Trial Run Begins, Bringing Beijing-Bangkok Train Trip Closer to Reality

[snoop1130]

 

Thailand is planning to trial a rail service between its capital Bangkok and Laos' Vientiane on July 13 and 14, a move that brings train travel between Bangkok and Beijing closer to becoming a reality. This development was announced by the State Railway of Thailand (SRT). Ekarat Sriarayanphong, an official from SRT, said the new link will enhance transportation between Thailand, Laos, and China.

 

Upon commencement, this connection will make it possible to travel by train from Thailand's Bangkok through Laos' Vientiane to China's Beijing with a semi-high-speed service available in the southern Chinese city of Kunming. The journey is approximately 2,000 miles (3,218 kilometers) long and, due to the mountainous terrain, is expected to take almost a day. By comparison, a non-stop flight takes just under five hours.

 

A high-speed train route is already in operation between China and Laos. This has proven to be beneficial for the transportation of Thai goods, reducing delivery times from two days by road transport to 15 hours by rail, according to a report by Nikkei.

 

Improving connectivity with China, its chief trade ally, is a strategic move for Thailand to stimulate its economy. Thailand's exports to China almost hit the $32 billion mark within the first 11 months of last year, with key exports being fruits and rubber products. During the same period, Thailand's imports from China reached a value of $65.3 billion, primarily in electric equipment and machinery.

 

In addition to trade, both countries are also focused on fostering tourism links. Chinese tourists are allowed a 60-day stay in Thailand, while Thai tourists can stay for 30 days in China. Plans are underway for a high-speed-rail system to connect Thailand to China through Laos by 2028, a development expected to further bolster the tourism sector.

 

File photo for reference only

 

-- 2024-06-13

 

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[RichardColeman]

Anyone know the difference between the  amount of vehicles and bike hitting trains in Laos as compared to Thailand  ? Does Laos  have less suicidal drivers ? 

[hotchilli]

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Improving connectivity with China, its chief trade ally, is a strategic move for Thailand to stimulate its economy. Thailand's exports to China almost hit the $32 billion mark within the first 11 months of last year, with key exports being fruits and rubber products. During the same period, Thailand's imports from China reached a value of $65.3 billion, primarily in electric equipment and machinery.

Thailand needs China for cheap products, and China wants Thailand as a regional hub.

No surprises, Thailand is not going to snub China to suit the west.

[cncltd1973]

will there be passengers from China who can't afford a plane ticket? who funded the railway to Beijing? hopefully not Thailand as the trade numbers favor China.

[Burma Bill]

21 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

train travel between Bangkok and Beijing closer to becoming a reality

  Oh really! For an HST standard gauge electric through service, maybe 20 to 30 years time!

Edited June 14 by Burma Bill
additional information

[ross163103]

4 hours ago, cncltd1973 said:

will there be passengers from China who can't afford a plane ticket?

I was just thinking the same thing, even cheaper chinese coming! 

[NoDisplayName]

8 hours ago, RichardColeman said:

Anyone know the difference between the  amount of vehicles and bike hitting trains in Laos as compared to Thailand  ? Does Laos  have less suicidal drivers ? 

 

HSR tracks are either elevated or fenced.  There are no vehicle rail crossings.

 

[RichardColeman]

On 6/14/2024 at 3:17 PM, NoDisplayName said:

HSR tracks are either elevated or fenced.  There are no vehicle rail crossings.

Sorry, but you are not allowing for Thai ingenuity in having a car accident !

[realfunster]

On 6/13/2024 at 3:08 PM, snoop1130 said:

Improving connectivity with China, its chief trade ally, is a strategic move for Thailand to stimulate its economy. 

That sounds promising, what’s a chief trade ally and how does it stimulate the Thai economy ?

 

On 6/13/2024 at 3:08 PM, snoop1130 said:

Thailand's exports to China almost hit the $32 billion mark…. During the same period, Thailand's imports from China reached a value of $65.3 billion, primarily in electric equipment and machinery.

Oh, I see now. It’s a trading partner where you run a deficit of $33.3bn.

You probably wouldn’t want too many of these “key ally’s” then. 
 

 

Edited June 16 by realfunster
Typo