Thailand advances in the construction of high -speed railroad with China

The government of Thailand approved this week the second phase of a high-speed rail project that connects the country to China, following the successful model of the railroad between China and Laos.

The new stage of the line, with 357 km long, will connect Nakhon Ratchasima to Nong Khai, on the Laos border. The decision was made on Tuesday, a day before the official visit of Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra to Beijing, who will last four days.

This new railway line is an extension of the stretch that is already being built between Bangkok and Nakhon Ratchasima.

The completion of the project will allow rapid trips from the Thai capital to Kunming, the capital of Yunnan Province, in southwest China, passing through Laos.

The new corridor will facilitate the transport of passengers and cargo between Thailand and China, expanding economic and commercial connections between the two countries.

John Gong, professor of economics at the International Business and Economics University in Beijing, said the success of the railroad between China and Laos was an important factor for the approval of the project by Thailand.

According to him, the improvement in the commercial and economic connections provided by the Kunming-Vientiane line, launched in 2021, stimulated Thai support to the second phase of the project.

The railroad, which has already moved millions of passengers and tons of cargo, brought significant benefits to the Laos economy, especially in the areas of export and tourism.

The China-Laos railway project, part of the belt and route initiative, has been one of China’s main achievements in its strategy for expanding infrastructure and connectivity.

By the end of 2024, the project had already registered more than 43 million passenger trips and more than 48.3 million tons of load.

Infrastructure has driven the growth of economic sectors in the countries involved, creating a model of collaboration that is now expanding to Thailand.

High -speed line construction also occurs at an important time for bilateral relations between Thailand and China. This year, the two countries celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic relations. China has been Thailand’s largest commercial partner for over a decade and remains the largest source of foreign tourists for the Thai country.

Paetongtarn’s visit to Beijing aims to further strengthen commercial and diplomatic ties, as well as addressing security issues, including the fight against transf by.

Thai media reported that, before his departure to China, the Prime Minister reaffirmed Thailand’s commitment to combat transnational crimes, such as the recent kidnapping of a Chinese actor, an incident that generated concerns about the security of Chinese tourists in the country .

Thailand’s reaction to these crimes aims to reassure tourists and maintain stable trade relations between the two countries.

The construction of the new railway line is part of Thailand’s continuous effort to modernize its transport infrastructure and integrate more deep into China’s connectivity initiatives.

The advancement of the works is expected to accelerate the economic integration of the region and facilitate trade between Southeast Asia and Southwest China, offering new opportunities for companies on both sides of the border.

In addition to commercial benefits, the high -speed railroad also has the potential to positively impact tourism and regional development. The line is expected to contribute to an increase in the flow of tourists, especially from China, which has shown increasing interest in Thailand’s tourist offers.

The ease of access between the two nations can further boost cultural and economic exchanges, consolidating Thailand as a strategic point on Southeast Asian connectivity map.

With the approval of the second phase of the project, Thailand remains firm in its intention to expand its relations with China and other countries in the region, taking advantage of the opportunities offered by the new infrastructure to promote economic development and increase their participation in international trade.

The success of the initiative, however, will depend on the effective implementation of works and continuous support from both the Thai government and Chinese investors.

The advance of the railroad also reflects a broader movement in the region, where several nations are aligning the initiative of the belt and route to modernize their infrastructure and expand their economies. Thailand, by investing in its rail connection with China, strengthens its role as a transport and trade hub in Southeast Asia, ready to benefit from global economic changes.

With information from SCMP