Bangkok to China by railway before the end of the decade
There are several developments in the ultimate plan to link Bangkok to China by railway before the end of the decade.
The China – Laos railway is due to open on the Laotian National Day December 2nd in 12 weeks.
The 420 kilometer route comprises 31 stations beginning in Kunming in China’s Yunnan province.
It proceeds via the so called Golden City of Boten in northern Laos to Vientiane the Laos capital city just across the border from Nong Khai in the far north east of Thailand.
Yesterday the Department of Rail Transport’s Kittiphan Panjan met with others to instruct the Thai state railways to procure rolling stock to meet the trains in Vientiane to facilitate cross border trade using the current bridge between Nong Khai and the Laos capital.
Plans are being made to construct a second bridge 30 meters from the first that will have both one meter and 1.435 meter gauge.
Ultimately this will form part of the connection between Bangkok and China.
The high speed connection between the Thai capital and Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat) – a 253 kms stretch – is currently being constructed and is set to be open in 2026.
The continuing section of high speed rail from Korat to Nong Khai comprising a 356 kms stretch is due to be completed by 2028 and will connect to the Laos-China railway, reported Manager.
From December cross border trade is expected to increase with goods coming from China to Thailand though in later years it is expected that passengers will be able to travel between the three countries.
Source: AseanNow
