High-speed railway on course for completion in 4 years

[reader]

From The Nation

Thailand’s first high-speed railway will link up with the China-Laos high-speed railway in a network that will eventually connect Kunming in China to Singapore.

First-phase construction of the project – a 250-kilometre high-speed railway from Bangkok to Nakhon Ratchasima – is on schedule for completion in 2026, government spokeswoman Traisuree Taisaranakul said on Sunday.

The first phase consists of six stations – Bangkok’s Bang Sue Grand Station, Don Mueang, Ayutthaya, Saraburi, Pak Chong and Nakhon Ratchasima.

She said the second phase – a 357-kilometre high-speed railway from Nakhon Ratchasima to Nong Khai – is currently undergoing environmental impact assessment.

She added that the Department of Highways is cooperating with Laos on the construction of a bridge over the Mekong River for the high-speed railway.

[kjun12]

I seriously doubt this can be done in four years.  It will take more time than that for Thailand's politicos to steal enough money from that project to satisfy their greed.

[PeterRS]

1 hour ago, kjun12 said:

I seriously doubt this can be done in four years.  It will take more time than that for Thailand's politicos to steal enough money from that project to satisfy their greed.

And no doubt the popiticians and their cronies have been buying up the land to sell back to the state at a vastly inflated price!

Kunming will be a great destination, though, from Bangkok. Yunnan has some specatcular sights for tourists whenever tourism opens up again. Five years ago I went to Dali,  the wonderful old town in Lijiang ending with a stay outside Shangri La (Zhongdian) with its stunning Tibetan Ganden Sumsteling monastery, arguably the finest outside Tibet and often called the Little Potala Palace.