On Sunday night, a new trial train from Vientiane to Bangkok, Thailand arrived at Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Station, where visitors from Laos were greeted by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and the State Railway of Thailand (SRT).
 
The goal of the trial train project, which was initiated by Prime Ministers Sonexay Siphandone of Laos and Srettha Thavisin of Thailand last year, is to increase tourism and the economy while fortifying the two countries' strong ties.
 
Following the TAT's objective to promote travel inside ASEAN, Thapanee Kiatphaibool, Governor of TAT, stated that the new Laos-Thailand train will help Thailand's ambition of being the ASEAN Hub and enhancing tourism and economic activity between the two nations. 

She also mentioned that to increase cross-border travel from Laos, she hoped to encourage travellers from Laos to choose Thailand.
 
By 2024, TAT wants to have around 977,000 visitors from Laos and bring in 36.96 billion Baht from tourism.
 
On July 19, the train operation service for visitors from Thailand and Laos will start. Tickets can be purchased at SRT Station and through the "D-Ticket" mobile application. Starting in Laos at the Vientiane Train Station (Khamsavath), the train line headed to Bangkok's Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Station.
 
The train is scheduled to depart from Bangkok Central Station on July 19 at 9:25 p.m. and arrive at Khamsavath Station in Vientiane at 9:05 a.m. the following day, according to state media. The return journey leaves Vientiane at 6:25 p.m. and lands in Bangkok at 7:30 a.m.