This frame grab from Lao National TV video footage taken on October 16, 2021 via AFPTV shows the Lane Xang bullet train at the Vientiane Railway Station in Vientiane. – A new 6 billion USD Chinese-built railway line opens in Laos on December 3, bringing hopes of an economic boost to the reclusive nation, but experts are questioning the benefits of a project that has seen thousands of farmers evicted from their land. (Photo by various sources / AFP)

 

By Kavi Chongkittavorn

 

The Lao PDR has come a long way, from a land-locked nation to a land-linked hub. Since last December, with a high-speed train linking Southern China to Vientiane up and running, the potential of its future economic development has become unfathomable.

 

With rail networks connecting to Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia planned, the Lao PDR will have direct “sea-link” access to key regional port facilities, broadening the country’s trade and investment opportunities.

 

Overall, the strengthening of the 70-year-old Thai-Lao relations will also promote national and regional resilience and improve the wellbeing of 60 million people living in lower riparian countries in the Mekong sub-region, not to mention the 656 million population of the ASEAN Community.

 

Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/new-thai-lao-strategic-impetus-rail-connectivity/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-06-06

 

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When the CCP offers 'projects' such as this, you can bet your bottom Yuan that it is not really for the benefit of the host country.

Large debt, high maintenance and undelivered benefits.

Do this at your peril. Ask the farmers.

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Overall, the strengthening of the 70-year-old Thai-Lao relations will also promote national and regional resilience and improve the wellbeing

Overall, the strengthening of the 70-year-old Thai-Lao relations will also promote national and regional resilience and improve the wellbeing of millions of Chinese as they flood into, and take over, SE Asia.

 

Beware trains bearing gifts.

Edited June 6, 20224 yr by Will B Good

3 hours ago, webfact said:

A new 6 billion USD Chinese-built railway line opens in Laos on December 3, bringing hopes of an economic boost to the reclusive nation, but experts are questioning the benefits of a project that has seen thousands of farmers evicted from their land.

Benefits as Laos will soon learn will all go to China.

3 hours ago, Tropicalevo said:

When the CCP offers 'projects' such as this, you can bet your bottom Yuan that it is not really for the benefit of the host country.

Large debt, high maintenance and undelivered benefits.

Do this at your peril. Ask the farmers.

We could surely use another couple of dams upriver.

 

I would advise a look at Sri Lanka as a case in point when the corrupt Muppets took out all those loans to finance infrastructure, notably a port which is hardly used, to see what can happen.

You can't trust the Chinese government, it's all about them not the other country.

47 minutes ago, Andycoops said:

 

You can't trust the Chinese government, it's all about them not the other country.

Which could easily be said [and applies] to all historical and present imperial powers. 

China is a babe in the woods compared to the others. 

Yet, the reality of things doesn't factor in by way of the blind......and their special cultures.

 

Now Lao has a massive loan over their head and China has reason to move in as with Cambodia.