Lao China Railway - Have Things Improved? | Now in Lao

[@thetreekeeper143]

As long as the US dont meddle in Laos politics and try to install puppet regimes, I think the Laos will continue to progress peacefully.

[@fannyalbi9040]

one way to eliminate united snakes 🐍 meddling is set a law to check those fake ngo funds where r they come from

[@armandomontillero8379]

Be vigilant always. Do not underestimate USA when it comes to destroying country

[@armandomontillero8379]

@@fannyalbi9040 you're right NGO, coup then install a puppet leader .

[@陈诚-i9f]

well said

[@jamaicasysbm2580]

Facts

[@bobbyus]

Awesome video and really enjoy watching these updates. Months ago there were so many negative comments that the train won't be successful, that no one can afford it, no one will take it, it's Chinese, etc etc, but seems it's really popular. Happy to see Laos have something that benefits the Laos people.

[@wengfookchia4691]

Listen to every thing Chinese did is negative! But however why China is still progress well and with sufficient wealth today. Problem is having too much reliance on western media

[@cfwin1776]

They can always wait for an American made high speed train. It will arrive next century.

[@lindagonzalez5513]

😂 so true ! The US needs to fix their own dilapidated infrastructure first !

[@birdyashiro1226]

Yes, because only CIA can speaks.

[@lemongrass568]

Love seeing Lao people travel all through out Laos. with the train it will give more and more access to isolated areas. this is a good thing. looks like the train will be put to good use.

[@NowinLao]

It certainly is.. 👍

[@qsj408]

Same that goddess terrible mountain road to luangpabang and save time

[@temper44]

With so many local travelers, I have great hope for tourism in Laos when the train eventually reaches Thailand. I can imagine thousands of Thai tourists taking a few days to Laos when it so convenient, or passing through Laos on shopping trips to China and then back to Thailand. Perhaps even sleeper trains from China to Thailand would be a market. This could be very lucrative for Laos in the long term, I think.

[@elsonsti]

yes, in the end all ASEAN countries will be connected.

[@lindagonzalez5513]

Excellent idea !

[@lindagonzalez5513]

Looking forward to taking the train when all ASEAN countries are connected for a nice long vacation to visit all those countries!

[@menedoffou6982]

What is this guy talking about? Toilets outside the station? Here in Chicago there no toilets outside union station or the Greyhound station. Toilets are inside the stations

[@blueli6351]

@@menedoffou6982 The station is closed. Only open when the train is ready to do. If you came early and trying to buy a ticket. You may need to wait for hours to get in. So it is necessary to have a toilet outside for people.

[@chuolengteng8237]

Laos do have beautiful mountains.

[@juntaveekammanee]

Wow. A lot of travelers at the train station.

[@antruok4950]

It’s great the locals are overwhelmingly supporting the railway - a good problem to have - I had a laugh at the 2 guys standing up on the train 😬 - nice work T 🍻

[@peterc66]

I still remember it was only a few months ago some people were saying Lao people can't afford to take the high-speed trains lol

[@us-chinaalliance7854]

they're not the ones will take the trains. in fact, most of them don't even have HSR at their home countries.

[@killeyx]

first! OMG thanks Todd for the feedbacks and coverage on this old topics. Hopefully traveling across Laos will be much easier and lenient in the future. Thanks

[@lindagonzalez5513]

Great video ! Thanks for showing us how successful and beneficial cooperation with China has been for Laos ! Building infrastructure, development and win win cooperation is what China does ! Am Now thinking of visiting Laos and will def ride the train ; it looks really lovely there for a nice vacation:)

[@teofilol2666]

It appears to me that the ticket restrictions are in place mainly to beat the black market where tickets are resale at a higher price. When the service is full every time, it will lead to black market for tickett. Some of the steps normally used are: buy tickets with ID, restrict the number of tickets allowed to be purchased, restrict the days tickets are allowed to be purchased in advance (so that the black market won't have sufficient time to resell their tickets). Only when there are more seats the than demand, then only the problem will go away. Just my thoughts, maybe I'm wrong.

[@wulung5943]

The demand for train services is larger than current train capacity. The 3 day ahead for ticket sales reduces the window of opportunity for scalpers who may be caught with unsold tickets. Train services are being increased every year and scalping is rare now

[@ameliah8164]

In China, we use ID cards to buy tickets on mobile phones (or on-site). You can take the train only when the ticket and ID card are consistent with your face. After the implementation of this rule, scalpers have disappeared. It is hoped that Laos can also apply this method as soon as possible.

[@stoneruler]

That actually makes sense

[@ameliah8164]

In China, we use ID cards to buy tickets on mobile phones (or on-site). You can take the train only when the ticket and ID card are consistent with your face. After the implementation of this rule, scalpers have disappeared. It is hoped that Laos can also apply this method as soon as possible.

[@jasonlucas2328]

That's an excellent system. When the Chinese government doesn't like you, you provide honest feedback about train safety, or the government thinks you look ugly, you will lose the privilege to buy train tickets. It's a great tool to control the movement of people.

[@BobBrown.]

Yes exactly. I’d rather deal with scalpers than an authoritarian government tracking where I go.

[@TinyewPoon]

i'm very happy to see this rail proved to be very useful and convenient for Laos people. Laos people deserve to have a better and better, and most importantly, peaceful life.

[@randomname931]

Glad to see this successful endeavor come to fruition. The haters all said it would fail because it's too expensive for the average Laotian. That it was a Chinese debt trap. Haters gonna hate.

[@cinpeace353]

Lol, those haters are just saying because they are haters. 138 leaders out of 195 countries in the world joined BRI. They all seen the results. We are talking about 70% of the world leaders.

[@vestasharp6861]

The only problem is that it's too popular and too hard to get tickets.

[@今日辱蛙]

@@cinpeace353 China is responsible for 70% of the funds, while Laos is only 30%. However, this railway will promote Laos' economy and become the central nerve between China and ASEAN. Laos will become rich in the future - love from China 🇨🇳

[@jasonlucas2328]

@@cinpeace353 The top 5 largest economies control 80% of the world economy. We're talking about five leaders, aren't we?

[@cabbyw]

Looks like the high speed rail is a smashing success in Lao. Thanks for sharing !

[@ghostnsx8147]

Can’t wait to visit Laos 🇱🇦

[@robertburnett6348]

Another good reason to visit Lao. Hope all restrictions are lifted. Thanks.

[@NowinLao]

Soon hopefully 🙏

[@daopongsavong4574]

🙏👍 Sabaidee, Hello Todd and Neenee, I always enjoy watching your videos and very happy to see the Lao people are using the train. It will also be great when tourist arrive in Laos and be able to travel around northern easier. I'm sure that they will continue to improve. Hope you get that free beers and oh we have Lao beers here in California!! Had some and yes it is great!! 😀 🙏

[@ericeverson5956]

Jim Morrison & the doors. very appropriate:) Love you guys, Peace.

[@reptilrrudy2389]

Laos is an adventurer's dream!

[@fyc55]

"If you want to get rich, get roads first", Chinese saying.

[@sarinabond7738]

This is very good sight to see. Cannot wait to go to Laos and hop on that bullet train

[@outlilei]

I'm so glad that this train system is popular in Laos! From a positive perspective, it is better short in ticket supply which means the railway operator will have enough revenue to keep the good thing running! There are some highspeed train lines needed Government subsidy due to lack of customer in China. It would hurt the Laos if they had run into a similar situation and staggered the progress.

[@kiabtoomlauj6249]

You don't need to be doing multi-variable calculus in your head, like the late Stephen Hawking did, to know if China had problems with customers, with 1.4B Chinese, that Laos Third World status, 8M people, would have even MORE problems, in terms of supporting/sustaining the operations of these billion dollar-invested high speed rail projects. Ask yourself: who are the Lao middle class who could afford to ride this ultra modern "high speed" service, on a daily basis --- such as what's seen in Beijing, Tokyo, etc ---- when the per capita income of Laos is like $200 - $300 a month or $2,000 - $3,000 a year? The last 3 months, you're talking the ridership of mostly the few thousand young and well to do, with a good percentage of them being tourists or people like Todd here and his Lao wife... riding the train for LEISURE activities... and even then, they only do it once a week, once a month, once in 3 months, etc. Think about it, with these multi-billion projects, IF things go smoothly, according to plans stated by the involved governments of China and Laos, they still will need to operate for at least 5 years to start recuperating their investment and start to make a little profits. If ANY mid tier to big hiccups, you're talking about the governments or companies involved needing to immediately pump in TENS of millions into fixing such hiccups.... You see the reality of the situation? There is NO MAGIC wand waving that could make these things run smoothly --- until profits are pouring in --- like you see how things are all seemingly rosy pink, here, on these short video footage.

[@LaoSoftware]

It's only popular for the locals. But once the novelty wears off, people would rather drive their car from one city to another city. I don't have the patience to wait for the train or the bus. I'd rather drive my own car.

[@huiweng2927]

@@kiabtoomlauj6249 you read too much NGO stuff bro. this track was built for freight, thats the cash cow, passenger train is just a bonus.

[@lindagonzalez5513]

Taking the train is much more affordable; convenient and way faster ! But to each his own if you prefer driving and have the time then that’s your choice

[@da12641]

Hello from Los Angeles. This is great investment in public transportation. Finally, a railway from from Vientiane to Luangprabang in just about 2 hours vs 9-12 hours driving. You can practically visit most Laos cities/villages in several days vs several weeks. I hope those terrorists funded by the USA will not try to destory it.

[@adfilluz]

that crowd at luang prabang station is really a sight... imagine if covid restriction is fully lifted for international travellers, i bet many travellers especially from China which now has direct train access from Kunming/Yunnan. I guess Lao govt can now fully capitalise the city having UNESCO recognition, maybe a Southeast Asian version of Kyoto?

[@PlasticExtrusionProfiles]

I hope so, I'm Chinese, we will traveling Laos very convenient.

[@stvdmc2011]

Give them time laos will get it together soon. California here still waiting for our train.

[@未央笑笑生]

The staff looks very nice and professional. Wish one day I could visit this beautiful and peaceful country.

[@鉄鍋蒸口罩]

Beautiful railway station! Hope to travel to laos in future.

[@ianscott424]

Did the train today for the first time from Luang Prabang to Vientiane... Ticket purchase at the sales office took me less than 5 minutes. Wife dropped me off at the train station about 45 minutes before the train departed - Straight in with a check of ticket, passport and vaccine card followed by security scan of baggage and metal detectors. took a couple of minutes. Boarding was very organised with signage for all carriages. The trip was sensational - hate the hoard of taxi drivers at the front door of the train station when exiting. A proper shuttle service with a counter would be nice. A very pleasant experience all in all and doubt I will drive too often from now on, especially with the state of the roads.

[@PlasticExtrusionProfiles]

Thanks for the video, this is my first to see this new train running on the Laos' land. Looking forward to go there one day.

[@ichenhong]

Clean and comfortable, and never be late, and enjoy the scenery along the way. The best means of travel.

[@ThongvanNonsithanh]

Hello Todd, Very nice, thanks for sharing. ✌️✌️✌️✌️🍷🍷🍷

[@alanOHALAN]

In order to do online ticketing, you need an internet network which is something has to do with telecommunication infrastructure. Maybe in the future for Laos.

[@gordo191]

Thanks for this video mate , we need our spirits lifted here from the Sunshine Coast to the South Coast its flooding towns like Lismore are actually disappearing and unfortunately there have been a dozen drownings and there is no relief in sight, I needed this video today ,

[@sexygirlove20]

sorry see your part of aus is getting smashed.... hello from mackay

[@gordo191]

@@sexygirlove20 thanks ,

[@nickhubbard3671]

Thanks for the update. I think the “lot fai” is great. As a falang that’s used to “process, procedures, implementation of software solutions” I fizzle - and demand a Beer Lao. Scrotum tree 555!

[@LaoSoftware]

Here in Seattle in the USA, we get our Beerlao at the Total Wines and More supermarket. We are spoiled. It's the only specialty market that specializes in international beer and wines in my city.

[@Bad_Karma1968]

The view from the train is great 👍🏻 See how it is when the novelty wears off

[@costasworldofmusicmemories5792]

Todd, It sounds like they have a few bugs to work out of the system. I think they will figure it out ,as to what works and what doesn't. What do you think Todd? Hope Harriet and i will be able to visit soon and enjoy a smooth train ride. All the best. 🙌👍 Jim and Harriet. Richmond, Va.

[@stephenling1598]

Great info. Love your humor in your commentary. 👍🤣

[@leeteelee9613]

So happy for the Laos people，Love from China.

[@chrisperkins7331]

Hi Todd Good to see they are making progress, to get a regular ticketing system. If you ever used the cross border bus from VT to Thailand, you would recognize the system they are using for the train. It is exactly the same. As for your return journey, if you are on the short route (that the mini vans use) it will be very different from the long route that the bigger buses take.

[@jimmylam9846]

The American had dropped 270 million cluster bombs on Laos during VN war era.This project Chinese PLA deplored 500 men and half a year to sweep bombs along the track..........still there are 80 million unexploded bombs remained in the country

[@petercoleman6138]

Hey todd Peter from Sydney we caught a train in China 2019 just before all hell let loose the train was on magnetic tracks it got up to 430km is the train you were travelling on was magnetic or on rails cheers. Ps cannot get enough of your videos love what you do with the Lao people you help so much love the scenery.

[@bobbyus]

I think that's the maglev train in Shanghai that u took. The fastest train so far in the world. The one is Laos is only clocked at 160 km. To go higher speeds meant much higher costs and that wouldn't have benefited the Laos people too much. Can't wait to try this train out. I never been to Laos before

[@zoomzoom3186]

Laos and China together for ever as Brothers. Let's not get trick again.

[@112313]

incredible laos has high speed rails before even Malaysia or thailand.....well done america...you successfully controlled these governments so much to prevent progress.

[@itookallthenames]

Looks like I can forget about catching this train!

[@chaozi6688]

If the border is open, it is estimated that there will be more than six pairs of trains a day. Because China has 20 pairs of trains on the same railway line every day, there will be online ticket purchases in the future.

[@NowinLao]

6 pairs + freight on a single line?

[@chaozi6688]

@@NowinLao is to increase the number of daily trains

[@NowinLao]

@@chaozi6688 yes I understand that, but can a single line handle that much traffic without causing delays?

[@小宝-h9o]

@@NowinLao the upper limit for single line is about 40 pairs, by building more crossing stations this limit could improve to 60. The railway between Kunming (7 million ppl) and Chengdu (20 million ppl) is single line, and just comes to full capacity last 2 years ago.

[@NowinLao]

Ok, cool. Thanks for taking the time to explain that 👍

[@rasamyluangraj4450]

Good job bro! Fc from USA.

[@NowinLao]

Thanks 👍

[@level1selamat155]

Good video mate many thanks

[@TavornInvestor]

สวยมาก

[@Fredroc57]

I have a feeling that the slower train on a one-track is going to cause more than it's worth. I see major delays ahead with a slower loco. They might want to think about that before implementation. It is good to see the many people enjoying the service.🙏👍

[@sexygirlove20]

it will just slot in with the container trains... i do not believe the " fast " train is segrigated like the japanese or chinese trains

[@Fredroc57]

@@sexygirlove20 I agree but, freight usually on a one-track system runs primarily at night as not to interfere with the passenger service. Freight trains take a lot of time to slow and pull into stops adding a passenger train on that timeline is going to be tricky. Before moving forward with a new train service it's best to work out what you already have and find the solution to the problems that already exist. Thanks for the reply. I'll have a look at your videos on your channel soon.🙏👍

[@RobotsWithKnivesCartoons]

@@Fredroc57 It's a difference between 160km/h vs 120km/h so long as they aren't trying to run a train every 15min they should be fine, between Vientiane and Lang Vieng the difference should be about 17min based on rough calculation. Now I realize the train line is longer but I'm not sure how many trips per day the rail is making but it would make sense to use the additional train on the highest demanded part of the line. Trains work well more due to volume of passengers and cargo vs top speed (although speed is nice) I didn't find how many trips the train is making a day after a brief search, but knowing that would give us an idea of how effecting adding a slower train into the system would be.

[@sexygirlove20]

@@Fredroc57 europe...yes, you are correct.... however this line was built as a fast freight line... it will connect to the thai system where it will then connect to the malay system to singapore... it will also connect to the new container terminal being built in myanmar ( burma )..which will be the largest in the world......at thai border these lines will run container trains 120 - 160 kph... there is no money in running just two pair of trains per day...freight must make the money.... check out the chinese high speed lines... they loose money because they are a public service to move millions of people....

[@gendiabdi7281]

Success! No need to fear Western or any Debt Traps for Laos! Laos is not land locked any more! Trains go from Thailand and Laos to Qongching and Chengdu and from there to Europe.

[@JC-kl1sw]

Good observations on the issues/glitches. There are ready solutions they can copy from China. For example, online ticket buying, automatic ticket vending machines. I wonder why they don't just copy these systems. Also the seat direction can be easily switched by pulling a lever under the seat. This is something should be done by the staff before boarding. But you are right they don't have enough trains. Laos government is probably realizing they should have built double as much capacity. One thing the Chinese have learned to do was to always build way ahead for the future, which requires good vision cannot always follow accounting people.

[@林千山]

In China, just use your mobile phone to buy tickets. Use an ID card, mobile phone, or face-sweep car. Hope this feature can be implemented as soon as possible. It's very convenient.

[@KavanOBrien]

Good but very surprised how many using the train must be better up north by the amount of people going there , the inevitable song= ( Ticket To Ride = The Beatles).

[@raymondchen6230]

Man laos landscape so beautiful😮😮

[@igorotjjchaomol18]

Wow! That railway is great. Hopefully I can travel to Laos also someday. China 🇨🇳 is also great. 👍

[@nate_jm]

@11:00 from what I see/ hear from reports, the tickets seem very cheap. Do you think prices will eventually increase? especially seen as they are creating more ticket offices/ online services.

[@mabo9636]

Right now. Everything is going up. Food, oil, metal etc. How is possible train tickets stay the same?

[@nate_jm]

@@mabo9636 as long as Beer Lao stays down, I'll be happy.

[@VIXAI9999]

It's great busetiful lao

[@mtnmandeluxe5429]

Hey brother,,,much better! I'd love to do that ride someday. The garden at the end was fabulous,,was it a zoo too? Well,,,I fell instantly in love during the train ride. In an Uncleish sort of way,,maybe,,I think. What a glorious name,,Guitar! Tell that girl she already has an old guy in love with her because of her name. Lol Every time I heard the name,,I'd have this montage go off in my head,,of Hendrix, Jimmy Page,,Neil Young,,George Harrison,,Jeff Beck,,,Mark Knopfler,,,Joe Satriani,,The Grateful Dead and Jefferson Airplane guitarists,,Chet Atkins,,Jerry Reed,,Marty Stuart and a hundred other guitar players. Different tones of voice would bring on different players. Lmao. Never in my life have I ever met another person with that name,,not even during the era of magical drug induced made up names.(hippie days)lol I'm a fan!thanks for the cool little trip,,,," he was a day tripper,yeah, it took me so long to find out,,,but I found out". That day was a beautiful travel day. I'd imagine you all could see from mountains to mountains . Hope you and Neenee and everyone else has a great week. What is Koko up to these days?,,,Take care of yourself Todd,,,,Ttyl,,,Marlon

[@dougm3037]

Did the train get in on time? Imagine how hard it would have been to get tickets if covid hadn't crushed overseas tourism.

[@NowinLao]

Bang on time 👌 Yeah.. my thoughts are, what's gonna happen when they are smashed by international tourists. 🤔

[@LaoSoftware]

Here in Seattle in the USA. We don't have to wear masks anymore if you're fully vaccinated. But I'm still wearing my mask because I feel naked without it.

[@kylejason8488]

the seat direction can be easily switched by pulling a lever under the seat.

[@NowinLao]

Where the recharging power points are?.. No. These seats can not be turned, they are fixed.

[@darrell3O87OO]

Would be nice if the train travelled down to Cambodia (Phnom Penh, Siem Reap). Would be very popular for tourists and improve the national economy of Laos and Cambodia.

[@NowinLao]

That would've been a better route. Taking in Thakhek, Savannakhet, Pakse, phnom Pehn, back up to Siem Reap and across into Thailand from there 👌

[@Murph945]

Mate you never even mentioned the Elephants, I thought they were statues until they moved. My Missus was in LPG last weekend, but she drove up. I'll have to go when I get back to Lao in April 👍🏻

[@NowinLao]

Haha you'll see them in an upcoming video from that day.. 👍

[@imperialkhmer6146]

I hope there will be a line from Guangzhou to Phnom Penh. This will make it easier for Chinese families from both cities to visit their families.

[@somphonexaysinnolay8439]

Dude unbelievable lao country faster train having Dude

[@laohu5511]

the issue of capacity can be solved by with more trains.

[@NowinLao]

Yes. You can't sell tickets if you have no seats 👌

[@jeremiah6617]

How much are the train tickets? Where can you go with the train?

[@nationalautosales1]

nice day

[@alvinnnliu]

6:56 Planet Pandora!

[@cinpeace353]

Can you imagine a country like Laos is having an electrical high speed train that North America don't have? The world is changing so fast. Best wishes to Laos!

[@berschte]

Sorry I could not understand everything, where can you buy tickets in Vientiane and when? Are more trains being purchased right now?

[@portline3]

Yes it's certainly been a runaway success.......more than a lot of us thought it would be! Eventually they are going to have to aquire more high speed trains to increase capacity. The 120 kph train is not going to fit in well amongst the high speed stuff and it will hog a valuable track path. Ok as a short term solution only. The line has been built as a single line and I think eventually prove to have been a false economy. Anyway good to see the crowds and busy stations. 👍👍😊

[@zl7491]

It actually makes the system much less efficient when trains from different speed categories are running at the same time. That's why China has separate railway systems. One for high speed passenger trains, one for slower and freigh trains.

[@zozomo2911]

There is no problem with a single-track railway running 30 pairs of trains a day, and the line is far from reaching saturation. Freight trains basically run late at night, while passenger trains run during the day.

[@gracetariao1075]

Do you still need a vaccination card to ride the train?

[@buc_mac]

Did he mention how long it took from Vientiane to Luang Prabang via train?

[@NowinLao]

I did in a previous video.. 1hr 45m

[@CUISONY]

Connecting two major BTC (Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism) nations.

[@ชีสัน-ฮ2ฌ]

สวัสดีครับສະບາຍດີ

[@春天的猫]

I think the seats can swith the direction~

[@NowinLao]

No, they're fixed

[@rider660r]

There is always a place to go...lol If you have your vehicle,open the door and lean out...done that at many red lights in the US..haha If there is secluded area...just walk there. ( I seen one vid,Luang Prabang?) where there was plenty of area...lol It's hard to find a spot in a hurry,but I would often find so so places in places like D.C...US.

[@rider660r]

120 kph is what MPH... (going to cross referance it).. Anyhow till then,I cut trees along Amtrak line in the US.Those trians were only supposed to go 125mph.Many of them ran 150-160. We had to have a Amtrak supervisor there,and he would tell us 5 min out tht one was coming and we had to get at least 60' off the rail..and usually to be safe to get behind a tree bigger than we were. Ohh.. 125 mph is 201 kph, 150-160 is 241-257kph. 125 kph is only 77mph,I do that in a car almost everywhere.If the sign recommends 40mph around a turn etc.I can usually double that.

[@rider660r]

Tui is beautiful...not the rest weren't..I just love a woman with glasses.

[@rider660r]

@ 6:58 those mountains are beautiful..... In a way I'm glad I'm no longer logging but I also would like the challenge...haha

[@soonmeteh4150]

should install self-service ticket sell machine or ticket selling apps on mobile when they can afford those investment.

[@WHENEVERIMAYROAM-o8u]

Any word on opening the Lao border soon?

[@NowinLao]

You need to watch more regularly.. kzbin.info/www/bejne/f6qvamCMa7hog9E

[@JiamiaoXiao]

The Chinese didn't deliver the online ticket system and automatic gates But the security checkpoint system? You could buy your ticket online and use your foreign passport to enter the boarding gate in China. That offsets the waste of time on the crazy security checkpoint queues. The Laos should introduce the highly automatic ticketing system and get rid of the useless security checkpoints. That would make more pleasant experiences for passengers.

[@nouyeethao4394]

good for lao country

[@zl7491]

If Laos imports the slower trains from China, it would further reduce the cost. Half the speed, half the cost. Tickets on slower trains in China cost about 1/3 of the fast trains.

[@zozomo2911]

From Vientiane to Luang Prabang EMU first-class seat is 313,000 kip (US$ 27), second-class seat is 198,000 kip (US $ 17), 120km/h ordinary train fare is 140,000 kip (US $ 12)

[@wengfookchia4691]

Simple mind

[@laohu5511]

@@wengfookchia4691 not in my experience tickets on conventional trains are not 1/3 of the price nothing like it, did you get that figure off western media? I used to travel via both modes of transport at most it was 25% more expensive and how to get think that running a train slower is going to significantly reduce costs? Do staff get paid less, maintence workers, spare parts, you could argue less energy less cost due to reduced speed the problem with that is in business time is money esp with freight. The cost of the train needs to be less than the cost of the bus or at least not a lot more expensive.

[@mitchhumlao]

As some who has lived on and off in Lao and my wife is Lao we don't look forward to riding the train just yet. I for one would like to be able to buy a round trip ticket. It seems all the involved you can just take a van like you rode back in and not really have lost any time. Also having been in country a lot I have seen the Lao people run in droves to anything new and then with some time the crowd slows down a lot. Then off to the next new thing. I do understand all this but the lack of Lao riding the train in the future I think tourists will fill the gaps. I hope this turns out however the Lao people want. As a non citizen I don't get a vote. lets get that border open. Thanks you are my fix while being away. Joh

[@Swaggerlot]

You looked like you were a bit short of breath in the garden or had you just walked up a hill?

[@tedb5432]

Very nice, US of A and EUSSR want these Asian and African countries to remain, with no infrastructures. Countries will never develop without debt; airports, ports, and roads cost money. US of A is borrowing 2.5 trillion for infrastructure, and their debt pile is 30 trillion. China's loans are pretty low compared to loans made by the Paris club. African countries having airports and trains now is a boost to their GDP.

[@lionheart3025]

我查了一些信息，发现中国同承认车型的火车座椅也无法旋转。 因为这种型号的机身比中国的CR380系列列车窄。 座椅没有足够的旋转空间，否则中央走廊会很窄。 这将节省服务人员的劳动力并节省成本。 当交通量增加时，铁路速度将升级，并且有可能更改为更好的列车。

[@fransandreas8897]

👍👍👍🙏

[@taotao98103]

Why aren't the seats turned?

[@NowinLao]

They are fixed seats

[@taotao98103]

@@NowinLao seriously？Most of China's trains' seats are reversible. I thought this one was too. A little bit weird.

[@NowinLao]

@Zohar Not on these trains... Half face forward, half face back. They are fixed as they have charging stations below the front of your seat, near your calves. If they rotated you would not be able to access this. Plus they are reclining seats with meal trays that come out of the arm rest, which would leave no room for you if they did.

[@呵呵哈]

因为翻转对身体会造成伤害，估计只有乘务人员才可以，高铁往前开人就面对前方最安全，如果翻转，万一出现问题，人的身体调整不过来会造成更大伤害，理论上不建议翻转

[@呵呵哈]

只有火车调头的时候乘务人员会统一翻转，为了安全

[@puggsincyberspace]

Did Neenee colour her hair?

[@manimalworks7424]

German TV station said the train was built to serve only Chinese, how come you guys can ride it?

[@NowinLao]

Because the German TV station got it wrong.. 😉

[@laohu5511]

the chinese always build railway in other countries making use they can't use it and then get them to pay for it, that makes a lot of sense...................In Germany.

[@laohu5511]

railways....

[@SidSaynamgeuim]

Do they have outside toilets for people to use by now?

[@NowinLao]

I couldn't see any..

[@CaptainKremmen]

I'm trying to think if I've been to any station in the world were you aren't allowed inside and can't buy food. A station should also be in a central location. Look at Hua Lumphong in Bangkok. The Laos setup looks incredibly poor, almost as though they want it to lose money. However, the upside is the appearance of food vendors outside. I wonder who owns the land nearby? It's ripe for some company to build a hotel complex next to it and provide all the facilities, including toilets, that the station fails to provide.

[@adfilluz]

I think it's because of their covid restriction that they can't fully capitalise the inside space for now, like if you see from the video how the seats are still barred. Yes, it's always the best for a station to be centrally located in the city, but there are still ways to make it work if it's located at the outskirts. Hua Lamphong is now an obsolete example as it's gonna be closed and its function gonna be replaced by the Bang Sue station which is further away from the city centre. Yes, it may look like Laos setup is all over the place, but then again it's the first time for such country to have this kind of infrastructure. Give them time, especially for a country like Laos (or Southeast Asian in general, where they may be less fast-pace/efficient than East Asian lol). By the way, I think calling this to be deliberate money-loser would be too much, remember this train line also serves freight, and right now international travellers can't really go into Laos for now.

[@CaptainKremmen]

@@adfilluz Hua Lamphong is being closed because the land around it is worth a fortune and they want to make money, not because it's obsolete. This is another example of other interests trumping the interests of the users of the system, which is why there has been such a public backlash over it. Even so, Bang Sue at least has an MRT station, so it's still accessible without taxis, etc.

[@adfilluz]

@@CaptainKremmen okay my bad for Hua Lamphong. Anyway, what I'm trying to say is stations being located away from the city centre are not necessarily bad, and compare to the hundreds of kilometres of train routes they are meant to serve, a few kilometre journey to the city centre can be tolerated, just like airports. Public transport like buses can be established between the station and city centre, and if let say Vientiane grows to like Bangkok they can establish MRT. Same goes to Bang Sue, it's not as central as Hua Lamphong but it's meant to serve future HSR of hundreds of km across Thailand so a mere additional few km trip to the city centre should be a minor issue. I do agree against demolishing Hua Lamphong though, it's culturally iconic and if done right can emulate iconic stations like those in London, but of course I don't see it has the sufficient capacity to be Thailand's main train hub today.

[@mabo9636]

@@adfilluz you are right. The train passing hua lamphong still uses ground level crossing. Which hinders the urban bangkok transportation.

[@mabo9636]

@@adfilluzanother thing is that nobody want their house be demolished for the railway. Railway companies priority is to cut down the cost for the construction. Even though people live far away. It is still their first choice for sure.

[@scotbownes5627]

🙂👍

[@lluow]

Could you give the feedback to the government? I reckon they’d be interested.

[@billsimpson2392]

14:33 Did someone say "FREE BEER" ??????????

[@josephliu642]

western predict that the railway couldn’t be built within budget. Then they predicted that it is going to be a white elephant because no one could afford it.

[@chiccenhawkc]

💯🔥💙👍

[@elvinccw]

by the way I preferred American made high speed train, oh which their own citizens can't even enjoy it.. Maybe wait for a few more decades

[@khammany7361]

Are Americans with Pfizer or moderna vaccinations allowed to travel on those trains now?