The new network will link the regional route that connects Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Laos, and China, Department of Rail Transport director-general Pichet Kunathammarak said yesterday. To achieve the goal of opening this new regional rail link by 2027, Thailand needs to accelerate construction of the second phase of its double-track railroad as well as the new Thai-Lao friendship bridge, he said. The first phase of the new train system will wrap up next year when the total length of its double-track railway will have been extended to 627km, Mr Pichet said. The construction of these three -- of seven -- sections in the second phase, which span a total length of 1,479km, will have to be sped up in order to facilitate the planned connection of the double-track rail services through Thailand. The study found the new bridge should be built to serve transnational double-track rail services, as the first Thai-Lao bridge in the northeastern province can still meet the demand for transportation by car across the Mekong River.
