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Saturday, February 7, 2026
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Lao Railways Launches First Cross-Border Freight Service Using Its Own Rolling Stock

This Week

On 2 December, Lao National Railways introduced a new freight operation linking Thanaleng Station in Vientiane with Nong Khai Station, Thailand, across the Mekong.

The first trip involved an LNR locomotive hauling a freight wagon over the Lao–Thai Friendship Bridge. Until now, services on this stretch had been handled by the State Railway of Thailand, which began running trains there in 2019.

According to the Ministry of Public Works and Transportation, LNR will start with one round-trip per day, with each service able to carry up to 25 containers. 

The cargo mix is expected to vary based on demand, ranging from agricultural shipments that peak by season to higher-value electronic components. Officials said the service will operate as an end-to-end delivery route between Thanaleng and Nong Khai, with plans already in place to scale up frequency as capacity expands.

LNR’s Managing Director, Daochinda Siharath, told attendees at the opening ceremony that the new service reflected both national progress and the long-standing relationship with Thailand. He said the route has strategic value because it makes cross-border shipments more efficient while broadening the region’s logistical options.

He added that the development fits into a wider effort to deepen integration with neighboring economies, emphasizing that improved freight capacity is expected to benefit Laos, Thailand, and nearby countries in the sub-region.

Thailand’s State Railway Acting Governor, Anan Phonimdaeng, noted during the launch that the shift to LNR operating with its own equipment marked a new stage in bilateral railway cooperation. He said the transition aligns with broader goals to improve the performance and interconnectedness of rail systems across ASEAN.

With the service now active, both railways view the move as an early step toward expanding regional freight flows and reducing cross-border transit bottlenecks.

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