Suriya: Thai-Chinese high-speed railway on track to open in 2030
according to Transport Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit, following development meetings with Chinese authorities on Wednesday. Officials had earlier
Suriya: Thai-Chinese high-speed railway on track to open in 2030
The Thai-Chinese high-speed train from Bangkok to Nong Khai is set to open to the public in 2030, according to Transport Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit, following development meetings with Chinese authorities on Wednesday. Officials had earlier stated that the entire line would open as soon as 2028. However, the megaproject, which is expected to cost 341 billion baht, has been delayed due to finance issues between the two countries.
Suriya met with Wu Hao, head of China’s National Development and Reform Commission, in Beijing during the 31st joint committee meeting since the megaproject commenced in 2020.
Suriya met with Wu Hao, head of China’s National Development and Reform Commission, in Beijing during the 31st joint committee meeting since the megaproject commenced in 2020.
The talks came after China called on the two nations to speed up construction of the 873-kilometre rail link in January, following years of delays.
The high-speed railway will link China and Thailand via Laos as part of China’s global Belt and Road Initiative.
Suriya said the committee acknowledged the progress of construction under Thailand’s responsibility in Phase 1, covering the line from Bangkok to Nakhon Ratchasima where two out of 14 contracts are now complete. The first phase is expected to open in 2028.
Phase 2 from Nakhon Ratchasima to Nong Khai has passed an environmental impact assessment with construction scheduled to begin next year, he said.
This section will link with the Laos-China railway and open in 2030, marking the completion of the project, he said.
The talks came after China called on the two nations to speed up construction of the 873-kilometre rail link in January, following years of delays.
The high-speed railway will link China and Thailand via Laos as part of China’s global Belt and Road Initiative.
Suriya said the committee acknowledged the progress of construction under Thailand’s responsibility in Phase 1, covering the line from Bangkok to Nakhon Ratchasima where two out of 14 contracts are now complete. The first phase is expected to open in 2028.
Phase 2 from Nakhon Ratchasima to Nong Khai has passed an environmental impact assessment with construction scheduled to begin next year, he said.
This section will link with the Laos-China railway and open in 2030, marking the completion of the project, he said.
Suriya added that a new Mekong high-speed rail bridge to link Nong Khai and the Laos capital of Vientiane will be constructed using the State Railway of Thailand’s 2024 fiscal budget.
During the meeting, Thailand also proposed the Transport Ministry’s Rail Technology Research and Development Agency as a central agency to facilitate technology and innovation transfer among the three countries.
The 32nd meeting of the project’s joint committee will be held in Thailand, with the date yet to be announced.
What's Your Reaction?
