New Bus Route Opens Between Loei and Luang Prabang

Thailand’s Transport Company Limited and Lao PDR’s Naluang Company has launched bus route No. 14 on the Loei-Sainyabuli-Luang Prabang route.

The route covers an approximate distance of 395 km, and the journey takes around nine hours.

A one-way trip between Loei and Luang Prabang costs 700 Baht or 175,000 Kip and a one-way trip between Loei and Sainyabuli is priced at 500 Baht or 125,000 Kip.

Mr. Thawatchai Arunyik, Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand said, “This new bus route is sure to become very important as Loei in the northernmost part in the Northeast region of Thailand offers unique natural beauty and a cultural heritage not unlike that found in Sainyabuli and Luang Prabang in Lao PDR. By linking these historic and picturesque regions, tourists and travellers have a new, affordable way of exploring some of Southeast Asia’s cultural gems and what’s more, they can do it with utmost convenience and comfort.”

There are currently various ways that travellers can pass between Thailand and Lao PDR, including by plane from Bangkok and Sukhothai in Thailand to Vientiane, Luang Prabang, Savannakhet or Pakse in Lao PDR.

Travellers coming by car or bus can use any of the four Thai-Lao Friendship Bridges across the Mekong River to cross border checkpoints. The most commonly used bridge is between Nong Khai in Thailand and Vientiane in Lao PDR. A second bridge can be found crossing between Mukdahan in Thailand and Savannakhet in Lao PDR. There is a third bridge across the river border between Thailand’s Nakhon Phanom and Thakhek in Lao PDR. The most recent bridge to be completed (which opened in December 2013) is between Chiang Rai in Thailand and Bokeo in Lao PDR.

It is also possible to travel into Lao PDR. via the Mekong River itself.