On February 4 local time, the Thai Cabinet approved the second phase of the high-speed railway project proposed by the Ministry of Transport. The project, spanning approximately 357 kilometers, consists of two parts. The first part involves constructing a railway line with five stations to connect with the first phase (linking Bangkok to Nakhon Ratchasima), while the second part entails building a cargo transfer center in Nong Khai to provide one-stop services for cross-border rail freight.
The Cabinet recalled that the first phase of the high-speed railway—approximately 253 kilometers long connecting Bangkok to Nakhon Ratchasima—was approved in July 2017 and is currently 35.74% complete, with operations expected to commence in 2028. With the approval of the second phase, the Ministry of Transport and the State Railway of Thailand will continue to advance the project in accordance with relevant laws, regulations, and Cabinet resolutions.
As a joint Belt and Road Initiative project between China and Thailand, the China–Thailand high-speed railway is Thailand’s first high-speed rail line. The first phase connects Bangkok with the northeastern city of Nakhon Ratchasima, and the second phase will extend the line to Nong Khai on the northeastern border, integrating with the China–Laos Railway and offering direct access to Kunming. Once completed, the railway is expected to drive new momentum for Thailand’s socio-economic development and regional connectivity.