Thailand expects its 609-km (378-mile) section of a high-speed rail link connecting it to China via Laos to start operating in 2030, the government announced on Wednesday, almost a decade later than initially planned.
Over a third of the construction has been completed on the stretch linking Bangkok to Nakhon Ratchasima, located about 220 km away, with the entire line to Nong Khai, near the Laos border, set to be finished by 2030, according to Thai government spokesperson Jirayu Houngsub.
A $6 billion, 1,000 km rail line from Vientiane, the Laotian capital, to Kunming, China, commenced service in 2021, with Beijing holding a 70% stake. This line will connect to Thailand’s Nong Khai via Vientiane, approximately 25 km away.
“This is an opportunity for Thailand to connect to the global economy,” said Jirayu, highlighting that the rail link will help Thailand achieve its goal of becoming a logistics hub.
This announcement follows China’s urging of Thailand to expedite the project’s progress last year.
Discussions for the rail link began almost two decades ago, with agreements signed between Thailand and China in 2017, initially aiming for a 2021 launch. However, delays occurred due to disagreements over financing, design, and disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The rail project is a key part of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s Belt and Road initiative, which includes plans for three routes starting from Kunming through Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Vietnam is also planning a 1,541 km (958-mile) high-speed rail line between its two largest cities, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, costing over $67 billion, set to start in 2035. It is also planning a $7.2 billion railway from its border with China’s Yunnan province to Hanoi, Haiphong, and Ha Long City.
