If you want to train from Bangkok to Vientiane in Laos, you can now almost reach the Laos capital, as there is a small stretch of railway line that crosses over the Friendship Bridge, crossing the Mekong River and the Thai – Laos border at the same time.
The first thing you have to do is catch a train from Bangkok to Nong Khai.
From Nong Khai you then have to catch the train over the Friendship Bridge to Laos.
The train station, just 4 kilometres over the Laos border where the train terminates is called Thanaleng Railway Station (also called Dongphosy Railway Station as it is located in Dongphosy village).
From here you can catch a minibus to the Vientiane city centre, located 20 kilometres away, for around 50 baht per person.
This track was originally planned to be extended all the way to Vientiane, but now plans have changed and there is a new plan. Now Bangkok will eventually be connected to Vientiane by the high-speed train project, using a different train line and a new bridge over the Mekong.
This will not be completed for a number of year, so far now if you want to travel from Thailand to Laos by train. This is the only way that it is possible and Thanaleng station will remain the only train station in Laos for a few more tears