A new cross-border bus service linking Bueng Kan Province in Thailand with Bolikhamxay Province in Laos began trial operations on 7 January, aiming to improve transport connectivity between the two neighbouring provinces.
The service is operated by a Thai bus operator, which has deployed one Thai-registered bus on the Bueng Kan–Bolikhamxay route under an international bus service licence.
The fare for the journey is set at THB 100 (USD 3.20).
According to the trial schedule, buses depart from Bueng Kan Bus Terminal at 8:00 am and 1:00 pm, while they leave Bolikhamxay Bus Terminal at 10:30 am and 3:30 pm.
To support cross-border travel, a shuttle bus service will operate between the Thai–Lao border checkpoints. The shuttle service is provided by a Lao company, which has assigned two buses to the route. These shuttle buses will run daily from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Thai authorities said the trial phase will help assess passenger demand, operational efficiency, and coordination at border crossings before any decision is made on long-term operations.
Champasack Province is in talks to open a direct air route between Pakse and Hong Kong, a move provincial leaders say would strengthen tourism and help sustain visitor activity throughout the year.
Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the 12th National Congress of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party on 6 January, Alounxay Sounnalath, Party Central Committee member and Secretary of the Champasack Provincial Party Committee, highlighted recent progress across multiple sectors.
Alounxay said the province had faced both domestic and external challenges in recent years, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic, but credited unity and collective effort for helping Champasack maintain development momentum.
In tourism, he said the province has expanded community-based tourism and received several ASEAN-level awards.
Ongoing negotiations for new international routes, including Pakse–Guangzhou and Pakse–Hong Kong, aim to further raise Champasack’s profile as a regional travel destination.
He also pointed to progress in education, noting that Champasack has eliminated all volunteer teachers by absorbing them into the formal civil service system.
In infrastructure development, the province has mobilised more than LAK 70 billion (USD 3.2 million) from public contributions to build concrete roads and bridges.
Looking ahead, Alounxay said provincial authorities will focus on ensuring that Party resolutions reach the grassroots level.
Champasack will continue working toward key social goals, including improving living standards and eliminating remaining poor households by 2026, in line with national targets.
New toll rates have officially taken effect on the Vientiane–Vang Vieng expressway.
From 1 January, vehicle charges range from approximately LAK 1,500 to LAK 6,500 per kilometer, depending on vehicle size and weight, based on an exchange rate of LAK 20,777 per US dollar.
At the 40-ton gross load limit, the minimum toll is about LAK 10,500 per kilometer , with no fixed maximum as fees rise with weight.
A table and information of the new toll prices for each category. (Picture by Lao-China Joint Expressway Development)
The Lao–China Joint Expressway Development Company said the adjustment is based on a feasibility study approved by the Lao government and the US dollar pricing framework stipulated in the concession agreement.
The revised rates apply to all vehicle categories, including private cars, buses, and trucks, with toll fees calculated according to vehicle size and weight. Detailed information will be displayed on toll notice boards along the expressway.
The company thanked the public for their understanding and said it will continue working to improve service quality and ensure safer, more comfortable travel for road users.
Bueng Kan–Bolikhamxay Cross-Border Bus Service Begins Trial Operations
A new cross-border bus service linking Bueng Kan Province in Thailand with Bolikhamxay Province in Laos began trial operations on 7 January, aiming to improve transport connectivity between the two neighbouring provinces.
The service is operated by a Thai bus operator, which has deployed one Thai-registered bus on the Bueng Kan–Bolikhamxay route under an international bus service licence.
The fare for the journey is set at THB 100 (USD 3.20).
According to the trial schedule, buses depart from Bueng Kan Bus Terminal at 8:00 am and 1:00 pm, while they leave Bolikhamxay Bus Terminal at 10:30 am and 3:30 pm.
To support cross-border travel, a shuttle bus service will operate between the Thai–Lao border checkpoints. The shuttle service is provided by a Lao company, which has assigned two buses to the route. These shuttle buses will run daily from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Thai authorities said the trial phase will help assess passenger demand, operational efficiency, and coordination at border crossings before any decision is made on long-term operations.
source: https://laotiantimes.com/2026/01/09/bueng-kan-bolikhamxai-cross-border-bus-service-begins-trial-operations/
Champasack Pushes Pakse–Hong Kong Flights to Boost Tourism
Champasack Province is in talks to open a direct air route between Pakse and Hong Kong, a move provincial leaders say would strengthen tourism and help sustain visitor activity throughout the year.
Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the 12th National Congress of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party on 6 January, Alounxay Sounnalath, Party Central Committee member and Secretary of the Champasack Provincial Party Committee, highlighted recent progress across multiple sectors.
Alounxay said the province had faced both domestic and external challenges in recent years, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic, but credited unity and collective effort for helping Champasack maintain development momentum.
In tourism, he said the province has expanded community-based tourism and received several ASEAN-level awards.
Ongoing negotiations for new international routes, including Pakse–Guangzhou and Pakse–Hong Kong, aim to further raise Champasack’s profile as a regional travel destination.
He also pointed to progress in education, noting that Champasack has eliminated all volunteer teachers by absorbing them into the formal civil service system.
In infrastructure development, the province has mobilised more than LAK 70 billion (USD 3.2 million) from public contributions to build concrete roads and bridges.
Looking ahead, Alounxay said provincial authorities will focus on ensuring that Party resolutions reach the grassroots level.
Champasack will continue working toward key social goals, including improving living standards and eliminating remaining poor households by 2026, in line with national targets.
source: https://laotiantimes.com/2026/01/08/champasak-pushes-pakse-hong-kong-flights-to-boost-tourism/
Updated Toll Charges Begin on Vientiane–Vang Vieng Expressway
New toll rates have officially taken effect on the Vientiane–Vang Vieng expressway.
From 1 January, vehicle charges range from approximately LAK 1,500 to LAK 6,500 per kilometer, depending on vehicle size and weight, based on an exchange rate of LAK 20,777 per US dollar.
At the 40-ton gross load limit, the minimum toll is about LAK 10,500 per kilometer , with no fixed maximum as fees rise with weight.
The Lao–China Joint Expressway Development Company said the adjustment is based on a feasibility study approved by the Lao government and the US dollar pricing framework stipulated in the concession agreement.
The revised rates apply to all vehicle categories, including private cars, buses, and trucks, with toll fees calculated according to vehicle size and weight. Detailed information will be displayed on toll notice boards along the expressway.
The company thanked the public for their understanding and said it will continue working to improve service quality and ensure safer, more comfortable travel for road users.
source: https://laotiantimes.com/2026/01/02/updated-toll-charges-begin-on-vientiane-vang-vieng-expressway/