Its first phase - a 250-kmhigh-speed railway from Bangkok to Nakhon Ratchasima - is slated forcompletion in 2026, she said.
It consists of six stations in the capital city – BangSue Grand Station, Don Mueang, Ayutthaya, Saraburi, Pak Chong and NakhonRatchasima.
Traisuree said that of 14 civil construction contracts underthe first phase, one contract had been completed, nine are under construction,one is being prepared and three have yet to be signed.
She said the second phase – a 357-km high-speed railway fromNakhon Ratchasima to Nong Khai – is currently undergoing environmental impactassessment.
She added that the Department of Highways is cooperatingwith Laos on the construction of a bridge over the Mekong River for thehigh-speed railway.
Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul would lead a teamto Laos for talks on the bridge construction in October, she added.
Thailand’s first high-speed railway will link up with theChina-Laos high-speed railway in a network that will eventually connect Kunmingin China to Singapore./.