The Transport Company (Bor Kor Sor), Thailand’s state-owned interprovincial bus operator, will resume its international bus service between Khon Kaen and Vientiane, in cooperation with the Vientiane Capital State Bus Enterprise (VCSBE), from Oct 10 after a temporary suspension.
Attawit Rakjamroon, president of the Transport Company, said the resumption of the Route No.5 service will provide greater convenience for travellers and boost tourism and economic links between Thailand and Laos.
The 194-kilometre route takes around four hours and costs 180 baht per trip. Air-conditioned buses with 42 seats will operate twice daily in each direction – the Thai bus departs Khon Kaen at 8.15am, while the Lao bus leaves the Lao capital at 2.45pm.
Meanwhile, the VCSBE announced it will also begin operating its Vientiane-Khon Kaen service on the same date. Buses will depart from Vientiane at 8.15am and 2.45pm, and from Khon Kaen at 8.15am and 3pm. Tickets can be purchased at the Central Bus Station (CBS) next to the Morning Market in Vientiane from 7am to 6pm. For inquiries, passengers may call (+856) 20 96834578.
According to transport officials, Thai and Lao buses will alternate on the route, charging the same fare but accepting payment in Thai baht only. Passengers must present a valid passport when purchasing tickets. In Khon Kaen, the service will depart from Bus Terminal 3, where passengers can transfer to the Khon Kaen City Bus for travel to the city centre.
Currently, the Transport Company operates 11 international bus routes between Thailand and Laos. These routes include:
1.Nong Khai – Vientiane,
2.Udon Thani – Vientiane,
3.Khon Kaen – Vientiane,
4.Bangkok – Vientiane,
5.Nakhon Phanom – Thakhek,
6.Ubon Ratchathani – Pakse,
7.Bangkok – Pakse,
8.Mukdahan – Savannakhet,
9.Loei – Xayaburi – Luang Prabang,
10.Udon Thani – Vang Vieng, and
11.Chiang Rai – Bokeo (Shuttle Bus).