Bangkok: The Thai Cabinet has approved the second phase of the Thailand-China high-speed train project, valued at 341.35 billion THB (10.04 billion USD).
According to Lao News Agency, the line will connect with the Bangkok-Nakhon Ratchasima first phase, which is currently under construction. This connection will enable high-speed travel from the Thai capital to China’s Yunnan province via Laos, where a high-speed line is already operational.
As of last month, construction of the first-phase section was approximately 36% complete, lagging several years behind its original schedule. Thai Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit announced last week that the ministry plans to invite bids for the 357-kilometre second phase this year, with an anticipated completion by 2030.
The approval of this second phase precedes Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s first official visit to China, aimed at fostering cooperation on economic, trade, and investment fronts. Government spokesman Jirayu Huangsab stated that the Prime Minister aims to expedite the promotion of long-term investment partnerships, particularly in areas crucial for Thailand’s green and digital transformation, such as electric vehicles, semiconductor production, and data centres.