Thailand Advances High-Speed Rail Project Linking Bangkok to China

high-speed
Thai-Chinese High-Speed Rail Project (Bangkok-Nong Khai), Phase 1: Bangkok-Korat

BANGKOK  — Thailand’s high-speed rail project connecting Bangkok to China through Laos has achieved significant progress, with the first phase now over one-third complete, government spokesman Jirayu Huangsap announced Wednesday.

Speaking after a Cabinet meeting, Huangsap revealed that construction of the Bangkok-Nakhon Ratchasima section has reached 35.75% completion. Two sections of the route – Klang Dong-Pang Asok and Si Khio-Kut Chik – have been fully constructed, while ten additional contracts are currently under construction and two are in procurement.

The second phase of the project, extending from Nakhon Ratchasima to Nong Khai at the Laos border, is scheduled for completion by 2030. The design phase has concluded, and environmental impact assessments are currently under review by the National Environmental Board.

train

Advertisement

Mr. Jirayu also outlined five key plans for the Nong Khai-Vientiane rail connection:

  • Double-Track Railway Project (Khon Kaen-Nong Khai Section):
    Currently in the bidding phase, this section is expected to open by 2027.
  • Improvement of the Friendship Bridge:
    The bridge is being upgraded to support freight transport with an axle load of 20 tons/axle. The Department of Highways is studying the bridge’s load-bearing capacity, and the Budget Bureau has approved central budget reserves for emergency expenses to fund the study and construction of additional reinforcements.
  • Construction of a New Thai-Lao Mekong River Bridge:
    Both countries have agreed to jointly invest in the construction of a new bridge, with each party covering costs within their respective territories. The project is currently in the detailed design and EIA preparation phase.
  • Development of Freight Transport Zones:
    The remaining areas from the customs clearance zones are being considered for allocation, with rental prices to be determined according to regulations. The committee is also reviewing the proposal to submit it to the State Enterprise Policy Office for further action under the Public-Private Partnership Act of 2019.
  • Cross-Border Travel Connection (Tha Na Lang-Vientiane Section):
    This section has been completed and is now operational.
Advertisement

The development is part of a broader cooperation between Thailand and China, with progress monitored through the Thai-Chinese Joint Committee on Railway Cooperation. Recent developments include the establishment of a Rail System Research and Development Institute and plans for new freight transport zones near the Laos border.

“This project represents a strategic opportunity to position Thailand as a regional logistics hub,” Huangsap said, noting that the rail network will connect Thai businesses to markets encompassing over 8 billion people globally.

___________