Feature: China-Thailand Railway signals connectivity, opportunity, prosperity

[webfact]

Students of the Banphai Industrial and Community Education College practice train simulation driving in Khon Kaen province, Thailand, Nov. 17, 2021. (Xinhua/Lin Hao)

 

Source: Xinhua

Editor: huaxia

 

BANGKOK (Xinhua) -- "When the China-Thailand railway starts operation, it will enable Thai people to travel more conveniently and boost Thailand's economic growth," said Trin Phuanglamchiak.

 

As the deputy chief engineer of a section of the railway in Ayutthaya Province, 80 km north of Bangkok, Phuanglamchiak noted there are "advanced railway technologies that China brings to Thailand."

 

The China-Thailand railway, an important part of the trans-Asian railway network, will be Thailand's first standard-gauge railway.

 

When completed, the line will carry trains from Bangkok to the border town of Nong Kai, where a new bridge will connect it with the China-Laos railway, making it possible to travel by train from Bangkok, through Laos, to Kunming in southwest China's Yunnan Province.

 

Full story: http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/20220214/2ad50ef23de24498a108b9b7b4493b56/c.html

 

-- © Copyright Xinhua 2022-02-15

 

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[RandiRona]

Hahaha...so it all started, Xinhua(CCP mouth piece) propoganda started appearing. I guess next is China global, SCMP or CNS.

Time to brush up your mandarin lads!!

Edited February 15, 2022 by RandiRona

[JoePai]

Waste of time for those kids - they will be retired by the time the railway is finished

[MisterTee]

2 hours ago, JoePai said:

Waste of time for those kids - they will be retired by the time the railway is finished

Nonsense.

China is pushing this, not the dysfunctional US or the sclerotic EU.

[peterrabbit]

First reports from Northern Thailand, is that cheap Chinese produce has flooded the local markets undercutting the local producers, while exports have been throttled with non tariff barriers being used called "covid restrictions". 

Lets face facts, China isn't building all these road and rail links for Thailand's or the region's benefit but for China's benefit, while making their neighbours pay for it.

China - win win

Everyone else - loose loose

????

[hotchilli]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

"When the China-Thailand railway starts operation, it will enable Thai people to travel more conveniently and boost Thailand's economic growth," said Trin Phuanglamchiak

I wonder if they've really thought this through, Chinese goods flooding the Thai markets on a scale as yet not witnessed.

[hotchilli]

5 hours ago, RandiRona said:

Time to brush up your mandarin lads!!

I'm fluent Satsuma...????

[spidermike007]

Any way to transport cargo here, without the use of the highways, is a good thing. 

 

Having said that, it is important to be aware that trade with China is usually a one way street. Much goes out and little comes in. Chinese tariffs and import restrictions are borderline heinous. So is the CCP. 

[humqdpf]

4 hours ago, MisterTee said:

Nonsense.

China is pushing this, not the dysfunctional US or the sclerotic EU.

The only reason why the USA does not have a magnificent railway is because of the lobbying by the oil, automobile and possibly to a smaller extent the long distance bus company interests.

 

In the EU, trains are a matter for individual countries. What you find now is that the old night sleepers are being revived. You also have new long distance services/tracks being introduced in countries like Spain. The Spanish are rather bullish in train services, having announced a competitor for the Eurostar (train that uses the Channel rail between the UK and mainland Europe).

 

Sure China is pushing their Belt and Road projects but even a-back-of-the-envelope calculation would show that there will be no profit in it for at least 50 years, based on income from passenger tickets and freight. Not sure the "dysfunctional" USA citizens and citizens of "sclerotic" EU states would appreciate either their taxes being used to pay for such uneconomic projects or their tax base being used to shore them up. Unfortunately for the Chinese "citizens," they don't get a say in such matters.

[Burma Bill]

8 hours ago, RandiRona said:

Time to brush up your mandarin lads!!

This is the only mandarin I need to know:-

 

[scorecard]

He says he'd like to take his family on a train trip to Kunming and then to Beijing to see the great wall of China.

 

I certainly hope he can achieve this and especially to see the great wall of China.

 

I was lucky enough to do a tour with just 4 or 5 other foreigners and Chinese from Beijing to a part of the wall which is still in excellent condition, never been touched/repaired, not needed. 

 

I was just awed at the height of the walking surface, the quality of the surface, and the great width of the walking area.

 

For me an event of a lifetime. 

[scorecard]

5 hours ago, MisterTee said:

Nonsense.

China is pushing this, not the dysfunctional US or the sclerotic EU.

Further, the lack of maintenance of infrastructure, and lack of modern up to date development of infrastructure in the US is a national disgrace.

[StayinThailand2much]

5 hours ago, MisterTee said:

Nonsense.

China is pushing this, not the dysfunctional US or the sclerotic EU.

If China is in control: could happen quickly. If Thailand is in charge: let's get back to this topic in 2037...

[MisterTee]

1 hour ago, StayinThailand2much said:

If China is in control: could happen quickly. If Thailand is in charge: let's get back to this topic in 2037...

I don't think anybody would lose money in betting that China is very much in charge of this initiative.

The next few years will reveal to what extent they are driving it.

[Autonuaq]

You also can call it China's express way thru Asean. Paid by the countries that is want to expand into China is provided for free with express high ways. to rule,  

[sscc]

19 hours ago, humqdpf said:

The only reason why the USA does not have a magnificent railway is because of the lobbying by the oil, automobile and possibly to a smaller extent the long distance bus company interests.

 

In the EU, trains are a matter for individual countries. What you find now is that the old night sleepers are being revived. You also have new long distance services/tracks being introduced in countries like Spain. The Spanish are rather bullish in train services, having announced a competitor for the Eurostar (train that uses the Channel rail between the UK and mainland Europe).

 

Sure China is pushing their Belt and Road projects but even a-back-of-the-envelope calculation would show that there will be no profit in it for at least 50 years, based on income from passenger tickets and freight. Not sure the "dysfunctional" USA citizens and citizens of "sclerotic" EU states would appreciate either their taxes being used to pay for such uneconomic projects or their tax base being used to shore them up. Unfortunately for the Chinese "citizens," they don't get a say in such matters.

 

[sscc]

19 hours ago, humqdpf said:

The only reason why the USA does not have a magnificent railway is because of the lobbying by the oil, automobile and possibly to a smaller extent the long distance bus company interests.

 

In the EU, trains are a matter for individual countries. What you find now is that the old night sleepers are being revived. You also have new long distance services/tracks being introduced in countries like Spain. The Spanish are rather bullish in train services, having announced a competitor for the Eurostar (train that uses the Channel rail between the UK and mainland Europe).

 

Sure China is pushing their Belt and Road projects but even a-back-of-the-envelope calculation would show that there will be no profit in it for at least 50 years, based on income from passenger tickets and freight. Not sure the "dysfunctional" USA citizens and citizens of "sclerotic" EU states would appreciate either their taxes being used to pay for such uneconomic projects or their tax base being used to shore them up. Unfortunately for the Chinese "citizens," they don't get a say in such matters.

 

USA had spent heavily and done impressive infrastructure projects such as San Francisco Golden Gates Bridge and New York Empire State in FDR 1930's era to New York World Trade Centre in 1970. 

Then the process had been slow down and dragged and stopped to a grind for whatever reason from 1970's to now.  

 

USA can do whatever,  but the rest marches it,  particular PRC had been all broke and miserable 45 years ago ( mid-1970's )  and PRC infrastructure build-up are progressing to  whatever they  are now.  Good that ASEAN is moving forward in as well.    

[MrJ2U]

In

On 2/15/2022 at 9:55 AM, webfact said:

train from Bangkok, through Laos, to Kunming in southwest China's Yunnan Province.

Border crossings are a nightmare in regards to Thailand.

 

The Friendship bridges built to travel to Laos are virtually deserted (pre-Covid) because all the red tape and paperwork.

 

I can't see a seamless border crossing with hundreds of passengers and goods.  Most people will find it easier and cheaper just to fly.  Thailand continues its bungling beurocratic ways in regards to border crossings.

 

It would be exciting to be able to do such a train trip though!