Laos-Thailand cross-border passenger train service begins operation

The Laos-Thailand cross-border passenger train service officially started operation on Friday, enhancing rail connectivity between Vientiane and Bangkok while linking up with the China-Laos railway.

The first train on the rail line set off Friday night from the Bangkok Apiwat Station in the Thai capital and arrived at Khamsavath Station in Vientiane after a 10-hour trip covering a distance of 634 kilometers.

A welcome ceremony for the first group of passengers was held Saturday morning at Khamsavath, just 17 kilometers away from the Laos-China Railway Vientiane Station.

In the past, the railway link between Thailand and Laos spanned only 3.5 kilometers and mainly operated freight trains. The commencement of the cross-border passenger service means not only that Thai travelers can venture deeper into Laos to experience the country's beautiful scenery, but can even conveniently transfer to the China-Laos railway line for a journey to China.

The ticket prices range from 281 to 874 baht (about 7 to 24 U.S. dollars). Railway staff told China Central Television (CCTV) that the tickets were quickly sold out.

"When we learned the new railway line was opening, our family came here to experience it. We want to see the Patuxai Victory Gate in Vientiane and taste local cuisines. We learned that we can continue to take a train from Laos to Kunming, China. We are very interested in this. We will consider traveling to China via the China-Laos railway on our next trip," said a tourist from Thailand.

Officials and railway operators said the new train service, as part of the cooperative projects between the two governments to facilitate cross-border travel, is expected to enhance regional connectivity and bolster economic, trade, and tourism cooperation.

"We have prepared shuttle buses for passengers heading for Vientiane Station on the China-Laos Railway. They can continue to take the train to China. Some passengers choose to travel across Laos along the China-Laos Railway line. We will provide quality services for all of them," said Daochinda Siharath, director-general of Lao National Railway State Enterprise.

"The Thai-China high-speed rail project is underway. And today, the passenger train between Thailand and Laos is launched. Tourists can take this train and change to the Laos-China Railway route to enter China. It forms a two-way exchange. This is the result of the cooperation in promoting rail connectivity among Thailand, Laos and China," said Surapong Piyachote, Thailand's Deputy Minister of Transport.

Laos-Thailand cross-border passenger train service begins operation

Laos-Thailand cross-border passenger train service begins operation

Laos-Thailand cross-border passenger train service begins operation

Laos-Thailand cross-border passenger train service begins operation

Laos-Thailand cross-border passenger train service begins operation

Athletes from various ethnic groups across China competed in both traditional sports, such as crossbow shooting and dragon boat racing, and new additions like the debut of coconut tree climbing race on the first official competition day of China's 12th National Traditional Games of Ethnic Minorities.

Opening in Sanya, a coastal city of Hainan Province, on Friday, the grand event gathers nearly 7,000 athletes representing 35 delegations across China who will compete in 18 sports and three demonstration sports. The nine-day event will conclude on November 30.

Competitors at the event are expected to not only showcase their skills and traditional culture, but also enjoy the fun of sports.

Inspired by local people's physical labor of climbing trees to harvest coconuts in Hainan, the coconut tree climbing race made its first appearance this year.

Twelve teams from provinces including Hainan and north China's Hebei participated.

"I feel so excited. I like the sport item very much. It gives us a chance to see the unique customs of different ethnic groups. It's a wonderful chance for us to have such exchanges. I'm so happy to be here," said a spectator from northeast China's Heilongjiang Province.

The board-shoe racing, a popular traditional sport, pits teams of three athletes wearing a single pair of wooden board shoes against each other. Originating from southwestern regions including China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, the event has grown in popularity, attracting participants from northern provinces as well.

"The board-shoe racing exemplifies the sports wisdom and collaborative spirit of ethnic minorities. There are 30 teams participating in the event. The registration shows that it is increasingly popular among people of all ethnic groups. Provinces in the northern part are also actively participating in this event. It witnesses the multicultural integration and exchange among Chinese ethnic groups," said Lu Guang, leader of board-shoe racing team from Shandong.

From land-based sports like crossbow shooting and wrestling to water events such as dragon boat racing, the first day of the games featured 15 competitions. Players can not only learn from each other by competing in the field, but also forge new friendship.

"We will show our best and show Yunnan's colorful national sports culture and hard-working and simple spirit," said Li Jixin, coach of dragon boat racing team from Yunnan.

"They are rivals on the field and friends off the field. Athletes' mutual communication and discussion are also conducive to strengthening exchanges between cultures of different ethnic groups," said Guan Yuanhong, leader of the crossbow shooting team from Jiangxi.

Brilliant traditional, new sports on competition day 1 of China's national minority games