The Prime Minister visited Laos and chaired the signing of a cooperation agreement for seamless rail freight transport, expected to increase economic value by more than 26 million baht per year.
Ms. Paethongtarn Shinawatra, Prime Minister and Mr. Sonxay Siphandone, Prime Minister of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) presided over the signing ceremony of the “Technical Implementation Memorandum for Rail Freight Transport” between the State Railway of Thailand (SRT), the Ministry of Transport, and the Lao National Railway State Enterprise, Lao PDR, to stimulate the economy and strengthen the joint transportation system between the two countries, linking the rail transportation network to make Thailand a rail transportation hub in the ASEAN region on October 8, 2024 at the Prime Minister’s Office, Vientiane, Lao PDR, with Mr. Viris Amrapal, Governor of the State Railway of Thailand, and Mr. Daochinda Siharad, Governor of the Lao National Railway State Enterprise, jointly signing the agreement.
Mr
. Wirit Amrapal revealed that the government places importance on developing the rail system, which is one of the country’s main transportation infrastructures. Therefore, it has assigned the SRT to accelerate the promotion and development of rail transportation, especially the transportation of goods between Thailand – Laos – China, which is a route that can connect the rail transportation network to create growth to the region, promote and stimulate the economy, in line with the strategic plan for the development of the country’s logistics system.
The State Railway of Thailand and the Lao National Railway State Enterprise have entered into an agreement on joint railway operations between the Government of the Kingdom of Thailand and the Government of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic since March 30, 2008. The signing of this agreement aims to facilitate rail freight transport and freight services between Thailand and Lao PDR, such as transportation routes, entry and exit points, train arrangements and s
chedules, regulations and documents for freight transport, train regulations, assistance in the event of an accident, and account settlement, which will enable efficient joint freight transport.
Currently, the transportation of goods from Thailand to Laos and China is diverse, such as malt, fertilizer, auto parts, e-commerce products, consumer goods, and fruits, with an average of 4-6 trains per day, back and forth, especially agricultural products (durian) and products from Laem Chabang via Natha Station on the Thai side to Thanaleng Freight Terminal in Laos to distribute goods to Laos and the People’s Republic of China, resulting in increased income. In 2023, there was income from the transportation of goods between Thailand and Laos of 11,361,000 baht, and from October 2023 to August 2024, there was an increase in income of 26,749,500 baht. However, it is expected that in 2025, there will be an increase in income of no less than 30 million baht.
‘I believe that the signing of this MOU will be an importan
t turning point that will help expand the rail transportation network, improve rail freight transportation in both countries, and create significant growth in international trade, making Thailand the center of rail transportation in the ASEAN region in accordance with the government’s policy,’ said Mr. Wirit.
Source: Thai News Agency
