China's High-Speed Rail Connecting Thailand and Laos Set to be Completed in 2028

Author: Dian Kencana
December 18, 2023

Thai-China high-speed rail will be completed in 2028. Photo: State Railway of Thailand

SEAToday.com, Nong Khai-Thailand Deputy Transport Minister, Surapong Piyachote stated that the Nong Khai-Vientiane section of the Thai-China high-speed rail project is expected to be completed in 2028.

The project has an estimated cost of around 3 billion baht or approximately 86 million US dollars, the section will undergo a feasibility study commissioned by the State Railway of Thailand.

Thailand is advancing its goal of integrating the rail system with the Bangkok-Nong Khai high-speed train project, aiming to bolster regional connectivity and trade prospects with China via the Laos-China railway.

In particular, Thailand's fruit exports, especially durian, experienced significant growth in 2023. The Nong Khai Crossing witnessed huge growth in fresh durian exports at more than 2 billion baht or around 57 million US dollars, reflecting a jump of 364 percent from 2022.

However, according to the official timeline, the project should have progressed to about 50%, but delays caused by land expropriation problems have slowed the construction.

Concerns regarding the project’s impact on world heritage sites have prompted a wait for the assessment results required by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization.

Upon completion, these segments are expected to enhance cargo and passenger movements between Thailand and China.