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


webfact

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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.

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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. 

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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.

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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.

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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.

 

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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.    

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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!

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