🇩🇪 Bist du schon mit der Laos-China Railway gereist? Wenn ja, wie sind deine bisherigen Erfahrungen damit? UPDATE: Mein Blogartikel mit sämtlichen gesammelten Informationen und Erfahrungen rund um die LCR ist jetzt aktualisiert. Ich hoffe das hilft ein bisschen bei eurer Laos-Reiseplanung. Link in der Videobeschreibung. 🇬🇧 Did you travel with the Laos-China Railway yet? If yes, what's your experience with it so far? UPDATE: My blog article with all the collected information and experiences about the LCR is now updated. I hope this helps a bit with your Laos travel planning. Link in video description (German only!)
A video produced by a biased paternalistic Western commentator who finds fault in everything, except as regards the cleanliness of the train (which he cannot dispute in any case). The video also subtly hides an anti-China rhetoric ("China-Laos" or "Laos-China": who is the boss?). He also tries to hint that travelling on the Vientiane-Luang Prabang train is worthless because that flying is a cheap alternative, but does not provide the exact figures. Yet, a train ticket starts at 28 $, an air ticket at 105 $ (checked from Google), which is a huge difference. If the plane was a much better alternative as you propose ("You arrive in Luang Prabang in only 45 minutes"), why do Laotians still prefer riding the train? Do you think they are that stupid?
Thanks for the comment even though you clearly don't appreciated to information provided. If you don't like my way of presenting these information then feel free to ignore my channel. But just to get a few things straight. At no point I'm hinting that traveling with the LCR is worthless. If that would be that case I wouldn't bother to use it. I'm only sharing my experiences and sharing alternatives for travelers that haven't been to Laos or don't know how things work. It's also not my job to provide any exact figures. Again, I'm sharing my experiences. If you want exact figures then you better visit the companies official websites or consult a travel agency. You seem to be a grown person. So I'm sure you're capable of doing that. But since we're speaking of exact figures. It took me less than one minute to find out that a one-way ticket from Luang Prabang to Vientiane with Lao Skyway only costs 350,000 Kip ($24). So if you throw numbers out there, then at least do your research right. I cannot answer your last two questions. But I think just asking if the Lao people are stupid tells more about you than about me. I personally think it's just a matter of travel preferences.
@@avil8686 this information is already given in this thread. Those who can read, have a clear advantage, my friend. 😉😆 But just for you, you can purchase a one-way flight ticket from Luang Prabang to Vientiane on the Lao Skyway website from 350,000 Kip. Depending on the exchange rate it's more or less $24. As of today, it's even less than $21. ✌️
I live in Thailand. Luckily Thai bank do issue union pay card. I wonder if Visa or Master card charge Railway Station too much commission? The credit card is not widely accepted in the Makro in Thailand either. But in the big C and gas stations is accepted
@Chris Fritze it is possible but not practical. you need a document to prove your address by immigration of Thailand which require your condo rental contact and other landlords documentation
@@mabo9636 Ok. Thanks! From my little Thailand experiences you can pay pretty much everywhere with Visa or Mastercard. Is that right? I can't imagine to have such payment issues over there.
I think LCR will introduce Bank of China as acquiring bank to accept Visa and Mastercard, like what China Railway 12306 has done before. Those two online ticketing systems should be from the same developer: China Academy of Railway Sciences (CARS). But, as you know, China Railway's core task is delivering every person to their destination, not providing 5-Star Airline service, so don't expect too much on the app's user experience🤫. I once heard there are some "practical difficulties" for online ticketing and ticket machines, maybe poor network connection in Laos?
I personally think the network is working fine and the app looks all right to me as well so far. Let's see how things will go and maybe things will be resolved in another year.
You can purchase ticket by an App, if you are a Laotian with a local debit account in a Lao bank Foreign passport holders cannot buy online, even if they have a local bank account..
@Tenzin Dorin I know. I'm covering this topic in this video as well. 😉 Did you already buy a ticket through the app? If yes, did it work? How did you pay for it?
Hey Chris, gibt es schon etwas Neues zur LCR-App? Kann man mittlerweile mit der App Tickets buchen, also ich als Tourist? Registrieren kann ich mich nicht, da ich keine Laos Sim habe. Überlegung ist, wenn man eine Sim hat Tickets buchen zu können. Gruß Stefan P.S.: Hast lange kein neues Video mehr gepostet ;-)
Hallo Stefan! Ja, man kann mittlerweile Tickets in der App kaufen und auch mit Kreditkarte bezahlen. Ich habe es schon einige Male gemacht und es funktioniert gut. Deine Überlegung ist macht Sinn. PS: Mein letzter Video-Upload ist erst fünf Tage her. 😉
Du die Fahrt Luang Prabang nach Vang Vieng ist doch spannend und teils landschaftlich atemberaubend. Gerade für Touristen die das nur 1x in ihrem Leben machen ist das sehr zu empfehlen.
Es sagt ja niemand dass es unspannend ist. 😉 Wenn man aber wirklich die atemberaubende Landschaft sehen möchte, dann würde ich erst recht eine Fahrt mit dem Minivan oder am allerbesten mit dem Fahrrad empfehlen. Dann hat man das ultimative Landschaft-Erlebnis. Die Zugstrecke zwischen Luang Prabang und Vang Vieng besteht zur Hälfte aus Tunneln. Da sieht man nicht allzuviel. Und nach 18 Uhr, so wie in diesem Video, ist es schon dunkel und man sieht gar nichts. ✌️
That would be for sure a nice trip. I wouldn't mind to do it the other way around. Do you've any clue when China will reopen the borders for tourists again?
@@ChrisFritze It's from HKSTV. Due to current status, closure of border is absolutely unnecessary. You will find the policy update in no more than 1-2 weeks. I found the landscape is quite good here from many videos, blue sky and green mountain。
If you come back a couple of of years later, you will see a lot of chances chances, if they are keeping deeper security, more safe you can have, however still better than say sorry, I knew what is you are thinking and wanting
Hi! Yes, Laos is open for tourism. You need of course a valid passport and tourist visa as well as proof that you're fully vaccinated against Covid-19. That's it! ✌️
Ja, kann man. Aber nur, wenn man es in einen Karton oder Fahrrad-Transporttasche verpackt. Also wie im Flugzeug. Mehr Infos zur Bahn findest du auf meiner Website. bit.ly/3xOhR40
google maps says almost 2 hours by car to go from Vientiane to VV. how long was the train ride? the train seemed pretty packed so clearly people see value in the train.
Yes, the people really do. I've done this trip by train and minivan. Both times it took about one hour. As said in the video, there's no traffic on the expressway. So it's a quick drive. Some friends told me recently that they even made it in 45 minutes with their own car.
Eine Reise damit steht auch noch auf meiner Liste. Im Juni war es eine ziemliche Katastrophe ein Ticket zu bekommen. Sieht jedoch alles recht modern aus und ist eine Abfertigung wie am Flughafen.
Hi! Leider spreche ich kein Chinesisch, daher hoffe ich, dass Google Translate hier einen guten Job macht. 😅 Ich lese laufend Kommentare von Fahrgästen in den sozialen Medien, dass der Ticketkauf per App immernoch nicht funktioniert. Es scheint also doch irgendwelche Probleme zu geben. Was die Dame im Zug neben mir angeht. Sie war dort mit ihrem Partner und die beiden sind eine Station vor mir ausgestiegen. Dennoch hatte ich ein nettes Gespräch mit den beiden. Ich habe also gar nichts verpasst. Vor allem keine Liebe. 😅
Well since it's 70% financed by China and 30% on Cambodia side, it's obvious the major shareholder is China, so I guess it's named China-Laos rather than Laos-China. More importantly, does it benefit the local businesses and people living around it....if it does, then it serves its purpose other than being a passenger train. The way I see it it's prob still a better form of "colonialism" from the western ones (read France) that didn't bring any major benefits to Laos during its occupation.
@@ChrisFritze Although Singapore is too small to be used for comparison, I shall use Singapore metro as an analogy. When Singapore govt first mooted the idea of a metro (here known as MRT), there were quite a few naysayers (including myself) who felt Singapore is too small to justify building on land and underground MRTs. Then over a few years of commute, I found that it actually take us from pt A to pt B much faster even though it's a small city-state/country. So first to benefit would be residents who find it useful to do so for the purpose of commute/travel. And because it's easier for people to travel, increased human traffic brings more businesses to small enterprises, restaurants, shops that are next to MRT. Certain places become more accessible and convenient to get to. For these to happen, it can almost happen immediately or after some years (because other facilties around it hasn't been built to attrace the masses it needed). So I feel it should minimally benefit in these few ways to the small businesses and to the residents. If ultimately after some years only benefitting the big corporations, then that means it hasn't trickled down to the masses and opportunities for the general public to prosper with the rail project would have failed, achieving only the aim to carry people from pt A to B, nothing more.
This is by far the most informative video about LCR I have seen. Thanks! I have few questions... hope it can be answered... So if you ask hotel staff help you to book a ticket. They use their ID to purchase the ticket. And when checking in, the customs will not check if the passenger passport match the ticket? And how many day exactly can be booked advacnde? If I go to one of the ticket center on Monday, Can I buy ticket for Thursday? Thanks!!!
I'm glad to hear it helps! Yes, whoever buys the ticket for you needs your passport or at least a picture of it. Your passport number will be on your ticket. It'll be checked. So it has to match. If it doesn't, then you can't even enter the train station. You can buy a ticket three days in advance (sometimes only two). With the app you're supposed to buy it seven days in advance.
@@ChrisFritze The app does not seem to work. All slot are not available.. Could it be only be use inside Laos? Some said foreigners can not book ticket in advance. Anyway thanks again I will see if my hotel can help me for a ticket. If not I will do it myself...
@@blueli6351 everyone can buy tickets. There's no difference between locals and foreigners. Tickets are usually sold out fast. I can't say anything about the app. I never bought a ticket through it. If it doesn't work then maybe reach out to LCR and ask for assistance.
@@ChrisFritze Thank for the update. There are too much rumors.. On their LCR offical Facebook, they update the remaining tickets for the next two days everyday. It seem usually has plenty left to sale for the 1 days after, but not sure if it is accurate. I hope it is.
@@blueli6351 you're welcome! Yeah, I also heard many rumors from travelers recently. But if you get your ticket as I describe in this video then you should be fine. Everyone I know living in Laos does it like that. Safe travels! ✌️
@@ChrisFritze I agree with Animo ... Maybe a CIA stooge. Debt traps??? Please check US debt to GDP ratio, it's far higher than Laos. And why western country do not want to help Laos investing in infrastructure??? Only China want to help. If it's so profitable how the hell US Europe do not invest???😅😅😅
Look for a giant increase in Chinese tourism, trade, commerce, investments and development around where train stations are (hotels, restaurants, retail). Laos economy will start rising which is good for all involved
@@ChrisFritze yes Southeast Asia had a large Covid lockdown the past couple years so that’s been a big factor in the economies of Southeast Asia. But I’m sure it will be different in the future with trade, commerce and people
@@jvs333 the whole world was in lockdown in the past couple of years. That's not just a Southeast Asia phenomenon. I think a big factor for the country will be paying back the debt to China. Not only from this project. Also from many others around the country. It's hard believe that Laos can do it with continuous trade deficits. It's rather concerning. Thus it seems like it's more external parties will benefit from it but unfortunately not really Laos. However, of course I'm hoping for the best for the Laos economy.
@@ChrisFritze well I disagree on that, but I respect your thought out observation. I believe in most cases infrastructure contributes to growth and economic opportunities. Now those things will depend on how they are managed. I remember back in the 60s driving up I-5 in California. There’d be nothing but agri-fields with off ramps to gas-station minimarts, and that be it. Now those same off-ramps are busy areas with entire communities and businesses. I think the same will hold true with these BRI developments. Especially with them being of transport and logistical developments. With time I think the enormous scale of the BRI infrastructure network will open up markets and opportunities for all those involved. For Laos a landlocked country it now has access to the entire BRI rail network both for people and trade/commerce. Keep in mind this Laos rail has only been recently opened give it 3yrs for investments, businesses and enterprises to join in. The US/western propaganda narrative about China being a debt trap is a falsehood. The debt traps are based on loaning out the “money” which then is either syphoned off by corrupt officials or wasted on poorly managed projects that are all skimmed off of leading to either unfinished or shotty results. China’s approach is manage the entire project to secure its project proper completion. Train the people who will be operating it, create an operating system to guarantee a successful project. Therefor providing a foundation for success to be able to pay the debt. All the BRI projects China has completed are all benefiting the recipients of those projects. The US has invested, funded, orchestrated a well oiled propaganda “anti-China” campaign to denigrate China in an effort to stop its progress and becoming a global economic power. There’s a reason why all but two of the African nations invited to the Biden con show at the WH turned the US down and chose to stay with China. They know the real debt trap is the US/EU/IMF. PS: Laos past continuous trade deficits were largely due to being landlocked. This BRI rail system solves that problem
@@jvs333 I understand where you're coming from. But I think the big difference between the development in California in the 60s to the development in Laos right now is that it was funded by its own government. Here in Laos it's an external loan giver. So there was no external pressure to California. It also has nothing to do with western propaganda. It's just the official numbers given out by the Laotian government itself. It was also the Laotian government that announced recently that it's trying to postpone paying back their debts to creditors. I agree with you that it can give opportunities if the people play it right. However, from what's observable here so far it's mainly foreign businesses profiting from it but not local ones. But hey, I'm not here to judge. These are only my personal observations. I'm always saying, that every country has the right to go it's own way and every government has the obligation to do the best for its people. If this is the Laos way, then go for it.
@@ChrisFritze western people always see the negative side of China investment. They have brainwashed by western media. Normal people can see the benefits of investing in infrastructure but not western people.
@@ChrisFritze I think you just wanna prove that China infrastructure investment is bad... Laos deficit per GDP is far lower than US BTW. To improve economy one country need to have a good infrastructure, but maybe western people don't want Eastern countries improve the economy so they can always have their hegemony.
The stations look quite stunning against the dark nights sky.
Wow! I cannot believe that it has been one year alreadys, since the train started working.
Yeah, time is flying... or train-ing!? 😅
🇩🇪 Bist du schon mit der Laos-China Railway gereist? Wenn ja, wie sind deine bisherigen Erfahrungen damit?
UPDATE: Mein Blogartikel mit sämtlichen gesammelten Informationen und Erfahrungen rund um die LCR ist jetzt aktualisiert. Ich hoffe das hilft ein bisschen bei eurer Laos-Reiseplanung. Link in der Videobeschreibung.
🇬🇧 Did you travel with the Laos-China Railway yet? If yes, what's your experience with it so far?
UPDATE: My blog article with all the collected information and experiences about the LCR is now updated. I hope this helps a bit with your Laos travel planning. Link in video description (German only!)
A video produced by a biased paternalistic Western commentator who finds fault in everything, except as regards the cleanliness of the train (which he cannot dispute in any case). The video also subtly hides an anti-China rhetoric ("China-Laos" or "Laos-China": who is the boss?). He also tries to hint that travelling on the Vientiane-Luang Prabang train is worthless because that flying is a cheap alternative, but does not provide the exact figures. Yet, a train ticket starts at 28 $, an air ticket at 105 $ (checked from Google), which is a huge difference. If the plane was a much better alternative as you propose ("You arrive in Luang Prabang in only 45 minutes"), why do Laotians still prefer riding the train? Do you think they are that stupid?
Thanks for the comment even though you clearly don't appreciated to information provided. If you don't like my way of presenting these information then feel free to ignore my channel.
But just to get a few things straight. At no point I'm hinting that traveling with the LCR is worthless. If that would be that case I wouldn't bother to use it. I'm only sharing my experiences and sharing alternatives for travelers that haven't been to Laos or don't know how things work.
It's also not my job to provide any exact figures. Again, I'm sharing my experiences. If you want exact figures then you better visit the companies official websites or consult a travel agency. You seem to be a grown person. So I'm sure you're capable of doing that.
But since we're speaking of exact figures. It took me less than one minute to find out that a one-way ticket from Luang Prabang to Vientiane with Lao Skyway only costs 350,000 Kip ($24). So if you throw numbers out there, then at least do your research right.
I cannot answer your last two questions. But I think just asking if the Lao people are stupid tells more about you than about me. I personally think it's just a matter of travel preferences.
Exactly. Who cares whether it's called CL or LC?
That's the European mentality
@@ChrisFritze $24 from luang prabang to Vientiane??😂😂😂 Where you can got that?😅
@@avil8686 this information is already given in this thread. Those who can read, have a clear advantage, my friend. 😉😆
But just for you, you can purchase a one-way flight ticket from Luang Prabang to Vientiane on the Lao Skyway website from 350,000 Kip. Depending on the exchange rate it's more or less $24. As of today, it's even less than $21. ✌️
Appreciate the English subtitle.
You're welcome! It's nice to hear that it's appreciated!
Thanks for explaining the process. sok dii der ai Chris
You're welcome! I hope it's helpful! ✌️
I live in Thailand. Luckily Thai bank do issue union pay card. I wonder if Visa or Master card charge Railway Station too much commission? The credit card is not widely accepted in the Makro in Thailand either. But in the big C and gas stations is accepted
Can tourists open a bank account in Thailand?
@Chris Fritze it is possible but not practical. you need a document to prove your address by immigration of Thailand which require your condo rental contact and other landlords documentation
@@mabo9636 Ok. Thanks! From my little Thailand experiences you can pay pretty much everywhere with Visa or Mastercard. Is that right? I can't imagine to have such payment issues over there.
@@ChrisFritze did you apply for one pay system?
No I didn't. I'm just curious about the differences.
Hi welcome to Laos 🇱🇦
Khop chai! Welcome to my channel! 🙏
I think LCR will introduce Bank of China as acquiring bank to accept Visa and Mastercard, like what China Railway 12306 has done before. Those two online ticketing systems should be from the same developer: China Academy of Railway Sciences (CARS). But, as you know, China Railway's core task is delivering every person to their destination, not providing 5-Star Airline service, so don't expect too much on the app's user experience🤫. I once heard there are some "practical difficulties" for online ticketing and ticket machines, maybe poor network connection in Laos?
I personally think the network is working fine and the app looks all right to me as well so far. Let's see how things will go and maybe things will be resolved in another year.
You can purchase ticket by an App, if you are a Laotian with a local debit account in a Lao bank Foreign passport holders cannot buy online, even if they have a local bank account..
Online tickets are on the way very soon. Just be patient. Laos is not a modern country yet.
I'm looking forward to that! It would make things so much easier for everyone visiting and traveling in Laos.
@Tenzin Dorin I know. I'm covering this topic in this video as well. 😉
Did you already buy a ticket through the app? If yes, did it work? How did you pay for it?
@@ChrisFritze The "LCR Ticket" APP should buy train tickets with VISA Card soon .
@@zozomo2911 that would be great. Do you've any information about it?
Hey Chris,
gibt es schon etwas Neues zur LCR-App?
Kann man mittlerweile mit der App Tickets buchen, also ich als Tourist?
Registrieren kann ich mich nicht, da ich keine Laos Sim habe.
Überlegung ist, wenn man eine Sim hat Tickets buchen zu können.
Gruß
Stefan
P.S.: Hast lange kein neues Video mehr gepostet ;-)
Hallo Stefan! Ja, man kann mittlerweile Tickets in der App kaufen und auch mit Kreditkarte bezahlen. Ich habe es schon einige Male gemacht und es funktioniert gut. Deine Überlegung ist macht Sinn.
PS: Mein letzter Video-Upload ist erst fünf Tage her. 😉
Du die Fahrt Luang Prabang nach Vang Vieng ist doch spannend und teils landschaftlich atemberaubend. Gerade für Touristen die das nur 1x in ihrem Leben machen ist das sehr zu empfehlen.
Es sagt ja niemand dass es unspannend ist. 😉 Wenn man aber wirklich die atemberaubende Landschaft sehen möchte, dann würde ich erst recht eine Fahrt mit dem Minivan oder am allerbesten mit dem Fahrrad empfehlen. Dann hat man das ultimative Landschaft-Erlebnis. Die Zugstrecke zwischen Luang Prabang und Vang Vieng besteht zur Hälfte aus Tunneln. Da sieht man nicht allzuviel. Und nach 18 Uhr, so wie in diesem Video, ist es schon dunkel und man sieht gar nichts. ✌️
Deshalb braucht man als Tourist diesen Zug nicht.
Soweit würde ich nicht gehen. Ich denke es ist eine Frage von persönlichen Reise-Präferenzen.
Frohes Neues Jahr !🎉🎉🎉
Danke! Ich wünsche dir auch ein frohes und gesundes neues Jahr! ✌️
I want to take this train from kunming to lang prabang
That would be for sure a nice trip. I wouldn't mind to do it the other way around. Do you've any clue when China will reopen the borders for tourists again?
@China-The Center Of The World do you've any information about the reopening of the borders?
@@ChrisFritze Jan 3 2023. china will reopen....
@@jinfeng6220 really? Is that official? If so, can you please share the source with me? Just post it here on this thread. Thank you!
@@ChrisFritze It's from HKSTV. Due to current status, closure of border is absolutely unnecessary. You will find the policy update in no more than 1-2 weeks.
I found the landscape is quite good here from many videos, blue sky and green mountain。
If you come back a couple of of years later, you will see a lot of chances chances, if they are keeping deeper security, more safe you can have, however still better than say sorry, I knew what is you are thinking and wanting
Hello. I would like to confirm if Laos is open for tourism? Any travel requirements? Thank you in advance for your answer
Hi! Yes, Laos is open for tourism. You need of course a valid passport and tourist visa as well as proof that you're fully vaccinated against Covid-19. That's it! ✌️
Thanks for the video.
It had been 2 months since. Anything new to update for train ticket purchases?
Thank you!
You're welcome! I hope it helps! As far as I know it's still the same.
Danke für das informative Video. Hast Du Erfahrungen mit Lao Skayway Airlines? Da ist auch eine normale Onlinebuchung möglich.
Gerne! Nein, ich persönlich habe keine Erfahrung mit Lao Skyway. Soweit ich aber gehört habe, scheint es da kein Problem zu sein online zu buchen.
Kann man sein Fahrrad mitnehmen im Zug?
Ja, kann man. Aber nur, wenn man es in einen Karton oder Fahrrad-Transporttasche verpackt. Also wie im Flugzeug. Mehr Infos zur Bahn findest du auf meiner Website. bit.ly/3xOhR40
google maps says almost 2 hours by car to go from Vientiane to VV. how long was the train ride? the train seemed pretty packed so clearly people see value in the train.
Yes, the people really do. I've done this trip by train and minivan. Both times it took about one hour. As said in the video, there's no traffic on the expressway. So it's a quick drive. Some friends told me recently that they even made it in 45 minutes with their own car.
Eine Reise damit steht auch noch auf meiner Liste. Im Juni war es eine ziemliche Katastrophe ein Ticket zu bekommen. Sieht jedoch alles recht modern aus und ist eine Abfertigung wie am Flughafen.
ຍິນດີຕ້ອນຮັບສູ່ ສປປລາວ
Khop chai! Welcome to my channel! 🙏
Fühlt sich an wie am Flughafen.
Check in , Kontrolle...viel zu umständlich.
Vorteil ist natürlich schneller in Laos unterwegs zu sein.
Chinese tourists are coming soon in packs to Laos starting
from 8 January 2023
中国国内我们都用12306，日访问量最高达2000亿次，高峰时每秒售票量超过1500张，单日最高售票量1541.3万张，年度最高售票量达35.7亿张。所以老挝的订票软件难产并不是运营方LCR的问题。另外一点，兄弟，坐你边上的西方美女出站后一直想和你搭话的，但是呢，你只顾着拍视频，你错过了爱情
Hi! Leider spreche ich kein Chinesisch, daher hoffe ich, dass Google Translate hier einen guten Job macht. 😅
Ich lese laufend Kommentare von Fahrgästen in den sozialen Medien, dass der Ticketkauf per App immernoch nicht funktioniert. Es scheint also doch irgendwelche Probleme zu geben.
Was die Dame im Zug neben mir angeht. Sie war dort mit ihrem Partner und die beiden sind eine Station vor mir ausgestiegen. Dennoch hatte ich ein nettes Gespräch mit den beiden. Ich habe also gar nichts verpasst. Vor allem keine Liebe. 😅
@@ChrisFritze Ich verstehe falsch, tut mir leid. Ich verwende Baidu Translator。
Well since it's 70% financed by China and 30% on Cambodia side, it's obvious the major shareholder is China, so I guess it's named China-Laos rather than Laos-China. More importantly, does it benefit the local businesses and people living around it....if it does, then it serves its purpose other than being a passenger train. The way I see it it's prob still a better form of "colonialism" from the western ones (read France) that didn't bring any major benefits to Laos during its occupation.
What are your thoughts if it doesn't benefit the local businesses and people?
@@ChrisFritze Although Singapore is too small to be used for comparison, I shall use Singapore metro as an analogy. When Singapore govt first mooted the idea of a metro (here known as MRT), there were quite a few naysayers (including myself) who felt Singapore is too small to justify building on land and underground MRTs. Then over a few years of commute, I found that it actually take us from pt A to pt B much faster even though it's a small city-state/country. So first to benefit would be residents who find it useful to do so for the purpose of commute/travel. And because it's easier for people to travel, increased human traffic brings more businesses to small enterprises, restaurants, shops that are next to MRT. Certain places become more accessible and convenient to get to. For these to happen, it can almost happen immediately or after some years (because other facilties around it hasn't been built to attrace the masses it needed). So I feel it should minimally benefit in these few ways to the small businesses and to the residents. If ultimately after some years only benefitting the big corporations, then that means it hasn't trickled down to the masses and opportunities for the general public to prosper with the rail project would have failed, achieving only the aim to carry people from pt A to B, nothing more.
Video good good
Thank you! 🙏
This is by far the most informative video about LCR I have seen. Thanks!
I have few questions... hope it can be answered... So if you ask hotel staff help you to book a ticket. They use their ID to purchase the ticket. And when checking in, the customs will not check if the passenger passport match the ticket?
And how many day exactly can be booked advacnde? If I go to one of the ticket center on Monday, Can I buy ticket for Thursday? Thanks!!!
I'm glad to hear it helps!
Yes, whoever buys the ticket for you needs your passport or at least a picture of it. Your passport number will be on your ticket. It'll be checked. So it has to match. If it doesn't, then you can't even enter the train station.
You can buy a ticket three days in advance (sometimes only two). With the app you're supposed to buy it seven days in advance.
@@ChrisFritze The app does not seem to work. All slot are not available.. Could it be only be use inside Laos?
Some said foreigners can not book ticket in advance. Anyway thanks again I will see if my hotel can help me for a ticket. If not I will do it myself...
@@blueli6351 everyone can buy tickets. There's no difference between locals and foreigners. Tickets are usually sold out fast. I can't say anything about the app. I never bought a ticket through it. If it doesn't work then maybe reach out to LCR and ask for assistance.
@@ChrisFritze Thank for the update. There are too much rumors.. On their LCR offical Facebook, they update the remaining tickets for the next two days everyday. It seem usually has plenty left to sale for the 1 days after, but not sure if it is accurate. I hope it is.
@@blueli6351 you're welcome! Yeah, I also heard many rumors from travelers recently. But if you get your ticket as I describe in this video then you should be fine. Everyone I know living in Laos does it like that. Safe travels! ✌️
More train videos I suppose :D
😆😆😆
jan.8th 2023 china will reopen to the outside! no quarantine anymore!
Wow!!! What kind channel is this a CIA bot channel?
Lol...what's that supposed to mean? Or is this some sort of weird bot comment? 😆
@@ChrisFritze yeah...so weird channel💩
@@animoknow6389 what exactly is weird about it? I'd appreciate your feedback.
WTF you are talking? He has nice channel and you are be rude here.
@@ChrisFritze I agree with Animo ... Maybe a CIA stooge. Debt traps??? Please check US debt to GDP ratio, it's far higher than Laos. And why western country do not want to help Laos investing in infrastructure??? Only China want to help. If it's so profitable how the hell US Europe do not invest???😅😅😅
Why cannot buy ticket from phone? I dont think it is hard to achieve, come on Laos. Do something, people dont wanna a ticket for 8 hours.
Look for a giant increase in Chinese tourism, trade, commerce, investments and development around where train stations are (hotels, restaurants, retail). Laos economy will start rising which is good for all involved
Let's see. This year Laos actually experienced a massive trade deficit even though the train is operating.
@@ChrisFritze yes Southeast Asia had a large Covid lockdown the past couple years so that’s been a big factor in the economies of Southeast Asia.
But I’m sure it will be different in the future with trade, commerce and people
@@jvs333 the whole world was in lockdown in the past couple of years. That's not just a Southeast Asia phenomenon. I think a big factor for the country will be paying back the debt to China. Not only from this project. Also from many others around the country. It's hard believe that Laos can do it with continuous trade deficits. It's rather concerning. Thus it seems like it's more external parties will benefit from it but unfortunately not really Laos. However, of course I'm hoping for the best for the Laos economy.
@@ChrisFritze well I disagree on that, but I respect your thought out observation. I believe in most cases infrastructure contributes to growth and economic opportunities. Now those things will depend on how they are managed. I remember back in the 60s driving up I-5 in California. There’d be nothing but agri-fields with off ramps to gas-station minimarts, and that be it. Now those same off-ramps are busy areas with entire communities and businesses.
I think the same will hold true with these BRI developments. Especially with them being of transport and logistical developments. With time I think the enormous scale of the BRI infrastructure network will open up markets and opportunities for all those involved. For Laos a landlocked country it now has access to the entire BRI rail network both for people and trade/commerce. Keep in mind this Laos rail has only been recently opened give it 3yrs for investments, businesses and enterprises to join in.
The US/western propaganda narrative about China being a debt trap is a falsehood. The debt traps are based on loaning out the “money” which then is either syphoned off by corrupt officials or wasted on poorly managed projects that are all skimmed off of leading to either unfinished or shotty results.
China’s approach is manage the entire project to secure its project proper completion. Train the people who will be operating it, create an operating system to guarantee a successful project. Therefor providing a foundation for success to be able to pay the debt. All the BRI projects China has completed are all benefiting the recipients of those projects.
The US has invested, funded, orchestrated a well oiled propaganda “anti-China” campaign to denigrate China in an effort to stop its progress and becoming a global economic power. There’s a reason why all but two of the African nations invited to the Biden con show at the WH turned the US down and chose to stay with China.
They know the real debt trap is the US/EU/IMF.
PS: Laos past continuous trade deficits were largely due to being landlocked. This BRI rail system solves that problem
@@jvs333 I understand where you're coming from. But I think the big difference between the development in California in the 60s to the development in Laos right now is that it was funded by its own government. Here in Laos it's an external loan giver. So there was no external pressure to California. It also has nothing to do with western propaganda. It's just the official numbers given out by the Laotian government itself. It was also the Laotian government that announced recently that it's trying to postpone paying back their debts to creditors.
I agree with you that it can give opportunities if the people play it right. However, from what's observable here so far it's mainly foreign businesses profiting from it but not local ones.
But hey, I'm not here to judge. These are only my personal observations. I'm always saying, that every country has the right to go it's own way and every government has the obligation to do the best for its people. If this is the Laos way, then go for it.
lcr ticket app
What about it?
Western jealousy.... Bla Bla Bla...
You got me! That was the whole point of creating this video. 😄
@@ChrisFritze western people always see the negative side of China investment. They have brainwashed by western media. Normal people can see the benefits of investing in infrastructure but not western people.
if you have so many train ticket problem, just go for bus, easy solution. 🤣
That's for sure an alternative. However, depending on the bus/bus company there's also no guarantee that you'll get a bus ticket. 😉
@@ChrisFritze 🤣give them time to develop, China was like that 30years ago
@@lovefromhuang they can take all the time they want. I know how to get around here. Many people don't. That's why I'm sharing these information.
@@ChrisFritze I think you just wanna prove that China infrastructure investment is bad... Laos deficit per GDP is far lower than US BTW. To improve economy one country need to have a good infrastructure, but maybe western people don't want Eastern countries improve the economy so they can always have their hegemony.