China-Thailand Railway – a Silk Road Legacy

by Andrew J Wood

 

 

BANGKOK: Thailand’s cabinet this week approved a draft contract for the  construction and design of the first phase of the country’s high-speed railway project with China.

 

The 252 km high-speed railway will link the Thai capital of Bangkok and the northeastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima and is scheduled to be operational by 2021.

 

The Thai cabinet and National Legislative Assembly, have approved the first phase of the new railway, once all phases are completed, it is set to catapult Thailand’s trade and tourism with its neighbours.

 

The project will be a legacy project. Laying the foundations along the new Silk Road for a comprehensive modern rail network that will help meet the demands of domestic and international cross border traffic. From a domestic or regional perspective, the project is set to substantially benefit Thailand in the long run.

 

Poor railways in Thailand have proved insufficient in supporting economic growth in the country’s remote and less developed areas.

 

The Chinese Embassy in Bangkok announced that construction work is slated to begin as soon as October, once China and Thailand sign two contracts next month that cover design and supervision expenses.

 

The two contracts will be signed during Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s visit to China on 4-5 September, 2017.

 

China will provide expertise and supervision, while Thailand will provide equipment and materials. At the request of Thailand, China will also use a number of Thai engineers and architects to help transfer expertise in maintaining, operating and managing high-speed railways.

 

•The first phase will link the Thai capital, Bangkok, with the northeastern city of Nakhom Ratchasima, which is set to start operation in four years time. The construction of the 252 km stretch of the 250 kph high speed rail project is estimated to cost THB 179 billion (USD $5.2 billion) all of which is to be raised by the Thai government.

 

•The project’s second phase will cross borders and connect to the China-Laos rail line, which is currently under construction.

 

This second phase will run from Nakhon Ratchasima to Nong Khai on the Thai-Laos border to connect with the China-Laos railway to form the main line from Bangkok to Kunming.

 

Full story: http://www.inspirepattaya.com/pattaya/china-thailand-railway-silk-road-legacy-andrew-j-wood/

 

 

-- © Copyright Inspire Pattaya 2017-08-26

 

Thailand is the unaware fish caught on China's hook & line, and is slowly being reeled in.  In 50 years, Thailand will be nothing more than a "protectorate" of China. 

 

17 hours ago, Inspire said:

Poor railways in Thailand have proved insufficient in supporting economic growth in the country’s remote and less developed areas.

Yes, and the political fallout from that has been obvious. 

 

36 minutes ago, Just1Voice said:

Thailand is the unaware fish caught on China's hook & line, and is slowly being reeled in.  In 50 years, Thailand will be nothing more than a "protectorate" of China. 

 

A less than nimble minded military government will only make that easier for the Chinese. 

Good old Thailand, being dragged willingly into the 17th Century.

I see China had a major accident with one of theirs 40 dead. 

To misquote Virgil, "Beware of Chinese bearing gifts"

 

At first glance I thought the trains pictured above were New Zealand or Australian Trains, but after I calmed down I remembered that such projects in those countries would be another 300 years away.