Not a single bridge spanned the mighty Mekong River, until the completion of the Thai-Laos Friendship bridge connecting the two Indo-Chinese neighbors. “All on Board.”
Now travel between the two countries will be eased by the April debut of direct rail service from Bangkok to Tanalaeng in Laos. This extension of tracks will finally drag the Land of Elephants into the ranks of nations with rail service. Somehow French neglected to bless Laos with a le chemin de fer in their noble colonization experiment.
Thailand’s permanent minister of Transport has eight syllable in his name and has never been known as Khun Choo-choo. He is proud to initiate this service under his watch and hopes tourists will take advantage of this overnight alternative to the bus or plane.
Personally I like train travel in Thailand. Sleeper cars are comfortable, although the porters like travelers to hit the sack around 8pm. for those unable to sleep spend a few hours in the dining car whose menu is better than the ones offered by the waiters. Drinking whiskey with complete strangers speaking an indecipherable language next to the rocking kitchen is a great Asian experience, as if waking up with a Mekong Whiskey hang-over.
Be sure to take a bottle of water to bed with you.
If comes in handy, because dawn comes early for the porters.
As the cock crows.
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