Laos will finally be connected to the world next week. A new rail link to Thailand across Mekong River is complete. The bridge over the river connecting the two picturesque lands will be called ‘The Friendship Bridge’.

The railway line will be inaugurated on Thursday and first train will roll out on Friday morning. The distance between two connecting stations Nong Khai in Thailand to Tha na Lang in Laos is mere 3.5 Km. Tha na Lang is just a new station now, there is nothing there. But visitors can take local transport to reach Vientiane, the capital of Laos.

This is indeed good news for travelers and tourists who like to travel by train to soak in the countryside view of a place. From Bangkok to Nong Khai itself is a interesting journey. The 630 km rail route goes through Thailand’s largest region, Isaan, with breathtaking view of antiquities, forests and paddy fields. The entry point into unexplored part of Laos from Nong Khai will only add to the adventure.

Thailand is not just about beach resorts. The vast inland is interesting too. The train journey is expected to increase tourists and back packers who wish explore vast inner land apart from the vast beach stretches.

Via Guardian