Thai Cabinet Approves Second Phase of Thai-Chinese High-Speed Rail Project

Thai-Chinese High-Speed

Bangkok, The Gulf Observer: The Thai cabinet on Tuesday formally approved the second phase of the Thai-Chinese high-speed rail project, extending from Nakhon Ratchasima to Nong Khai, with an estimated investment of approximately 340 billion baht.

This expansion will connect with the first phase of the project, which links Bangkok to Nakhon Ratchasima and is currently under construction. Once completed, the high-speed rail line will facilitate rapid travel from the Thai capital to Yunnan, China, via Laos, where a high-speed rail system is already in operation.

Despite initial plans for swift progress, the construction of the first phase remains significantly delayed, with completion currently at only 36% as of last month, several years behind schedule. The approval of the second phase, however, reaffirms Thailand’s commitment to advancing regional connectivity and strengthening economic ties with China and Laos.