BANGKOK, Thailand – The Cabinet has approved the second phase of the Thailand-China High-Speed Rail Project, which will extend from Nakhon Ratchasima to Nong Khai. The project has a budget of 341.35 billion baht (9.8 billion US dollars) and is scheduled for completion over eight years, from 2025 to 2032. It will serve as a crucial link between Bangkok and Nong Khai, connecting to the Laos-China Railway and strengthening regional transport infrastructure.
The project will include five stations in Bua Yai, Ban Phai, Khon Kaen, Udon Thani, and Nong Khai, covering a distance of 357 kilometers. A cargo transfer hub will also be developed in Nong Khai to streamline logistics between Thailand and China. The facility will support Thailand’s narrow-gauge railway and the standard-gauge system used by the Laos-China Railway, ensuring smooth cargo transfers.
The Ministry of Transport has been tasked with securing funding through the national budget or government-backed loans, while the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) will oversee implementation. Authorities have also directed agencies to expedite land approvals, expand electricity infrastructure, and explore private sector investment under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.
Although Phase 2 has been approved, the Cabinet has urged the Ministry of Transport and SRT to speed up work on Phase 1, which links Bangkok to Nakhon Ratchasima. Currently, construction on the first phase is behind schedule, with completion expected in 2028. The government has also called for updates on feasibility studies and management models to ensure economic sustainability. (NNT)
