On Tuesday, the cabinet officially approved the second phase of the Thai-Chinese high-speed rail project, stretching from Nakhon Ratchasima to Nong Khai, with an investment of approximately 340 billion baht.
This segment will connect with the Bangkok-Nakhon Ratchasima route currently under construction, facilitating rapid transit from Bangkok to Yunnan, China, via Laos, where a high-speed rail is already operational.
Last month’s report indicated that construction progress on the first phase was approximately 36% complete, significantly lagging behind the original schedule.
The project has faced delays due to financial disagreements with China, contractor liquidity issues, the impact of the pandemic, and controversy over the construction at the Ayutthaya station, which has raised concerns about potential impacts on a nearby UNESCO World Heritage site.
Last week, Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit announced plans to issue bids for the 357-kilometer-long second phase within the year, aiming for completion by 2030.
The green light for phase two was given just a day before Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s inaugural official visit to China.
A government spokesperson, Jirayu Huangsab, mentioned that the Prime Minister would advocate for enhanced economic, trade, and investment collaboration during her visit.
Ms. Paetongtarn is keen on fostering long-term investment partnerships, particularly in sectors crucial for Thailand’s green and digital transformation, including electric vehicle production, semiconductor manufacturing, and data centers, Mr. Jirayu added.
The Prime Minister has also urged the cabinet to prioritize the standards, quality, and safety of products, focusing on agricultural and food items.
This directive follows China’s recent refusal to accept shipments of Thai durian and sugar syrup. While the durian dispute has been resolved, syrup exports continue to face blockages worth hundreds of millions of baht.
Furthermore, Ms. Paetongtarn emphasized the government’s commitment to enhancing tourist safety measures, explicitly aiming to prevent transnational criminal activities, such as call center scams, from using Thailand as a hub, the spokesperson noted.
