PM Pushes Faster Progress on Thailand’s High-Speed Rail and Land Bridge Projects

PM Pushes Faster Progress on Thailand’s High-Speed Rail and Land Bridge Projects. This was reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has urged ministries to accelerate Thailand’s high-speed rail and land bridge projects. These initiatives will reduce transportation costs, enhance trade, and improve regional logistics efficiency.

High-Speed Rail: A Key Economic Initiative for Thailand

During a special program, Thailand’s Opportunity with Prime Minister Paetongtarn, she detailed her official visit to China, marking fifty years of Thai-Chinese diplomatic relations. The episode, aired nationwide on February 16, highlighted strategic agreements reached during her meetings.

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Between February 5-8, she engaged with top Chinese leaders, including President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang, and Chairman Zhao Leji. Meeting all three in a single visit was unprecedented, demonstrating China’s commitment to strengthening ties with Thailand.

Discussions focused on economic cooperation, tourism growth, and cybersecurity. China expressed keen interest in sending two new giant pandas to Thailand. Additionally, measures were discussed to attract more Chinese tourists, ensuring their safety through stronger crime prevention initiatives.

Paetongtarn emphasized that both phases of Thailand’s high-speed railproject remain under development. Once completed, the railway will connect Thailand with China and Laos, streamlining logistics while reducing expenses for farmers and small businesses.

The initiative will provide businesses with a faster and more affordable shipping option. China considers the project a priority and urged Thailand to speed up its implementation. The prime minister responded by directing ministries to fast-track construction.

Thailand’s Land Bridge Project Gains International Interest

China also expressed strong interest in Thailand’s Land Bridge project, a massive infrastructure plan linking Chumphon and Ranong through deep-sea ports. The project aims to enhance transport efficiency and reduce dependency on the Malacca Strait.

If realized, the Land Bridge would improve connectivity, benefiting China and neighboring countries. Chinese authorities requested a comprehensive feasibility study, recognizing its potential advantages. The Thai government formed a research team to facilitate the assessment.

“The Land Bridge will cut export times by four days and lower costs by 15%, reducing fuel consumption. This will result in more affordable products while aligning with sustainability goals,” Paetongtarn explained, stressing its importance for logistics.

Thailand’s goal is to establish itself as a regional logistics hub, creating employment and driving economic growth. The project’s development aligns with global green energy trends, making it attractive for foreign investment and infrastructure partnerships.

On trade and investment, Paetongtarn invited Xiaomi to build an electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing facility in Thailand. This move aims to boost local employment while reinforcing Thailand’s position as a leader in ASEAN’s automotive sector.

Cybersecurity and crime prevention were also key discussion points. China commended Thailand’s decisive actions against online scams and agreed to establish two joint task forces to combat cybercrime. These teams will work swiftly to address digital fraud.

“China is committed to assisting Thailand but prefers two specialized teams for efficiency. The foreign ministry will oversee discussions to ensure rapid implementation and effective resolutions,” Paetongtarn stated during the program.

At the conclusion of her visit, Paetongtarn emphasized that closer ties with China would enhance national security. Strengthened cooperation in combating transnational crime will lead to significant reductions in cyber threats and other criminal activities.

Fourteen new agreements were signed during the trip, drawing extensive attention from Chinese media. These covered cybersecurity, data-sharing, and joint development projects, laying the groundwork for deeper bilateral collaboration.

Paetongtarn also attended the opening ceremony of the 9th Asian Winter Games, where she supported Thai athletes. She congratulated Paul Henri Vieuxtemps for securing Thailand’s first bronze medal in freestyle skiing, a historic achievement.

Source: www.nationthailand.com

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