Thailand to Develop Transport Hub

11-May-2019 by Thodsapol Hongtong | Bangkok Post

A 100-billion-baht infrastructure development project is now to prepare Thailand into a transport hub for the 6 Mekong Region countries. The project focusing on border provinces of the following:

1. Chiang Rai in the northern – a double-track railway from Denchai to Chiang Khong, and a goods transport centre.
   Chiang Khong is also part of the [ North-South Economic Corridor ], which links Thailand, Laos and southern China.
2. Nong Khai in the North-eastern border to Laos capital – Vientiane.
   A bridge to be built for cars and trains heading to Vientiane, as well as a train station and a goods transport facility.
3. Nakhon Phanom in another North-eastern border to Laos central provinces.
   To be approved by the cabinet for a new double-track railway linking Ban Phai, Mukdahan and Nakhon Phanom in order to streamline the regional route from the northeastern border to the Laem Chabang Port in Chon Buri district
4. Sa Kaeo in the eastern border to Cambodia.
   A bridge will be built in Aranyaprathet district, which crosses the Bhrom Hote Canal to access Poipet, Cambodia. The bridge to be opened in 2021.
5. Tak in the Western border to Myanmar.
   Mae Sot border checkpoint in Tak has been touted as a transnational route in the [ East-West Economic Corridor ]. A new bridge has been built and opened, which is part of a larger plan to connect Mae Sot and Yangon, Myanmar and improve access to the Indian Ocean.

Rail, road developments to be stepped up for 3 northeastern provinces

NationThailand | 2025-Apr-27

Thailand to boost road, rail, and air transport in three northeastern provinces to create new tourism and economic hubs in the Mekong region.

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has ordered the Transport Ministry to accelerate the development of roads, railways, and air links to three northeastern provinces, aiming to transform them into economic and tourism hubs for the Mekong Basin, the government spokesman said on Sunday.

Government spokesman Jirayu Houngsub said the prime minister wanted transport facilities in Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom, and Mukdahan to be further developed to serve both tourists and local residents.

Air Transport
For air transport, the ministry has been instructed to secure more flights to Nakhon Phanom and Sakon Nakhon to promote tourism in those provinces and surrounding areas.

The ministry has also been directed to proceed with the Mukdahan airport project, with its environmental impact study expected to be completed this year.

Rail Transport
The ministry will construct a double-track railway from Ban Phai to Mukdahan and Nakhon Phanom, covering a distance of 355 kilometres. The railway is expected to be operational in 2028, serving 3.8 million passengers and transporting 700,000 tonnes of goods per year.

Additionally, three new railway projects are planned:

• A 247-km railway from Udon Thani to Sakon Nakhon and Nakhon Phanom
• A 316-km railway from Nong Khai to Bueng Kan and Nakhon Phanom
• A 173-km railway from Mukdahan to Amnat Charoen and Ubon Ratchathani

The ministry will also build a goods transport terminal for border trade in Nakhon Phanom, which will be operational within this year.

The terminal will connect to the R12 international highway linking Laos, Vietnam, and southern China, and will offer one-stop services, integrating road and rail transport systems.

Road Transport
Jirayu said the Transport Ministry has completed the construction of several roads in Nakhon Phanom, Sakon Nakhon, and Mukdahan. The ministry will also undertake more than 20 additional road projects to better connect the three provinces to neighbouring countries.

Healthcare and Tourism Promotion
The government will promote the three northeastern provinces as year-round tourist destinations, highlighting their rich cultural heritage.

In addition, the government will strengthen healthcare services in the upper Northeast by approving the establishment of a medical school at Nakhon Phanom University, aimed at producing more doctors to serve the region.

Thailand unveils logistics roadmap at Asia-Pacific rail exhibition

Source: XinhuaEditor: huaxia2026-05-06

Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn on Wednesday unveiled an ambitious roadmap to transform the Southeast Asian country into a regional trade and logistics hub.

In his opening remarks at the Asia Pacific Rail 2026 in Bangkok, Phiphat reaffirmed the government’s push to elevate Thailand’s rail network into the core engine of the nation’s and ASEAN’s infrastructure, economy, and logistics.

Phiphat said this involves accelerating feasibility studies for the landbridge mega-project, which aims to link the Gulf of Thailand with the Andaman Sea via an integrated land, pipeline, and rail network designed to significantly reduce transit time and logistics costs.

He emphasized that the expansion of cross-border rail links is a crucial strategy for enhancing regional integration and fostering collective economic advancement across the Lancang-Mekong subregion and ASEAN.

Thailand seeks to be the connectivity hub by developing railway links to Malaysia and China through Laos, the deputy prime minister said, adding that achieving this success will require close collaboration in terms of standards, technology, and regulations to ensure truly seamless connectivity.

He also noted that Thailand remains committed to fostering public-private partnerships in advancing the rail network, while simultaneously prioritizing the integration of clean energy and green innovation to achieve a sustainable, zero-emission transport system for the region.

According to the organizers, the 28th edition of Asia Pacific Rail drew record-breaking participation of more than 5,500 industry leaders, policymakers, and regulators to the region’s leading event for rail technology and infrastructure development.

With over 200 exhibitors and 160 speakers, the two-day conference provides a platform for attendees to evaluate the latest innovations in rolling stock, signaling, digital rail, track infrastructure, maintenance, payments, and ticketing.

Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn delivers the opening remarks at the Asia Pacific Rail 2026 in Bangkok, Thailand, May 6, 2026. (Xinhua/Sun Weitong)