Bangkok Airways to Temporarily Suspend Bangkok-Vientiane Flights

Bangkok Airways to Temporarily Suspend Bangkok-Vientiane Flights



Bangkok Airways has announced that it will suspend routes between Bangkok and Vientiane until further notice amid a drop in the number of passengers.

The operation of PG943 Bangkok-Vientiane and PG944 Vientiane-Bangkok will be suspended from March 10, except for March 24, while PG949 Bangkok-Vientiane and PG940 Vientiane-Bangkok will not operate from March 29.

“Bangkok Airways Public Company Limited announces a decrease in flight frequency as well as flight termination on certain domestic and international routes to be in line with current passenger demand,” the airline explained.

“This also follows the airline’s expense reduction plans which were launched earlier this month due to the global economic slowdown combined with the COVID-19 epidemic,” the company added.

Further information about affected flights can be found at Bangkok Airways’ website.

~The Laotian Times~

Laos Suspends Visas at Checkpoints Bordering China

Laos Suspends Visas at Checkpoints Bordering China



The Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a notice to all checkpoints bordering China to temporarily suspend the issuance of tourist visas to those entering the Lao PDR from China.

The notice reads, “due to the outbreak of the new Coronavirus originating in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, which has spread rapidly across China and other nations, causing widespread illness and death, in order to protect our nation from the threat of this virus, the consular department instructs all international checkpoints bordering China to temporarily suspend the issuance of tourist visas for entry into the Lao PDR for all visitors wishing to travel from China, commencing 2 February 2020 until further notice.”

The Lao PDR set up a task force last month to assess the impact of an outbreak of the new Coronavirus, although no case has yet been confirmed in the country.

In particular, the task force will conduct inspections in at-risk locations such as ports of entry, transport stations, hospitals, and markets, while arranging specialized healthcare service points across the country.

The country’s flagship airline, Lao Airlines, announced that it will temporarily cancel all flights from Vientiane to three destinations in China, namely Changzhou, Shanghai, and Hangzhou, as part of precautions in the wake of the virus outbreak.

As of February, no cases of the virus have been confirmed in Laos, and there is also no report of a confirmed case among Lao nationals living in foreign countries including China.

~The Laotian Times~

Thailand Considers Double Visa, 24-Hr Nong Khai Checkpoint

Thailand Considers Double Visa, 24-Hr Nong Khai Checkpoint



According to reports in the Thai media, the Kingdom of Thailand is set to introduce a double visa, allowing visitors to exit the country and re-enter, and may open the Nong Khai checkpoint 24-hours.

The news comes after Thailand began enforcing strict new visa policies in 2016, allowing foreigners of many nations only two entries by land per year.

The 2016 policy change deeply affected expatriates living in Laos, many of whom had previously traveled to Thailand for leisure or for medical reasons on a weekly or daily basis.

A report in The Thaiger today quotes Deputy Secretary-General to the Thai PM, Kobsak Pootrakul, as saying a double-entry tourism visa will be introduced. The new visa will allow visitors to enter, leave, and then re-enter Thailand during their stay in the Kingdom.

According to other reports, Mr. Kobsak has even said that a multiple entry visa may be considered in the future.

Thailand hopes to bring 42 million visitors to Thailand in 2020, after various factors, including an ultra-strong baht, have slowed tourism in the land of smiles.

The new double visa could help the country see more visits from expatriates in neighboring countries, including Laos, and entice tourists to re-enter Thailand after visiting other countries.

24-Hour Visa Checkpoint at Nong Khai

Reports from Thai media are also stating that the border checkpoint at Nong Khai could be set to open 24-hours.

The new hours would be trialed for three months, and if successful would continue. So far, no official statement has been made by Lao authorities in regard to 24-hour operations at the border.

~Laotian Times~

Thai-Lao meet to mull border links

Thai-Lao meet to mull border links

Thailand and Laos will hold talks over cross-border railway links and the introduction of a single visa during a joint cabinet meeting in Chiang Mai next month.

The meeting will take place on May 19 on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Water Summit.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul and his Lao counterpart Thongloun Sisulit agreed on the arrangements at the 18th Thai-Lao Joint Commission meeting in Prachuap Khiri Khan yesterday.

Mr Surapong said the joint cabinet meeting would be an unofficial one and only related ministers from both countries will attend.

It would be the second Thai-Lao cabinet meeting after the first one was held eight years ago.

Ministers from both countries would discuss cross-border transport of goods, a railway linkage from Thailand via Laos to China, and the introduction of a single visa.

Thailand was ready to develop the railway and would like Laos to hold talks about the issue with China, the minister said.

Border demarcation between the nations is now 93% complete, and will be discussed by senior officials early next month before going to the Joint Boundary Committee meeting in August, Mr Surapong said.

Mr Thongloun said the border problem was a sensitive issue which must be handled carefully.

"It might take time to tackle because the land and water borders are quite long, but I believe the negotiations will come out in a good way," Mr Thongloun said.

Mr Surapong said the countries are planning to upgrade the two temporary border checkpoints at Ban Phudu in Uttaradit province and Ban Huay in Phu Sang district of Phayao province to permanent checkpoints while the process of crossing the border will also be relaxed.

He said Laos is encouraging Thais to invest in the country. Thai investment currently ranks third in Laos after China and Vietnam's.

~News courtesy of Bangkok Post~

Thai - Lao Crossborder Train