Title: Category: Thailand Clicks: 0 Listing added: Mar 5, 2009 PageRank: 0/10

The first railway line connecting Thailand and Laos was officially opened on Thursday, aiming to boost tourism and trade.
Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn presided over the opening ceremony of the 3.5km track connecting Nong Khai Province and Thanaleng station in Laos.
After the ceremony, she boarded a Laos-bound service across the Mekong river as the first passenger.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and Lao Deputy Prime Minister Boonyoung Worlajit also attended the ceremony.
State Railway of Thailand (SRT) governor Yutthana Thapcharoen said about 500 passengers were expected to use the train each day once it begins regular passenger services.
The train will make four round trips a day over the Mekong river. A third-class ticket will cost 20 baht and second-class 80 baht, he said.
If citizens from either country do not have a passport to present for a visa, they will be able to ask checkpoint officials for a temporary border pass, he said.
The SRT and Laos have agreed to extend the rail service from Thanaleng to Vientiane, 25km away, in the near future, the governor added.
The railway was financed by Thailand with total funding of 197 million baht (about US$5.4 million).
The second phase is expected to cost about one million baht.
Laos imports consumer products and construction materials from Thailand while it exports agricultural products and timber to Thailand...

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