Amidst the folds of the mountains in the Indochinese Peninsula, a transcontinental artery is quietly taking shape. From the railway network in Thailand to the land ports in Laos, and then to the logistics network between Vietnam and southern China, the once "land locked" territory has been pried open inch by inch by the railway tracks, and a supply chain corridor connecting ASEAN and China is awakening.

Planning a direct connection channel between the railway and the port

The Savannakhet Land Port in Laos has launched a key upgrade, planning to connect with the Mudahan Railway Container Station in Thailand to create a multimodal transport system integrating public, railway, land and port transportation. After the completion of the project, it will open up the logistics channel from Thailand to Laos, Vietnam to southern China, and build a supply chain golden corridor connecting ASEAN and southern China. On August 14, 2026, the Chairman of the Transport Committee of the House of Lords of Thailand led a delegation to conduct a field survey of Savannakhet Dry Port and Savannakhet Special Economic Zone, and promote the interconnection between the Thai Laos Railway, the dry port and the industrial zone. Under the current mode, after Thai railway goods arrive in Mudahan, they have to transfer by road, which is cumbersome and time-consuming. The new plan realizes the direct connection between railway container stations and land ports, achieving a one-stop intermodal operation mode.

Building a regional logistics hub

Shawan Najib Land Port was put into operation in 2016, equipped with digital facilities such as electronic locks, container tracking, and fast customs clearance. It was acquired by Dubai Global Ports Group last year, further enhancing its international operational strength. Plan logistics routes to connect Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam, providing direct access to the logistics network in southern China, helping Laos overcome its landlocked situation, and opening up efficient cross-border trade channels for Thailand, Vietnam, and southwestern China. Several enterprises have landed in the Shawan Special Economic Zone adjacent to the land port. After the railway connection, Thai raw materials can be processed in the region at low cost, and finished products can be sold to Vietnam and China; Chinese goods can also quickly enter the Southeast Asian market through this, building a complete industrial chain of cross-border production logistics sales. Keywords: multimodal transport, cooperation between Thailand and Laos, cross-border logistics

Improve cross-border collaboration mechanism

In addition to hardware connectivity, Tai Lao will also promote unified electronic customs declaration, mutual recognition of inspection and quarantine results, use electronic locks to supervise bonded goods, and reduce duplicate inspections. Shawan Najib Land Port currently has a digital foundation that enables one-time declaration and full traceability of goods. At present, the project has entered the stage of deepening design. After completion, the cross-border transportation time will be reduced by more than 30%, effectively reducing logistics costs and creating a multimodal transportation artery for ASEAN to connect with China, injecting new impetus into bilateral trade growth.Editor/Gong Ziwei