A planned 873-kilometer China–Thailand High Speed Rail will connect Bangkok, Thailand, to Kunming city in Yunnan Province, People's Republic of China (PRC). 

On 29 March, transportation authorities from the Thailand and construction firms from the PRC signed the construction agreement for the first phase of the railway.  

The first phase covers the 251-kilometer section, connecting Bangkok to Nakhon Ratchasima in Thailand. It has a total budget of 179 billion baht ($5.85 billion) and is set to be completed and operational in 2026.  The planned second phase will link Nakhon Ratchasima to Nong Khai in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic.
 
In October 2020, PRC and Thailand signed a contract, which covers the railway system, electrical, signaling and communication systems, the procurement of train carriages, and staff training. 

This article was first published by the Greater Mekong Subregion on 23 April 2021.