Thailand’s planned high-speed railway from Nakhon Ratchasima to Nong Khai will extend the Bangkok–Nong Khai corridor through the country’s northeast. The project is progressing through land acquisition procedures and preparation for civil works procurement.
Approved by the Thai Cabinet in February 2025, Phase 2 covers 357.12 km and includes five stations. Its published route configuration combines elevated structures and ground-level sections.
Information current to 21 October 2026.
Project scope and investment
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) is responsible for implementing the project, which passes through Nakhon Ratchasima, Khon Kaen, Udon Thani and Nong Khai provinces.
The five planned stations are:
- Bua Yai
- Ban Phai
- Khon Kaen
- Udon Thani
- Nong Khai
The approved investment framework totals approximately THB 341.35 billion. It comprises the high-speed railway component and the Na Tha transshipment centre in Nong Khai province.
Phase 2 extends the railway beyond Nakhon Ratchasima towards the Thai–Lao border. Further cross-border infrastructure and operating arrangements form part of the wider objective of strengthening railway connectivity between Thailand, Laos and China.
Route structure: elevated and ground-level sections
Published project information identifies two principal forms of alignment:
- Elevated structures: 202.48 km, approximately 56.7% of the route.
- Ground-level sections: 154.64 km, approximately 43.3%.
The two lengths together account for the full 357.12 km alignment. The percentages are calculated from the published lengths.
Thailand’s Department of International Trade Promotion reported that the route design had been adjusted to reduce impacts on local access and movement.
From an engineering perspective, this configuration indicates substantial bridge and foundation works, alongside earthworks, subgrade construction and transitions between elevated and ground-level sections. Detailed bridge spans, foundation types, ground treatment requirements and quantities remain subject to the formal tender and design documents.
Does Phase 2 include railway tunnels?
The published route breakdown does not identify a separate mainline tunnel section for Phase 2. Based on that breakdown, the disclosed alignment consists of elevated and ground-level sections.
The Muak Lek and Lam Takhong railway tunnels belong to Contract 3-2 of Phase 1, the Bangkok–Nakhon Ratchasima section. They should therefore be distinguished from the Nakhon Ratchasima–Nong Khai project.
The final Phase 2 configuration remains subject to the applicable design and procurement documents.
Land acquisition procedures
On 14 October 2026, the Thai Cabinet approved in principle a draft royal decree defining the land acquisition areas for Phase 2 and referred it to the Council of State for review.
The government announcement identifies an acquisition scope covering parts of 19 districts across four provinces, including approximately:
- 1,345 rai of land, equivalent to around 215 hectares.
- 1,991 land plots.
- 1,428 structures.
The stated provision for land acquisition and asset compensation is approximately THB 12.42 billion.
Approval in principle of the draft decree represents progress in the legal process. It does not mean that land acquisition, compensation or site handover has been completed.
Civil works procurement and construction targets
In its update dated 27 July 2026, Thailand’s Department of Rail Transport stated that terms of reference and reference prices for civil works and construction supervision were being prepared alongside land acquisition activities.
The published programme targeted:
- Announcement of tenders for eight civil works contracts by December 2026.
- Start of construction in 2027.
- Completion of construction in 2031.
These dates are programme targets. Construction completion, systems installation, testing, commissioning and the start of passenger services are separate milestones.
As of this brief’s information cut-off, the sources reviewed by EngiFind had not established verifiable bid submission deadlines or award announcements for the eight civil works contracts. Final contract boundaries, eligibility requirements, quantities and submission dates should be checked against the procurement notices issued by SRT.
Na Tha transshipment centre
The approved project also includes the Na Tha transshipment centre, with an investment allocation of approximately THB 5.69 billion.
The centre is intended to support freight transfer between Thailand’s metre-gauge railway and the standard-gauge Laos–China railway system.
Its freight-handling function is distinct from the high-speed railway’s passenger transport role. The two components should be considered separately when reviewing project scope, budgets and future procurement packages.
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Sources and further reading
- Thai Public Relations Department — Second Phase of Thai-Chinese High-Speed Railway Project, 6 February 2025
- Thai Government — Phase 2 land acquisition draft decree, 14 October 2026
- Department of Rail Transport — Project implementation and procurement preparation, 27 July 2026
- Department of International Trade Promotion — Published route structure, 12 July 2024
- Thai–Chinese High-Speed Railway Phase 1 — Contract 3-2 railway tunnels
Prepared by EngiFind from publicly available sources. Project scope, procurement requirements and implementation dates remain subject to formal documents issued by the responsible authorities and project owner.