Khon Kaen _ A direct bus service between Khon Kaen and Vientiane will start running in December. It will compete with the service operated by the state-owned Transport Company Ltd, which departs from Udon Thani and is currently the only service going to Vientiane.
The Khon Kaen-Vientiane bus will depart two to four times a day, Khon Kaen land transport spokesman Art Srisamruan said.
He said bus passenger traffic had expanded in recent years as more Thai tourists visit the Lao capital. Many Lao people were also crossing the border for holidays as well as for medical treatment at hospitals in Khon Kaen.
The new, non-stop service would cater to this market, Mr Art said.
The current Udon Thani-Vientiane route goes through Nong Khai province and across the Thai-Lao Friendship to the Lao capital.
Mr Art said the new coach service will operate from Khon Kaen bus terminal and Talad Chao terminal on the Lao side.
A one-way ticket will cost 180 baht, or 50,000 Lao kip.
