The service now operates daily in each direction and departure times are 08:00 at both ends. The 370km trip is via Xayaburi and takes around 10 hours for the total journey. Thailand’s public bus operator, the Transport Company, is running the service with micro-buses configured for 21 passengers.
Transport Company boss Jirasak Yaowatsakul explained that the service was a joint enterprise with the Lao firm of Naluang. He also offered the opinion that the international connection would enhance travel choices between the two locations and promote tourism.
12GO ASIA notes that Thailand has a number of international bus routes linking it to Laos and Cambodia. These include Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang and Bangkok to Phnom Penh. The image supplied by 12GO ASIA shows a similar bus operating on the Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang route.
New international bus service links Nan and Luang Prabang
News in Asia
Yesterday saw the inauguration of a new international bus service linking Thailand and Laos. The bus service links Nan in northeastern Thailand with the UNESCO listed World Heritage town of Luang Prabang in Laos.