With current plans fast-tracked to build a bridge to attach Thailand to the Chinese-La0 cargo practice route, extra rail tasks are being centered on. But the plan to create high-speed rail service that travels 873 kilometres from Bangkok into China is now slated to start operations three years later than initially deliberate.
The first leg of the high-speed rail, which is able to connect Bangkok to the town of Nakhon Ratchasima, is now scheduled to begin working train service in 2026. That stretch of about 200 kilometres is the first part of the project, with one other 330 kilometres of railway being built in section 2 to connect Nakhon Ratchasima to the Laos border at Nong Khai on the northern fringe of Thailand.
According to a government Deputy Spokesperson, that second phase is expected to start operations in 2028 and is presently present process an environmental assessment before building can start. This would complete the 5.2 billion baht deal that the governments of Thailand and China struck again in 2017. Strange has faced many delays as a end result of technical assistance, financing points, and debate over the design.
When the rail is accomplished, will most likely be yet one more notch within the Belt and Road initiative that China has launched to try to join their country to all regions of Asia by land and sea. The objective is to hyperlink south Asia, Central Asia, and Southeast Asia, with overland transportation that may hook up with maritime routes that would further broaden expedited commerce to Europe and the Middle East.
After the railway was completed final month from China to Laos, whereas Thailand lags at connecting on the Laotian border to the Thai rail system, that route saw a growth in trade. In December of 2020, four.6 billion baht was traded alongside that route, while final month these totals ramped up to a total of 6.9 billion baht..