ANALYSIS OF PASSENGER TRANSPORTATION DEMAND: CASE STUDY OF THE CUSTOMS HOUSE, THE THAI-LAOS FRIENDSHIP BRIDGE, NONG KHAI PROVINCE.

This study analyses the factors influencing passenger transportation demand at the Thai-Laos Friendship Bridge in Nong Khai Province, Thailand. The passenger transportation demand model estimation was undertaken via a unit root test prior to the (OLS) technique. It was found that the passenger number has a long-term, positive equilibrium relationship with the price. Gross domestic product (GDP) and the frequency of services provided, have a negative relationship with the exchange rate. The empirical results based on the error correction mechanism (ECM) estimation revealed that the adjustment speed affects the number of passengers' deviates from the equilibrium point to the long-term equilibrium by 46.3 percent. According to the findings, it can be confirmed that passenger income and the frequency of services are important factors determining the number of passengers. Moreover, an improvement of service quality and increasing efficiency by entrepreneurs will lead to tourism and investment promotion between both countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]