vangvieng 

Kasy 

Luang Prabang 

Nga 

Xay 

Namor 

Natuey 

Boten 

Vientiane 

Fast Train 

  

 1 hrs 

  

1.9 hrs 

  

 2.8hrs 

 

 3.5hrs 

3.7hrs 

Vientiane 

Ordinary Train 

 0.6 hrs 

 1.3 hrs 

 1.8hrs 

2.8 hrs 

3.5hrs  

 4hrs 

4.6hrs 

 4.9hrs 

5.2hrs 

Railway Companies and Consortia 

The Laos-Thailand Railway is operated by the State Railway of Thailand while Laos-China Railway project is a component of China's "Belt and Road" plan, which seeks to promote regional integration, facilitate trade, and foster economic development by establishing transportation links between Asia, Africa, and Europe via both terrestrial and maritime networks. Since its inception in December 2021, this railway line has effectively supported the transfer of nearly 27 million tons of cargo to diverse locations, encompassing Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, and Myanmar. The management of the railway is overseen by The Laos-China Railway Company Ltd (LCR).  

For more information on railway company contact details, please see the following link: 4.9 Railway Companies Contact List.  

 

Capacity Table 

Rail Operator Capacity 

 

State Railway of Thailand 

Laos-China Railway Company Ltd 

Lines Operates On  

481/482 ; 483/484 

C86; D888; K12; C82; C84; C85; D887: C81: K11; C83 

 

Max Train Length and / or Pulling Capacity 

N/A 

Short sets:234 m (767 ft 9 in) 

Long sets: 518 m (1,699 ft 6 in) 

Locomotives  

Diesel  

Electric  

Covered Freight Wagons Size (m) 

N/A 

N/A 

Flatbed Freight Wagons Size (m) 

N/A 

N/A 

High-sided Freight Wagons Size (m) 

N/A 

N/A 

Drop-side Freight Wagons Size (m) 

N/A 

N/A 

Key Route Information 

The Lao-Thai Railway and Laos-China Railway are essential elements of a potential transnational railway network designed to provide connectivity between China and Singapore, spanning across Laos, Thailand, and Malaysia. The primary route entails traveling from either Vientiane or Khamsavath station to Thanaleng Station - Nong Khai station, where the Vientiane or Khamsavath station is connected to the Lao-China Railway. 

The primary route of the Lao-China Railway, spanning from Vientiane to Boten, represents a significant achievement within the broader Pan-Asian rail network, which is an integral component of the extensive Trans-Asian Rail network. Upon completion, it would be theoretically possible for visitors originating from Portugal to reach Singapore via rail within a span of 21 days, with intermediate stops in Paris, Moscow, Beijing, and Bangkok. 

The Vientiane line holds significant importance as a crucial segment within the Pan-Asian rail network. This extensive network comprises three distinct routes: the central route, commencing from Kunming and traversing Laos before reaching its final destination in Bangkok; the western route, which extends through Myanmar and Thailand; and the eastern route, spanning across Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand, ultimately converging in Bangkok and continuing southwards towards Malaysia and Singapore. Consequently, the implementation of the railway system will provide novel commercial connections within Southeast Asia, coinciding with the ongoing efforts of regional nations to enhance their own infrastructural frameworks with the aim of minimizing logistical expenses. 

Key Stations 

The Lao-Thai Railway consists of three stations: Khamsavath, Thanaleng, and Nongkhai railway station. 

Key Station Information 

 

Khamsavath railway station 

Thanaleng railway station 

Nong Khai railway station 

Location 

Saysetha District Vientiane Capital 

Hadxayfong district 

Vientiane Capital 

Nong Khai District, Nong Khai Province 

Contact Information 

http://www.railway.co.th/ 

http://www.railway.co.th/ 

http://www.railway.co.th/ 

Connections with Other 

Transport Means 

Road 

Road 

Road 

Storage Capacity 

(m2 and m3) 

N/A 

N/A 

N/A 

Handling Equipment 

N/A 

N/A 

N/A 

Handling Capacity 

 

N/A 

N/A 

N/A 

Other Comments 

 

 

 

 

There are 1ten passenger stations and seven railway stations that offer freight services in Laos, namely Vientiane South Railway, Phonhong, Vang Vieng, Luang Prabang, Nateuy, and Xay. This route has the potential to provide expedited and seamless delivery of commodities within the region. The transportation expenses associated with this particular route are also 30-40 percent more economical compared to land-based transportation. 

The Xay Station is situated in the central region of Oudomxay Province, around 530 kilometers away from the capital city of Vientiane. Additionally, it is located about 30 kilometers from the Chinese border, namely the Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture. The station functions as a hub for the movement of freight, including the exportation of various goods such as produce, agricultural products, renewable crops, and metal ore. The maiden freight voyage from Vientiane to Shanghai facilitated the transportation of a diverse range of commodities, including fruits and rubber sourced from Southeast Asia. After departing from Vientiane Capital, the train proceeded to Shanghai via Wangjiaying West Station in Kunming, the administrative center of Yunnan province. 

 

Key Station Information 

 

Vientiane railway station 

Luangprabang railway station 

Xay railway station 

Boten railway station 

Location 

Vientiane Capital, Laos 

Luangprabang Province, Laos 

Oudomxay province, Laos 

Luang Namtha Province, Laos 

Contact Information 

021-891259 021-891334 

021-891099 

021-891169 

021-891412 021-8914. 021-891822 021-891532 

Connections with Other 

Transport Means 

Road 

Road 

Road 

Road 

Storage Capacity 

(m2 and m3) 

N/A 

N/A 

N/A 

N/A 

Handling Equipment 

N/A 

N/A 

N/A 

N/A 

Handling Capacity 

 

N/A 

N/A 

N/A 

N/A 

Other Comments 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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