Recently, in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, a planned station site is still an open space, but discussions surrounding it have been ongoing for many years in the drawings and conference rooms. From here to the north, a 357 kilometer railway line will pass through Wuai, Banpai, Kongjing, Wulongtani, and finally arrive in Langkai. The advancement of this route is not only related to the transportation pattern in northeastern Thailand, but also affects the final connection of the land route from Kunming to Bangkok.

Thai Cabinet approves Phase II project

On February 4, 2025, the Thai Cabinet officially approved the second phase of the China Thailand high-speed railway project from Nakhon Ratchasima to Langkawi, with a total investment of 341.351 billion Thai baht, equivalent to approximately 72.5 billion yuan, fully funded by the Thai government. The project adopts Chinese railway technology standards for construction, and is a standard gauge double track railway with a designed speed of 250 kilometers per hour and mixed passenger and freight lines. China and Thailand collaborate to carry out technical cooperation, scheme demonstration, and talent cultivation, with Thailand assuming the main responsibility in terms of funding and decision-making.

Promotion of the Nakhon Ratchasima to Langkai Line

The main line of the second phase of the railway is 357.12 kilometers long, starting from Nakhon Ratchasima Station, heading north through Muai, Banpa, Khon Kaen, and Ulongtani, and ending at Langkai Station. According to the plan, the main construction of the project is scheduled to start in 2027, with a construction period of 48 months and a target of completion and opening to traffic by 2031. Since the second half of 2026, the preliminary bidding and land acquisition coordination work has been steadily advancing. As the junction point between Phase I and Phase II, Nakhon Ratchasima will undertake the function of converting passenger and freight flows between the two lines, and its hub position will gradually emerge with the progress of Phase II. Keywords: the Belt and Road News Network, engineering frontline, China Laos Railway, China Thailand Railway

Corridor connects China Laos railway

Langkai is close to Vientiane, Laos. In the future, it can connect with Vientiane South Station of China Laos Railway through the Mekong River railway connection line. After the entire passage is completed, the travel time from Bangkok to Langkai will be reduced from the current about 11 hours to 3 hours and 15 minutes, forming a rapid land corridor from Kunming to Bangkok via Vientiane. At the passenger transport level, it shortens the time and space distance between cities in the Indochina Peninsula. At the freight transport level, it provides a high-capacity channel for materials such as rubber, tropical fruits, rice, and minerals. Chinese electromechanical equipment and light industrial products can also enter the Thai and ASEAN markets at low cost. As of July 2026, the civil engineering progress of the first phase of the Bangkok to Nakhon Ratchasima section has exceeded half, with the goal of being completed and open to traffic by 2030. After the two sections of the line are completed successively, the shortcomings of the long-term lack of fast railways in northeastern Thailand will be filled.Editor/Gao Xue