Railway Transport Cooperation between Thailand and the Lao PDR

     Thailand’s transportation links with foreign countries, especially in ASEAN countries, requires continuous cooperation on international transport, such as Thailand and the Lao PDR cooperating on railway links. A new Mekong railway bridge has been constructed. Because of the heavy traffic of the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge 1, the bridge had to be closed. Vehicle traffic during times when the train passes would be more inconvenient. Therefore, a new bridge has been rebuilt specifically for the train.

     On the construction of the new railway bridge, there were discussions between the three parties, Thailand, Laos, and China, to study and design a 1-meter and 1.435-meter railway for the future Thai-Laos-China high-speed rail link project in line with the Thai-Chinese Railway Cooperation Project (Bangkok – Nong Khai route) and the Lao-Chinese Railway Cooperation Project (Khun Ming – Viang Chan route) that opened on December 2, 2021.

      In this regard, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Government of the Kingdom of Thailand, the Government of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, and the Government of the People's Republic of China to connect the railway lines between Nong Khai and Vientiane. The memorandum will connect the Thai-China Railway Cooperation Project and the China-Laos Railway Project. The railway will be equipped with standard railways and 1-meter rail lines. China will also participate in implementing the project to provide a bridge between the ASEAN region and the People's Republic of China in the future.  

Data updated on October 2021
Source: Foreign Affairs Division, Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transport