Thailand’s Department of Rail Transport (DRT) is ramping up efforts to develop the Singapore–Kunming Rail Link (SKRL), aiming to position the country as a logistics hub within ASEAN. DRT Director-General Pichet Kunadhamraks recently led a delegation to Chongqing, China, to study the city’s logistics operations under the Belt and Road Initiative and assess integration with the New Land-Sea Corridor (NLS).
During the visit, the team examined multimodal transport systems, cross-border cargo operations, and rail-sea interconnectivity to enhance Thailand’s rail logistics. Notably, the Laos-China railway has significantly boosted trade, with rail freight from Thailand to China increasing from 2,288 tonnes in 2021 to 63,676 tonnes in 2024. Rail now offers a faster alternative for transporting goods, reducing shipping times from over two weeks by sea to just four days.
Thailand’s engagement with the China-Europe rail corridor is part of a wider strategy to enhance connectivity and promote the country as a regional trade gateway.
