Thailand-China High-Speed Railway Hits Fast Track: Phase 1 Operational by 2027

• 22 September 2023
• Construction Focus
• 2407 Views

The dream of a high-speed rail connection between Thailand and China is rapidly becoming a reality. The State Railway of Thailand has unveiled ambitious plans to have the first phase of the Thailand-China high-speed rail line, spanning from Bangkok to Nakhon Rachasima, operational by the year 2027. This monumental project, which will encompass a 253-kilometer stretch, is already 24% complete and carries an estimated cost of $5.1 billion.

Upon completion, this groundbreaking railway will traverse a remarkable 608 kilometers, linking Bangkok in the southwest to Nong Khai on the northeastern border of Laos. Beyond Nong Khai, the vision extends to a further 355 kilometers, venturing into Vientiane, where it will seamlessly connect with the Laos-China line leading to Kunming.

The final phase, stretching from Nong Khai to Vientiane, comes with a price tag of $8.5 billion but remains in the preliminary planning stages. This colossal undertaking is set to transform regional connectivity and boost economic prospects for all nations involved.

The Thai-China high-speed railway is a testament to international collaboration, being constructed by the China Railway Construction Corp. It will feature Chinese rolling stock, incorporating CRRC’s Fuxing Hao CR300 high-speed trains, capable of achieving remarkable speeds of up to 250 kilometers per hour.

This ambitious project promises to redefine travel and trade, fostering deeper economic and cultural ties between Thailand, Laos, and China.

• Road and Infrastructure