Thailand Drives Forward with Singapore-Kunming Rail Link Initiative

[snoop1130]

File photo for reference only

 

The Department of Rail Transport (DRT) is fast-tracking the Singapore-Kunming Rail Link, a pivotal project positioned to transform Thailand into a major logistics hub within ASEAN. This initiative aligns with the Thai government's strategy to enhance connectivity and streamline regional trade routes.

 

DRT director-general Pichet Kunadhamraks recently led a Thai delegation to Chongqing, China—a key city in China’s Belt and Road Initiative—to deepen their knowledge of advanced logistics systems. Chongqing's strategic role in international transport provides valuable insights for the delegation, which met with representatives from the New Land-Sea Corridor Operation (NLS). This organization, part of the China-Singapore (Chongqing) Demonstration Initiative, plays a vital role in managing trade routes and transport logistics.

 

During the visit, the delegation examined the Chongqing New Land-Sea Corridor, a multimodal network combining rail, sea, and road links that unites western China with Southeast Asia. This corridor significantly reduces both the time and cost associated with transporting goods, making it a model for international logistics.

 

The itinerary also included visits to Tuanjiecun Railway Station and a container yard, central nodes for the China-Europe Railway routes. The Thai officials observed sophisticated cross-border cargo systems and cutting-edge logistics technologies at these sites. Their tour concluded with an in-depth look at the Chongqing Inland International Logistics Hub Exhibition Center, where they gathered insights to enhance Thailand's rail infrastructure.

 

 

 

Mr. Pichet highlighted the transformative impact of the Laos-China railway, launched in 2021, on freight transport efficiencies between Thailand and China. The railway has notably attracted goods traditionally transported by other means, such as fruit and plastics. Freight volume data underscores this shift: transport between Thailand and the Lao PDR surged from 2,288 tonnes in 2021 to 46,287 tonnes in 2023, soaring further to 63,676 tonnes in 2024—a 37.56% increase from the previous year.

 

The expedited rail shipments now allow goods to reach Chongqing from Thailand in just four days, compared to over two weeks by sea. This efficiency is especially beneficial for perishable and high-value goods. The China-Europe rail network, particularly the Chengdu-Chongqing section, connected 110 cities across Asia and Europe in 2023 and carried over 430,000 TEUs of cargo.

 

As Thailand continues to improve its rail systems with insights from global logistics hubs, the nation is poised to strengthen its role as a key logistics leader in the region, powering economic growth and fostering greater connectivity across ASEAN, reported Bangkok Post.

 

-- 2025-04-17

 

 

[KireB]

This feels like an AI made article.

[NoDisplayName]

5 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

DRT director-general Pichet Kunadhamraks recently led a Thai delegation to Chongqing, China—a key city in China’s Belt and Road Initiative—to deepen their knowledge of advanced logistics systems.

 

C'mon, it's just a freakin' railroad.  Fast, but still just a railroad.

 

How complicated could it................ooooooooooooohhhhhhhh.

[connda]

I'm sure it will be complete my 2080.

[newbee2022]

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

File photo for reference only

 

The Department of Rail Transport (DRT) is fast-tracking the Singapore-Kunming Rail Link, a pivotal project positioned to transform Thailand into a major logistics hub within ASEAN. This initiative aligns with the Thai government's strategy to enhance connectivity and streamline regional trade routes.

 

DRT director-general Pichet Kunadhamraks recently led a Thai delegation to Chongqing, China—a key city in China’s Belt and Road Initiative—to deepen their knowledge of advanced logistics systems. Chongqing's strategic role in international transport provides valuable insights for the delegation, which met with representatives from the New Land-Sea Corridor Operation (NLS). This organization, part of the China-Singapore (Chongqing) Demonstration Initiative, plays a vital role in managing trade routes and transport logistics.

 

During the visit, the delegation examined the Chongqing New Land-Sea Corridor, a multimodal network combining rail, sea, and road links that unites western China with Southeast Asia. This corridor significantly reduces both the time and cost associated with transporting goods, making it a model for international logistics.

 

The itinerary also included visits to Tuanjiecun Railway Station and a container yard, central nodes for the China-Europe Railway routes. The Thai officials observed sophisticated cross-border cargo systems and cutting-edge logistics technologies at these sites. Their tour concluded with an in-depth look at the Chongqing Inland International Logistics Hub Exhibition Center, where they gathered insights to enhance Thailand's rail infrastructure.

 

 

 

Mr. Pichet highlighted the transformative impact of the Laos-China railway, launched in 2021, on freight transport efficiencies between Thailand and China. The railway has notably attracted goods traditionally transported by other means, such as fruit and plastics. Freight volume data underscores this shift: transport between Thailand and the Lao PDR surged from 2,288 tonnes in 2021 to 46,287 tonnes in 2023, soaring further to 63,676 tonnes in 2024—a 37.56% increase from the previous year.

 

The expedited rail shipments now allow goods to reach Chongqing from Thailand in just four days, compared to over two weeks by sea. This efficiency is especially beneficial for perishable and high-value goods. The China-Europe rail network, particularly the Chengdu-Chongqing section, connected 110 cities across Asia and Europe in 2023 and carried over 430,000 TEUs of cargo.

 

As Thailand continues to improve its rail systems with insights from global logistics hubs, the nation is poised to strengthen its role as a key logistics leader in the region, powering economic growth and fostering greater connectivity across ASEAN, reported Bangkok Post.

 

-- 2025-04-17

 

 

And when I can enter this train? And who will pay? Where the money will come from? 

[watchcat]

10 hours ago, KireB said:

This feels like an AI made article.

 

Aren't they all nowadays ?

[sandyf]

28 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

And when I can enter this train? And who will pay? Where the money will come from? 

The picture is false. The Laos section has been operational for a couple of years and quite superb.

Thailand has been dragging it's feet particularly with the Mekong crossing at Nong Khai.

 

The railway ends at Vientiane South cargo station. The Boten–Vientiane railway is an integral section of the central line on the Kunming–Singapore railway,^[10] and was constructed as part of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).^[11][12]

^{https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boten–Vientiane_railway}

[Caldera]

16 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Freight volume data underscores this shift: transport between Thailand and the Lao PDR surged from 2,288 tonnes in 2021 to 46,287 tonnes in 2023, soaring further to 63,676 tonnes in 2024—a 37.56% increase from the previous year.

 

And pre-Covid? Everything looks great when compared with times of closed borders.

[sandyf]

36 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

And when I can enter this train? And who will pay? Where the money will come from? 

The first section out of Bangkok to Korat should be operational in a couple  of years. The platforms are ready at Bang Sue station but closed off the moment.

The second section to Nong Khai has only recently been approved with a start expected in 2031.

The third section Nong Khai to Vientiane is yet to be approved.

The project, Kunming to Singapore, was originally due completion by 2040 but estimates now are around 15 - 20 years late. Thailand probably the main holdup. 

 

[NoDisplayName]

6 minutes ago, sandyf said:

The first section out of Bangkok to Korat should be operational in a couple  of years. The platforms are ready at Bang Sue station but closed off the moment.

The second section to Nong Khai has only recently been approved with a start expected in 2031.

The third section Nong Khai to Vientiane is yet to be approved.

The project, Kunming to Singapore, was originally due completion by 2040 but estimates now are around 15 - 20 years late. Thailand probably the main holdup. 

 

 

I'd have to look up exact numbers, but the KM-VT took about 5 years to build through some very rough terrain.  Hundreds of kilometers of bridges and tunnels.  The project was completed under budget - I believe the VT-Boten section was about $5 Billion - and on schedule.

 

The Thailand portion of KM-SG is a total farce.  The bloated budget, the endless delays, tell me this won't be operational for decades, actually more like half a century.  Bangkok to Korat is subdivided into 12 or 13 segments, and they might maybe perhaps get one in operation by 2030-ish?  Just the short bit from VT to Korat will take longer than the entire KM-VT line, and cost at least double.   

 

 

 

 

[newbee2022]

27 minutes ago, sandyf said:

The first section out of Bangkok to Korat should be operational in a couple  of years. The platforms are ready at Bang Sue station but closed off the moment.

The second section to Nong Khai has only recently been approved with a start expected in 2031.

The third section Nong Khai to Vientiane is yet to be approved.

The project, Kunming to Singapore, was originally due completion by 2040 but estimates now are around 15 - 20 years late. Thailand probably the main holdup. 

 

Thanks. Will not work for me anymore 🤗. I'm gone by then

[sandyf]

12 minutes ago, NoDisplayName said:

Just the short bit from VT to Korat will take longer than the entire KM-VT line, and cost at least double.   

You have combined two sections, one has been approved and should be complete in about 20 years.

The real problem is the section crossing the river. As far as I am aware there  is not even a proposal on the table and the longer it goes on the more difficult that becomes and consequently more expensive.

The 3 airports has stalled as land aquisition was no longer available and a tunnel required,a cost increase that could be fatal to the project.

A great deal will depend on whether the Chinese make an intervention or not.

[sandyf]

13 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

Thanks. Will not work for me anymore 🤗. I'm gone by then

Quite. I would like to see the platforms at Bang Sue go into use but they are quite a distance from the MRT and may be a walk too far.

[NoDisplayName]

3 minutes ago, sandyf said:

You have combined two sections, one has been approved and should be complete in about 20 years.

The real problem is the section crossing the river. As far as I am aware there  is not even a proposal on the table and the longer it goes on the more difficult that becomes and consequently more expensive.

The 3 airports has stalled as land aquisition was no longer available and a tunnel required,a cost increase that could be fatal to the project.

A great deal will depend on whether the Chinese make an intervention or not.

 

Meanwhile, Hainan Island, which already has their high-speed rail running underneath the Haikou airport to an underground station, has a draft plan to build a tunnel from the island to the mainland, about 25 KM, water depth 120m. 

[khunjeff]

Stop with the study tours and just build the damned thing - this has been dragging on for years and years now, with little to show for it.

[NoDisplayName]

1 minute ago, khunjeff said:

Stop with the study tours and just build the damned thing - this has been dragging on for years and years now, with little to show for it.

 

Which brings up...........why a study tour now?

The design has been approved, construction is (sort of) already underway.

Isn't it a bit late to start thinking about how to implement it?

[Burma Bill]

Many light years away before completion of HST.

SRT's priority at the moment is the completion of double track projects on the current narrow gauge system.

 

reference Google:

 

Thailand is upgrading its railway system through a combination of infrastructure projects and technology enhancements. This includes doubling existing tracks, modernizing stations, upgrading signalling and telecommunication systems, and investing in new trains and rolling stock. The modernization efforts aim to improve safety, increase capacity, and reduce travel times, particularly on key railway lines. 

[madone]

12 hours ago, KireB said:

This feels like an AI made article.

You mean as opposed to all the other "human-written" news from the Thaiger?

[Patong2021]

2 hours ago, newbee2022 said:

And when I can enter this train? And who will pay? Where the money will come from? 

 

The train shown in the article is the Suvarnabhumi Airport Rail Link and it  operates daily from 06:00 to 24:00hrs.

You pay  at one of the ticket machines.

The money comes from your  pocket.

[mfd101]

1 hour ago, khunjeff said:

Stop with the study tours and just build the damned thing - this has been dragging on for years and years now, with little to show for it.

It's never too late for more study tours and more envelopes.

 

The only way to get it done in the lifetime of most of us here on AN is to hand the whole project to the Chinese & just tell them to get on with it without let or hindrance.

[newbee2022]

59 minutes ago, Patong2021 said:

 

The train shown in the article is the Suvarnabhumi Airport Rail Link and it  operates daily from 06:00 to 24:00hrs.

You pay  at one of the ticket machines.

The money comes from your  pocket.

I know someone will have an enlightening comment. Thank you 😂

[Guderian]

19 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The expedited rail shipments now allow goods to reach Chongqing from Thailand in just four days, compared to over two weeks by sea.

 

Oh good. So now the 50-Baht widgets  I order from China via Lazada should arrive in under a week, instead of it often taking several weeks. I knew there was a good reason to spend tens of billions on this rail link... lol

[PETERTHEEATER]

16 hours ago, KireB said:

This feels like an AI made article.

Someone gave AI the 'hub' word. We haven't had one for a while.

[sandyf]

5 hours ago, khunjeff said:

Stop with the study tours and just build the damned thing - this has been dragging on for years and years now, with little to show for it.

Not really surprising.

The Thais did not want the Chinese to have full control and they cannot afford to do it alone. Delays mean prices go up and questions get asked. Of course they could take a leaf out of the UK manual and cancel part of it.

I would think it better to be built slowly than not at all. After all, we all benefit from projects started a long time ago. It was 200 years ago this year the first passengers went on a public railway.

[SOTIRIOS]

...The Final & Most Critical Determination: How The Funds Will Be Divvied Up...

[Ricardo]

4 hours ago, PETERTHEEATER said:

Someone gave AI the 'hub' word. We haven't had one for a while.

 

Thailand is aiming to become a Hub of AI-writing in S.E.Asia, sometime this century.  Hubba-Hubba !  

[Xonax]

Why not build a railroad from China to Ranong and put the Kra Isthmus canal project in the grave? It seems to be up to China to decide, since they will most

Likely have to finance the project.

[Alexjkr]

12 hours ago, sandyf said:

The second section to Nong Khai has only recently been approved with a start expected in 2031.

 

 

I read that as construction starting in 2031. Six years from approval to construction start?

[NoDisplayName]

31 minutes ago, Alexjkr said:

I read that as construction starting in 2031. Six years from approval to construction start?

 

It takes time for the right people to buy up the properties along the proposed route to later sell to the rail corporation at inflated prices.

[Alexjkr]

8 minutes ago, NoDisplayName said:

 

It takes time for the right people to buy up the properties along the proposed route to later sell to the rail corporation at inflated prices.

Think how long it is going to take to do the 1000km from Bangkok to the Malaysian border.