On 7 November 2022, Mr. Saksayam Chidchob, Thai Minister of Transport, and Mr. Lin Nianxiu, Vice Chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) of China, co-chaired the 30th meeting of the joint committee for Thai-Chinese railway cooperation which was held via video conference. Participants included senior executives from the Ministry of Transport, the Department of Rail Transport, the Department of Highways, the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning, the State Railway of Thailand, and relevant agencies including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Economic and Social Development Council, the Office of the Attorney General, the Office of the Council of State and the National Science and Technology Development Agency. Realizing the importance of the development of Thailand's logistics system, the Thai Prime Minister thus pushed for the promotion of connectivity in the country, the Greater Mekong Subregion and the ASEAN region and thus accelerate the implementation of the Thai-Chinese railway cooperation project to enhance public well-being and strengthen supply chains without leaving anyone behind according to government policies.
During the meeting, Mr. Saksayam stated that the 30th meeting of the joint committee for Thai-Chinese railway cooperation was an important event for strengthening the logistics potential in the Mekong Subregion. The Ministry of Transport is aware of the importance of high-speed railway connection among Thailand, Lao PDR and China for future sustainable development at both subregional and regional levels. In this context, the Ministry of Transport will also accelerate the construction of the Thai-Chinese high-speed railway to fulfil the goal set by both the Thai and Chinese leaders. The meeting agenda included:
- The Thai party updated the progress of the first phase of civil works for the high-speed railway project from Bangkok to Nakhon Ratchasima, most of which were ongoing. An office of project management was established to expedite the construction and both parties agreed to exert the greatest possible effort to complete the construction in due course.
- Both parties agreed to proceed with the second phase of the railway cooperation project which will stretch from Nakhon Ratchasima to Nong Khai, in accordance with related Thai laws and regulations. The Thai party presented the implementation plan and progress of the second phase, of which the detailed design of civil works had been completed.
- Both parties conversed about railway connection between Nong Khai and Vientiane and agreed to hold a trilateral meeting of representatives at all levels from Thailand, Lao PDR and China at an appropriate time agreed by the three parties. The meeting will focus on possibility of reducing obstacles and operational costs as well as efficient and sustainable transportation and logistics facilitation among the three countries.
- Both parties considered the plan for construction of a new bridge over the Mekong River. The Thai party was carrying out the feasibility study on the construction of a combined railway and car bridge. When the study is completed, the Thai party will generate the detailed design. The Chinese party will assist with coordination and support the project implementation. Both parties agreed on accelerating the Singapore–Kunming railway project, especially the connecting route from Thailand to Lao PDr and China.
- Both parties stressed the importance of logistics facilitation at the border control facilities, especially for the transportation of perishable goods.
Finally, both parties agreed to hold the 31st meeting of the joint committee after the Thai-Chinese-Lao tripartite meeting on the Nong Khai–Vientiane railway connection project to further develop interregional rail connectivity for boosting the economic growth of the region in a stable, prosperous and sustainable way.