Cambodia and Thailand are both reviewing draft agreements for a deal on the transportation of goods and people across their shared border, a Cambodian official said, adding that the final agreement is likely to be signed before the end of the year. The railway systems of both countries have already been unofficially connected, but to begin transporting goods and people across the border, the countries must first reach an agreement on cross-border rail transportation.

 

Ly Borin, under-secretary of state of the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, told Khmer Times that officials from both countries have already submitted draft agreements on cross-border rail transportation to their respective ministries.

 

“The Thais are now awaiting the approval on the draft agreement. Once this happens, our prime ministers can go ahead and sign the final agreement, which I think will happen before the end of 2018,” Mr Borin said. The western rail line, which covers 386 kilometres, is part of a wider railway project that will connect Singapore with Kunming in Southern China, according to Sun Chanthol, the Cambodian Transport Minister.

 

read more https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50528019/edging-closer-to-a-cross-border-rail-deal/

 

 

-- © Copyright Khmer Times 30/08

This could be good, Run a night sleeping car train in both directions between Bangkok and Phnom Penh, I imagine that it will be at least a 12  hour journey

In fact they could run steam specials with a Japanese loco to the Cambodia border and a French one through to Phnom Penh. Plenty of trainspotters would come over for that, They would either have to install a turntable or turning triangle for joint use,at Poipet or Aranya prathet, as running tender locos tender first  on return trips really would be a no no