Thailand has announced that its section of the high-speed railway, which will connect the country with China through Laos, is slated to begin operations in 2030, marking a delay of nearly a decade from the original timeline of 2021.

Thailand expects its 609-km (378 miles) portion of a high-speed railway that will connect it with China through Laos to begin operations in 2030, its government said on Wednesday, nearly a decade later than originally planned.

Thailand aims to establish its first high-speed rail connection to China via Laos, enhancing trade and relations. The 609-kilometer network, part of China's Belt and Road Initiative, promises economic growth despite current delays.

Thailand expects to complete its first high-speed rail network linking the country to China through Laos in 2030, a long-delayed project officials have touted as key to furthering bilateral relations and trade between the two nations.

Thailand’s high-speed rail project is projected to connect the country with China by 2030. This railway will create a direct link between Bangkok, Thailand, and Kunming, China. As a result, travel time is expected to be greatly reduced. Additionally, the project will boost trade and strengthen economic ties across Southeast Asia.

By 2030, the US$13 billion Thai network is expected to connect to the Laos-China high-speed railway via a bridge over the Mekong River.