Thailand-Laos rail project expected to be operational in mid-2023
Vientiane (VNA) - The Thailand-Laos rail
project is on track, with services expected to commence in mid-2023, said the State
Railway of Thailand (SRT).
Both
countries are providing training for train operators, maintenance staff and
related officers.
The training
is expected to be completed by December, after which both countries will
discuss train operations and fees, as well as other related issues. The
discussions are expected to wrap up before the scheduled opening date in
mid-2023.
The project will see the
railway linking Nong Khai province of Thailand to Vientiane capital of Laos, where it
will connect with the China-Laos railway that runs to Kunming. This stretch
went into operation in December last year.
Train
operations will commence in mid-2023 with four return trips per day. The route
will also run past Thanaleng Dry Port and a container yard.
In the second phase starting
from 2024, the SRT will extend the route to Udon Thani and Nakhon Ratchasima
stations, with two trains running daily from Nakhon Ratchasima to Vientiane
Khamsavath and back.
The last phase, from 2025, will see the route
further extended to Bang Sue Grand Station, with two return trips per day
between Bangkok and Vientiane Khamsavath./.