Thailand seeks connection with Laos-China Railway, say top officials

[webfact]

 

VIENTIANE, Oct 29: The Thai government has said it is seeking a way to link Thailand’s Thai-Chinese high-speed railway line with the Laos-China Railway, reports Laotian Times.

 

A senior Thai official said recently that his government must find a way to link its railway with Thailand with the Laos-China railway as soon as possible, according to Chinese state media in Laos.

 

Despite the fact that progress on the China-Thailand high-speed railway project has slowed, it is possible that an economic analysis plan will take precedence in the construction of the project to link Thailand’s Nong Khai Province with Vientiane Capital, Laos, through the Laos-China railway.

 

Full story: https://www.thestar.com.my/aseanplus/aseanplus-news/2021/10/29/thailand-seeks-connection-with-laos-china-railway-say-top-officials

 

-- © Copyright The Star 2021-10-30

 

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[PREM-R]

"The Thai government has said it is seeking a way to link Thailand’s Thai-Chinese high-speed railway line with the Laos-China Railway,"

 

Back in 2019 a memorandum of cooperation (MOC) was signed by Laos, Thailand and China to build a railway bridge beside the Friendship Bridge at Nong Khai. Why is the Thai government now "seeking a way to link" when they have already signed a MOC on the project?

 

https://www.greatermekong.org/railway-bridge-connect-thai-province-vientiane

 

Edited October 30, 2021 by PREM-R

[ThailandRyan]

12 minutes ago, PREM-R said:

"The Thai government has said it is seeking a way to link Thailand’s Thai-Chinese high-speed railway line with the Laos-China Railway,"

 

Back in 2019 a memorandum of cooperation (MOC) was signed by Laos, Thailand and China to build a railway bridge beside the Friendship Bridge at Nong Khai. Why is the Thai government now "seeking a way to link" when they have already signed a MOC on the project?

 

https://www.greatermekong.org/railway-bridge-connect-thai-province-vientiane

 

I remember that as well. This makes no sense if it was already inked.

[mfd101]

Inked but not linked.

 

Words & appearances come before action & reality.

[RafPinto]

Oh dear, the "shrimps connection" is coming soon.

[steven100]

what size track gauge does Laos use ?   track guage in Thailand is 1 meter.

if it's the same then just have a connection station at Nong Khai or Vientiane. 

 

[RafPinto]

1 minute ago, steven100 said:

what size track gauge does Laos use ?   track guage in Thailand is 1 meter.

if it's the same then just have a connection station at Nong Khai or Vientiane. 

 

High speed train from mainland china to BKK chinatown.

[canopus1969]

17 minutes ago, steven100 said:

what size track gauge does Laos use ?  

 

 

Standard - as with most of the 'sensible' world

[ThailandRyan]

Narrow gage RR

[Srikcir]

4 hours ago, PREM-R said:

"The Thai government has said it is seeking a way to link Thailand’s Thai-Chinese high-speed railway line with the Laos-China Railway,"

 

Back in 2019 a memorandum of cooperation (MOC) was signed by Laos, Thailand and China to build a railway bridge beside the Friendship Bridge at Nong Khai. Why is the Thai government now "seeking a way to link" when they have already signed a MOC on the project?

 

https://www.greatermekong.org/railway-bridge-connect-thai-province-vientiane

 

A MOC doesn't build anything. Given the current world economy as it relates to China, maybe solidifying this link now isn't the right time. When there seems to be no logical answer for why nations do or don't do something, it's politics.

[Isaan sailor]

Belt & Road for China’s benefit.  Do not fall into China’s debt trap, Thailand.

[hotchilli]

5 hours ago, PREM-R said:

"The Thai government has said it is seeking a way to link Thailand’s Thai-Chinese high-speed railway line with the Laos-China Railway,"

 

Back in 2019 a memorandum of cooperation (MOC) was signed by Laos, Thailand and China to build a railway bridge beside the Friendship Bridge at Nong Khai. Why is the Thai government now "seeking a way to link" when they have already signed a MOC on the project?

 

https://www.greatermekong.org/railway-bridge-connect-thai-province-vientiane

 

Thailand wants someone to fund it and build it... you know how it works.

[recom273]

4 hours ago, steven100 said:

what size track gauge does Laos use ?   track guage in Thailand is 1 meter.

if it's the same then just have a connection station at Nong Khai or Vientiane. 

 

Whatever gauge the Chinese tell them its going to be.

[hotchilli]

12 minutes ago, Isaan sailor said:

Belt & Road for China’s benefit.  Do not fall into China’s debt trap, Thailand.

Too late... 

[RJRS1301]

21 minutes ago, Isaan sailor said:

Belt & Road for China’s benefit.  Do not fall into China’s debt trap, Thailand.

Too late

[Purdey]

Vital to be able to bring in the troops if needed, I guess. 

[mtls2005]

Take a flight BKK/DMK-VTE.

 

 

[Pedrogaz]

Who would want to be connected to SRT? Missed trains, no shows though maybe Laos could teach Thailand how to run a railway. 

Thailand's railways should be a high priority.....there are way too many overloaded trucks on the road...that could be transported on a few thousand miles of track, even using the stinky engines they have.

[Albert Zweistein]

15 hours ago, PREM-R said:

"The Thai government has said it is seeking a way to link Thailand’s Thai-Chinese high-speed railway line with the Laos-China Railway,"

 

Back in 2019 a memorandum of cooperation (MOC) was signed by Laos, Thailand and China to build a railway bridge beside the Friendship Bridge at Nong Khai. Why is the Thai government now "seeking a way to link" when they have already signed a MOC on the project?

 

https://www.greatermekong.org/railway-bridge-connect-thai-province-vientiane

 

They forgot.

[RichardColeman]

 

Wait till they have train links to India

 

Edited October 30, 2021 by RichardColeman

[Sydebolle]

Thailand has been dragging its feet again all those years since 2016, when the Chinese started with building a complete railway system across Northern Laos into its capital Vientiane. 

400+ kms of sleepers, rail track and the works, 100+ kms of tunnels and an similar number of bridges - all built in less than five years. The Chinese said, the railway will open on 2 December (Lao National Day) and trust me, the trial runs of test trains went equally smooth according to plan.

All the while the militia in Bangkok was poking noses, scratching god-only-knows-what and were fiddling around with the Chinese. The latter, patient as ever, kept watching what is going on. 

I personally believe, that Beijing will turn up the heat dramatically anytime soon. What not too many people know is, that substantial electricity used in Thailand comes from hydropower plants in Laos, built and operated by the Chinese along i.e. the Ou or Mekong river. As the Laotians cannot pay for the dams, the revenue goes to China for as long as the debts are not paid for. In short, the power switch of Thailand is in Beijing. If the semi-divines in Bangkok dont follow (Chinese) suit, then there might be some power issues which will wake up the entire nation. And it remains to be seen now, if a) this happens and if b) yes, how will the gifted government in Bangkok react. But, as issues in this part of the world are analogue and not digital, I assume that Beijing will summon the watch collector or the big wig with dyed hair "for consultations" and pass on a "friendly recommendation". 

No doubt China is calling the shots for the next two, three decades and they proved over and over again, that they can get the job done - unlike their Thai brethren in the government house! 

[mikebell]

On 10/30/2021 at 9:59 AM, ThailandRyan said:

I remember that as well. This makes no sense if it was already inked.

This Gov forgets from day to day what they decreed yesterday.