Bangkok-Cambodia buses launched
The first buses directly connecting Thailand and Cambodia left Bangkok on Thursday, headed for Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, with the launch of a regular service to bolster tourism and economic ties between the two countries.
The first airconditioned bus from Bangkok to Phnom Penh left Mor Chit terminal, followed by the first bus to Siem Reap, the Transport Co announced.
The state company made a test-run on the two routes on Dec 29, 2012, but the service was not launched because "Cambodia was not ready for it", Transport Co managing director Wutthichart Kalayanamitr said in a statement.
The two countries are now running a daily service between the two destinations.
The bus to Phnom Penh leaves the Thai capital at 8.15am and the return trip is at 7am. The fare is 900 baht, or US$30. The 719 kilometre trip takes 11 hours.
The Siem Reap line departs Bangkok at 9am and the return service leaves the Cambodian town at 8am. Siem Reap is the home of two major tourist attractions, Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom. The fare is 750 baht, or US$25, for the 424km trip, which takes seven hours.
The two routes enter Cambodia through Aranyaprathet district in Sa Kaeo.
Transport Co also runs a service to Vientiane, the Lao capital, and Pak Se in southern Laos.
~News courtesy of Bangkok Post~
