13-6-2024 (BANGKOK) In a move set to bolster economic and tourism ties with its largest trading partner, Thailand is inching closer to establishing a rail network that will connect the Southeast Asian nation with China. A trial service between Bangkok and Vientiane, the capital of Laos, is slated for the 13th and 14th of July, heralding the imminent launch of a ambitious trans-continental rail link, the State Railway of Thailand has announced.
Once operational, the new rail connection promises to revolutionise transport between Thailand, Laos and China, facilitating the seamless movement of goods and people across borders. “The Thailand-Laos link will pave the way for rail travel from Bangkok all the way to Beijing, with stops in Vientiane and Kunming,” remarked Ekarat Sriarayanphong, a senior official at the railway agency.
The journey, spanning a staggering 3,218 kilometres and navigating through the region’s formidable mountain ranges, will take almost an entire day to complete. While considerably longer than a direct flight, which clocks in at just under five hours, the rail route offers a viable alternative for travellers seeking a more leisurely and eco-friendly mode of transport.
Thailand’s efforts to augment its rail infrastructure are driven by a desire to deepen its economic partnership with China, currently its largest trading partner. In the first eleven months of the previous year, Thai exports to China amounted to a substantial US$32 billion (S$43 billion), with agricultural products like fruit and rubber taking the lead. Conversely, imports from China, primarily consisting of electrical equipment and machinery, reached a sizeable US$65.3 billion during the same period.
The burgeoning trade relationship is complemented by flourishing tourism ties, with citizens of both nations enjoying extended visa-free stays in each other’s countries. Chinese visitors can remain in Thailand for up to 60 days, while Thai tourists can explore China for a month without the need for a visa.
Beyond the immediate rail link, an ambitious high-speed rail project, albeit marred by delays, is slated for completion by 2028. This state-of-the-art system will further cement Thailand’s connectivity with China, traversing the length of Laos and ushering in a new era of rapid transcontinental travel.
