Thailand's high-speed rail link to China, part of a broader Belt and Road initiative, is set to begin in 2030, enhancing regional connectivity and logistics.
Thailand's ambitious high-speed rail project, which will connect the country to China via Laos, is expected to begin operations in 2030, according to the Thai government. This marks a nearly decade-long delay from the original timeline.
The 609-km (378 miles) segment of the rail line connecting Bangkok to Nakhon Ratchasima, located approximately 220 km away, is already more than a third complete. The full line extending to Nong Khai, at the border with Laos, is anticipated to be ready by 2030, government spokesperson Jirayu Houngsub confirmed on Wednesday.
This new rail link is part of China’s larger Belt and Road initiative, aimed at enhancing trade and infrastructure connectivity across Asia. The $6 billion, 1,000 km rail line between Laos and China, which began operations in 2021, is a key component of this strategy. The Laotian section, 70% owned by Beijing, connects Vientiane, the capital of Laos, with Kunming, a major city in southwestern China. From there, it will link up with Thailand’s rail line in Nong Khai, located just 25 km from the Laotian capital.
"This project presents Thailand with a significant opportunity to better integrate into the global economy," Jirayu Houngsub stated, adding that it would help the country achieve its goal of becoming a regional logistics hub.
The announcement comes a year after China urged Thailand to accelerate its efforts on the rail link, which has faced various delays. Talks about the rail project began nearly two decades ago, with agreements signed between Thailand and China in 2017. Initial plans called for the line to start operations in 2021, but construction has been hampered by financing disputes, design disagreements, and disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Thailand’s rail link is a crucial part of China's broader Belt and Road trade initiative, which includes plans for multiple routes that will connect China with countries across Southeast Asia. These plans are seen as a key component of Beijing’s efforts to enhance regional trade and transportation infrastructure.
In addition to Thailand's rail project, Vietnam is also pursuing major rail developments, including a $67 billion high-speed line linking Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, set to begin operations in 2035. Vietnam is also working on a $7.2 billion railway that will connect its border with China to key cities such as Hanoi, Haiphong, and Ha Long City.
As the high-speed rail projects move forward, the region is poised to see transformative changes in infrastructure, trade, and connectivity, reinforcing Southeast Asia’s growing role in global logistics and economic development.
The U.S. and Saudi Arabia struck Iran-backed groups in Iraq, saying they were responsible for drone attacks on Saudi oil facilities, as Washington sai...
Ukraine's new defence minister Yevhenii Khmara has said Ukraine cannot match Russia 'punch for punch' while outlining new strategies as Ukraine contin...
At least 13 people have been killed after a powerful magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck near the southern Japanese city of Kumamoto, Prime Minister Sanae...
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday that there is a good chance” of reaching a deal with Iran, but warned that Washington would resume military operation if negotiations fail.
The Russia-Ukraine war is increasingly reshaping the Caspian region. From threats to energy infrastructure to renewed diplomatic efforts, countries across the region are adapting to the wider consequences of a conflict that continues to disrupt trade, transport and security.
Yemen warned the Houthis were seeking to replicate Iran's Strait of Hormuz strategy in the Red Sea, as U.S. President Donald Trump said there was a "good chance" of a deal with Tehran but warned strikes could resume if talks failed.
Moscow should stop linking Russia-Armenia relations to Azerbaijan, Baku's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Aykhan Hajizada has said, after Russia again raised the Collective Security Treaty Organisation's role during the former Garabagh conflict.
The 27 July edition of Daybreak covers a pause in fighting between the U.S. and Iran, the latest developments in Russia's war against Ukraine, and mass evacuations as wildfires continue to spread across France and Spain.
Ukraine's new defence minister Yevhenii Khmara has said Ukraine cannot match Russia 'punch for punch' while outlining new strategies as Ukraine continues to target Russia's war machine.
At least 13 people have been killed after a powerful magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck near the southern Japanese city of Kumamoto, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said on Wednesday.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on Tuesday (28 July). While the White House described the talks as positive, Trump acknowledged ahead of the meeting that the two leaders had "a little difference" over Iran.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he held a productive meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on Tuesday, with talks focusing on air defence cooperation and efforts to advance diplomatic negotiations.
The diplomatic dispute over France's overseas territories is widening, with pro-independence leaders in the Caribbean and the Pacific rejecting claims by French lawmakers that Azerbaijan is interfering in France's internal affairs.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment