The Thai government is predicted to finish the long-delayed high-speed rail link connecting Thailand, China and Laos in 2028.
The first phase of the 434 billion baht project is predicted to be accomplished by 2026, in line with the Thai government.
Only 12% of the primary phase has been accomplished, with Thailand aiming to conduct a test by 2026 and an official inauguration by 2027, in line with Director General Pichet Kunadhamraks of the Department of Rail Transport.
A bridge shall be built over the Mekong River from Bangkok to Nong Khai, a province on the country’s border with Laos, which is able to connect the China-Laos high-speed rail line with the track network in Thailand.
Thailand’s capital, Bangkok, shall be connected to Nakhon Ratchasima in Isan province by a 253-kilometer highway that can cost 180 billion baht.
Phase two will extend northeast to the border with Laos, covering 356 kilometers and costing 254 billion baht.
When Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-Ocha met Wang Yi on Tuesday, Thailand renewed its support for the project, which was first offered in 2014 under China’s Belt and Road initiative.
Despite the Covid pandemic and contractual disputes, every little thing “looks good”, in line with the director general of the Department of East Asian Affairs on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand.
“There have been a few hiccups in this process, but we are moving forward.” To strengthen regional connections, the Thai government has emphasized the necessity for this project.”
Last December, Laos invested almost $6 billion to open a railway to China.
