Thailand's long-awaited high-speed railway that will connect it with China via Laos is now projected to start operations by 2030, nearly ten years later than originally intended, as stated by government spokesperson Jirayu Houngsub.

The initial phase of the project, linking Bangkok to Nakhon Ratchasima, is more than one-third complete. Once finished, the entire route will stretch to Nong Khai at the Laos border, and will connect with the existing $6 billion Vientiane-Kunming railway, which is part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative.

Jirayu emphasized the project’s potential to bolster Thailand’s international economic ties and support its ambition to become a regional logistics hub. Construction delays were attributed to financial and design disagreements, along with interruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.