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 |
|||
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 |
|
|
|
|