travel news review


9 April '99
A project to build a rail link between Thailand and Laos will be begin mid-year. The railway track will run across the Mekong River, linking Vientiane with the Thai province of Nong Khai, and the Pacific Transportation Company will carry out the project in conjunction with the Laos Railways Transportation Corporation (LRT). Costing US$33 million, the track will cover the 14km (8.6mi) from Vientiane to the Friendship Bridge that connects Laos to Thailand. Other projects are already underway, including a track between Vientiane and Luang Phrabang, and between Luang Phrabang and Boten.

1 March '99
Thailand and Laos have agreed to longer opening hours at all mutual border crossings. Travellers are permitted to travel from Thailand to Laos at a number of points along the border, Nong Khai (near Vientiane), Nakhon Phanom (opposite Tha Khaek), Chiang Khong (opposite Huay Xai) and Mukdahan (opposite Savannakhet). The border crossing at Nong Khai will open between 6 am and 8 pm, while the other borders will be open between 6 am and 6 pm.

8 February '99
A Monument to the Unknown Soldier has been erected in the province of Xieng Khuang. The province was one of the northern provinces most devastated by the Vietnam War, which started in 1964 and lasted until 1973. Virtually every town and village in the province was bombed at some point during these years. The monument was unveiled on 20 January to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Lao People's Liberation Army, or 'Pathet Lao' as it was called by the international media at the time.

16 November '98
Lao Aviation has commenced services from Luang Prabang to Chang Mai in Thailand. Previously travellers arriving in Laos on an international flight could only disembark in the capital Vientiane. Lao Aviation will fly each Thursday to Chang Mai, a one way fare costing US$70. Travellers planning to arrive from Thailand will need to organise a Laotian visa in advance as they cannot be obtained on arrival at Luang Prabang.

10 June '98
The Cambodian national carrier, Royal Air Cambodge, has commenced direct flights between Phnom Penh and the Lao capital, Vientiane. The flights between the two capitals operate on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

27 May '98
The restoration of the library of Vat Pak Ou, in the town of Pak Ou, in the northern province of Luang Prabang, has almost been completed. The library was built in the 16th century by King Setthathirath. Restoration of the library commenced in the 1970s, but lack of regular funding for the restoration has hampered work. The library is part of a larger temple complex built by the king and includes the main temple building and abbots' and monks' houses as well as the library.

29 April '98
Serious concerns about the domestic operation of Lao Aviation, particularly regarding its safety standards and maintenance regime, have been raised recently. Most embassies, along with other diplomatic missions and international organisations in Vientiane, have advised their personnel to limit travel on Lao Aviation to essential travel only. Travellers in Laos may wish to defer their travel on Lao Aviation or consider alternate means of transport until their safety record improves.

1 April '98
Falling demand for air services in parts of South-East Asia has seen the Singaporean airline SilkAir suspend all flights to and from the capital Vientiane until August this year. Malaysian Airlines has also suspended all flights there until 25 October. Lao Aviation, Thai Airways and Southern China Airlines will continue all their scheduled flights to and from Vientiane.