The Lao-Thai Railway is expected to start operations this year following the completion of the second phase of the railway construction, according to the developer.
Vientiane Timesreports that the Phase II of the Lao-Thai Railway Construction Project has been completed and it is currently awaiting the finalization of the Thailand-Laos train license agreement before opening it to the public.
“We expect to launch the train service between August and October,” the developer of the project said.
The Lao-Thai Railway started construction in 2019 and was expected to be finished by 2021, but due to some delays, the project is finally completed two years later.
The Lao-Thai Railway and Laos-China Railway are planned parts of a regional rail network that will connect China to Singapore via Laos, Thailand, and Malaysia.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Vientiane-Station-or-Khamsavath-Station-has-completed-its-second-phase.jpg6271200Soutsada Xaphouvonghttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSoutsada Xaphouvong2023-05-19 09:00:002023-05-12 10:00:27Lao-Thai Railway Completes Second Phase of Construction and Ready for Public Use
The Mekong riverside night market near Chao Anouvong Park in Vientiane Capital will undergo renovations in May.
Despite the ongoing refurbishment work, the night market will continue to be accessible to vendors and visitors as usual.
Mr. Nantha Sanouvong, Deputy Director of Vientiane’s Department of Industry and Commerce, said that the improvement is part of preparations to welcome more domestic and foreign tourists and visitors, especially during the upcoming ASEAN Summit in 2024.
The upgrade will focus on improving existing services, promoting domestic production, and the display of provincial agriculture and handicraft products within the market, according to Mr. Nantha.
Authorities are hopeful that the revamp will allow the setting up of 70 local shops in the areas of Wat Chanthaboury that will focus on selling craft products, souvenirs, items from the district, and other local products.
The department apologized for any inconvenience the upgrade may cause visitors and vendors, and it plans to discuss the matter with shopowners by the middle of this month.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Night-market-near-Chao-Anouvonng-Park.jpg6271200Soutsada Xaphouvonghttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSoutsada Xaphouvong2023-05-18 10:10:002023-05-09 14:46:57Vientiane Riverside Night Market to Undergo Major Makeover This Month
Prime Minister of Laos Sonexay Siphandone and his delegation will attend the 42nd ASEAN Summit in Indonesia, scheduled to take place on May 9-11.
Laos’ Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone will be visiting Labuan Bajo, a fishing town located at the western end of the large island of Flores in the Nusa Tenggara region of east Indonesia, where the 2023 ASEAN Summit is slated to take place.
During the summit, he will participate in several important meetings, including those between ASEAN leaders and representatives of ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly(AIPA), ASEAN Youth Organization, ASEAN Business Advisory Council, and a high-level task force discussing the ASEAN post-2025 vision.
This year’s summit will also focus on strengthening ASEAN capacity, approving Timor-Leste’s full membership as an ASEAN member nation, combating human trafficking, and protecting fishing workers.
According to the Indonesian magazine Tempo, the annual event will also see discussions on the health sector, village networks, electric vehicle ecosystems, and payment connectivity in the region.
Former Indonesian Attorney-General and Co-Founder of the Special Advisory Council for Myanmar, Marzuki Darusman, stated that the summit was the appropriate time to evaluate the five points of consensus produced by this Southeast Asian bloc institution to resolve the crisis in Myanmar.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Laoss-Prime-Minister-Sonexay-Siphandone.jpg6271200Soutsada Xaphouvonghttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSoutsada Xaphouvong2023-05-17 09:00:002023-05-09 14:44:19Lao Prime Minister to Attend 42nd ASEAN Summit in Indonesia This Month
Lao-Thai Railway Completes Second Phase of Construction and Ready for Public Use
The Lao-Thai Railway is expected to start operations this year following the completion of the second phase of the railway construction, according to the developer.
Vientiane Times reports that the Phase II of the Lao-Thai Railway Construction Project has been completed and it is currently awaiting the finalization of the Thailand-Laos train license agreement before opening it to the public.
“We expect to launch the train service between August and October,” the developer of the project said.
The extension comprises a 7.5-kilometer railway line from Thanalaeng station at the Thai border to Khamsavath station, costing about THB 900 million, 30% of which is a grant from Thailand’s Neighbouring Countries Economic Development Cooperation Agency (NEDA).
The Lao-Thai Railway started construction in 2019 and was expected to be finished by 2021, but due to some delays, the project is finally completed two years later.
Thai delegations visited the station in January and discussed the feasibility of a China-Laos-Thailand railway link that would help reduce cargo transport costs by 30-50% over the next three to five years.
The Lao-Thai Railway and Laos-China Railway are planned parts of a regional rail network that will connect China to Singapore via Laos, Thailand, and Malaysia.
source: https://laotiantimes.com/2023/05/11/lao-thai-railway-completes-second-phase-of-construction-and-is-ready-for-public-use/
Vientiane Riverside Night Market to Undergo Major Makeover This Month
The Mekong riverside night market near Chao Anouvong Park in Vientiane Capital will undergo renovations in May.
Despite the ongoing refurbishment work, the night market will continue to be accessible to vendors and visitors as usual.
Mr. Nantha Sanouvong, Deputy Director of Vientiane’s Department of Industry and Commerce, said that the improvement is part of preparations to welcome more domestic and foreign tourists and visitors, especially during the upcoming ASEAN Summit in 2024.
The upgrade will focus on improving existing services, promoting domestic production, and the display of provincial agriculture and handicraft products within the market, according to Mr. Nantha.
Authorities are hopeful that the revamp will allow the setting up of 70 local shops in the areas of Wat Chanthaboury that will focus on selling craft products, souvenirs, items from the district, and other local products.
The department apologized for any inconvenience the upgrade may cause visitors and vendors, and it plans to discuss the matter with shopowners by the middle of this month.
In March this year, authorities in Vientiane Capital ordered the closure of the Sihom Night Market, also referred to as “Hengboun Food and Culture Street,” and designated nearby areas for the walking street.
source: https://laotiantimes.com/2023/05/04/vientiane-riverside-night-market-to-undergo-major-makeover-this-month/
Lao Prime Minister to Attend 42nd ASEAN Summit in Indonesia This Month
Prime Minister of Laos Sonexay Siphandone and his delegation will attend the 42nd ASEAN Summit in Indonesia, scheduled to take place on May 9-11.
Laos’ Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone will be visiting Labuan Bajo, a fishing town located at the western end of the large island of Flores in the Nusa Tenggara region of east Indonesia, where the 2023 ASEAN Summit is slated to take place.
During the summit, he will participate in several important meetings, including those between ASEAN leaders and representatives of ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly(AIPA), ASEAN Youth Organization, ASEAN Business Advisory Council, and a high-level task force discussing the ASEAN post-2025 vision.
This year’s summit will also focus on strengthening ASEAN capacity, approving Timor-Leste’s full membership as an ASEAN member nation, combating human trafficking, and protecting fishing workers.
According to the Indonesian magazine Tempo, the annual event will also see discussions on the health sector, village networks, electric vehicle ecosystems, and payment connectivity in the region.
Former Indonesian Attorney-General and Co-Founder of the Special Advisory Council for Myanmar, Marzuki Darusman, stated that the summit was the appropriate time to evaluate the five points of consensus produced by this Southeast Asian bloc institution to resolve the crisis in Myanmar.
Former Lao Prime Minister Phanhkham Viphavanh participated in the 40th and 41st ASEAN and Related Summits in November 2022 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
source: https://laotiantimes.com/2023/05/09/lao-prime-minister-to-attend-42nd-asean-summit-in-indonesia-this-month/