The dream of train travel between Bangkok and Beijing edges closer as Thailand embarks on expanding its railway network. A trial service is set to run between Bangkok and Vientiane, the capital of Laos, from July 13 to 14, as announced by the State Railway of Thailand. Once operational, this new link promises to enhance transportation between Thailand, Laos, and China, remarks Ekarat Sriarayanphong, an official from the railway agency.

With the introduction of the Thailand-Laos connection, travellers will soon have the opportunity to journey by train from Bangkok to Beijing, making stops in Vientiane and the southern Chinese city of Kunming. Despite covering roughly 2,000 miles, including traversing mountainous terrain, the journey is expected to take nearly a full day, a notable contrast to the approximately five-hour non-stop flight duration.

Already, a high-speed train operates between China and Laos, facilitating the transportation of Thai goods via rail to Kunming. According to a Nikkei report, this development has significantly reduced delivery times to China, down to 15 hours from the previous two days required for trucks to navigate the challenging mountain routes.

For Thailand, bolstering connectivity with China, its principal trading partner, holds strategic importance in fostering economic growth, which currently lags behind that of its regional counterparts. Trade figures reflect the significance of this relationship, with Thailand's exports to China amounting to nearly $32 billion in the first 11 months of the previous year, featuring key products such as fruit and rubber. Meanwhile, imports from China totalled $65.3 billion during the same period, dominated by sectors like electric equipment and machinery.

Beyond trade, the two nations are strengthening tourism ties. China permits visitors from Thailand to stay for up to 60 days, reciprocated by Thailand offering a 30-day stay allowance to tourists from China.

Further enhancing prospects for tourism and economic collaboration is a long-awaited project that aims to establish a high-speed rail system linking Thailand to China through Laos by 2028, promising additional opportunities for growth and connectivity in the region.