Cooperation on China-Thailand railway planning has not been affected by political upheaval in Thailand. The plans are part of a strategy of regional interconnection and interworking, as well as a means of creating a marine portal to the Indian Ocean.

On November 18, the Thai cabinet passed a decision authorizing cooperation planning. According to information released by the Transportation Administration of Thailand, China will cooperate with Thailand through its government in building 867 km of standardized two-track railway connecting Nong Khai Province, Bangkok, and Rayong Province, with financial support coming partly from China.

As an essential element of China-Thailand strategic cooperation and Pan-Asia railway planning, China-Thai railway planning is important to both countries. In 2003 China and Thailand first announced that China was interested in becoming involved in the construction program for a high speed railway from Nong khai to Passy, and had offered part of the construction fee in exchange for agricultural products in its Future Plan of China-Thai Relationships. This program was known as "rice for high speed rail", but it failed as a result of political unrest.

Although the military coup in May was considered to be a severe blow to Thaksin groups, the transitional government led by Prayuth, the nucleus of anti-Thaksin power, did not abandon the "rice for high speed rail" program proposed by the Yingla government. It was relaunched in August with a number of adjustments. China-Thailand railway planning is better adapted to all the requirements than a high speed railway only suited to passenger transport – the new plan foresees a standardized two-track railway suitable for both passenger and freight transport. While sacrificing speed, the government will win capacity for large-scale freight transport, which seems more significant in northern and north eastern regions.

The cooperation program has now been confirmed, which means that the major route goes through Indo-China Peninsula from North to West will begin construction. It will also inject new energy for China's move to develop the West. What is more, the program will set an example for regional interconnection and interworking. Countries of north eastern Asia are enthusiastic about the idea of cooperation with China, especially in basic construction, but hesitant to act. China and Thailand are now exploring more solid cooperation, which is likely to encourage other north eastern countries to make similar efforts in the construction of the 21-century Maritime Silk Road.

Once the railway network is built up on the Indo-China Peninsula, China will obtain a maritime portal via a mainland route which will break through surrounding obstacles. The China-Thailand railway will not quite reach the Indian Ocean, but with the construction of Tuwa port between Thailand and Burma, there will be an excellent prospect of making the connection.

This program has been under pressure at home and abroad from the beginning, especially with tendering, scheduled to be held at the beginning of next year, still under discussion. After the recent APEC in Beijing, Thailand made the program an issue of government cooperation, avoiding the problem of market uncertainty. This has also reinforced strategic cooperation between China and Thailand, and it will surely bring about predictable mutual benefits.

The article is edited and translated from 《中泰铁路获批：“绿灯”为互利而亮》; Source: The Beijing News; Author:Zhou Fangye.