BANGKOK: Thailand’s long-awaited high-speed rail link to China, passing through Laos, is now expected to commence operations in 2030—almost ten years later than initially planned, the Thai government confirmed on Wednesday (Jan 29).
The 609-km (378-mile) Thai section of the railway, which connects the capital Bangkok to Nong Khai at the Laos border, has made significant progress, with over a third of construction completed on the first phase linking Bangkok to Nakhon Ratchasima, about 220 km away.
The project is a key part of China’s ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and will integrate with the existing $6 billion, 1,000-km rail line that has been operational since 2021, connecting the Laotian capital, Vientiane, to Kunming in China’s Yunnan province. Once completed, Thailand’s Nong Khai station will be just 25 km from Vientiane, creating a seamless transport corridor between Thailand, Laos, and China.
“This is an opportunity for Thailand to connect with the global economy,” said Thai government spokesperson Jirayu Houngsub, emphasizing that the rail link will bring the country closer to its goal of becoming a regional logistics hub.
Years of Delays and Challenges
The project has faced multiple delays since discussions first began nearly two decades ago. Although Thailand and China signed agreements for construction in 2017, the railway was initially scheduled for completion by 2021. However, disagreements over financing and design, coupled with disruptions from the Covid-19 pandemic, significantly slowed progress.
The latest timeline comes a year after China urged Thailand to accelerate construction to align with its broader regional infrastructure plans.
Vietnam Also Moving Ahead with High-Speed Rail
Meanwhile, Vietnam is pushing forward with its own $67 billion, 1,541-km high-speed rail project, linking Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, with operations set to begin in 2035. Additionally, a $7.2 billion railway is planned to connect China’s Yunnan province with Hanoi, Haiphong, and Ha Long City, further strengthening cross-border connectivity in the region.
With these developments, Southeast Asia is gearing up for a new era of high-speed rail, promising faster trade, tourism, and economic integration.— Reuters
