HOME > NATION > Article

Text Size

small

medium

large


Rail, road developments to be stepped up for 3 northeastern provinces

Rail, road developments to be stepped up for 3 northeastern provinces

Provided by Nation.

Thailand to boost road, rail, and air transport in three northeastern provinces to create new tourism and economic hubs in the Mekong region.

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has ordered the Transport Ministry to accelerate the development of roads, railways, and air links to three northeastern provinces, aiming to transform them into economic and tourism hubs for the Mekong Basin, the government spokesman said on Sunday.

Government spokesman Jirayu Houngsub said the prime minister wanted transport facilities in Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom, and Mukdahan to be further developed to serve both tourists and local residents.Air Transport

For air transport, the ministry has been instructed to secure more flights to Nakhon Phanom and Sakon Nakhon to promote tourism in those provinces and surrounding areas.

The ministry has also been directed to proceed with the Mukdahan airport project, with its environmental impact study expected to be completed this year.Rail Transport

The ministry will construct a double-track railway from Ban Phai to Mukdahan and Nakhon Phanom, covering a distance of 355 kilometres. The railway is expected to be operational in 2028, serving 3.8 million passengers and transporting 700,000 tonnes of goods per year.

Additionally, three new railway projects are planned:


A 247-km railway from Udon Thani to Sakon Nakhon and Nakhon Phanom
A 316-km railway from Nong Khai to Bueng Kan and Nakhon Phanom
A 173-km railway from Mukdahan to Amnat Charoen and Ubon Ratchathani


The ministry will also build a goods transport terminal for border trade in Nakhon Phanom, which will be operational within this year.

The terminal will connect to the R12 international highway linking Laos, Vietnam, and southern China, and will offer one-stop services, integrating road and rail transport systems.

Road Transport

Jirayu said the Transport Ministry has completed the construction of several roads in Nakhon Phanom, Sakon Nakhon, and Mukdahan. The ministry will also undertake more than 20 additional road projects to better connect the three provinces to neighbouring countries.

Healthcare and Tourism Promotion

The government will promote the three northeastern provinces as year-round tourist destinations, highlighting their rich cultural heritage.

In addition, the government will strengthen healthcare services in the upper Northeast by approving the establishment of a medical school at Nakhon Phanom University, aimed at producing more doctors to serve the region.

NATION

HEADLINES

POLITICS
Japan Defense Ministry to Discipline 114 More over Mishandling of Secret Info
ECONOMY
US State of California Claims to Have Passed Japan in Terms of 2024 Nominal GDP
SPORTS
Women's Basketball: Japan to Have Practice Matches with Taiwan June 6, 7
OTHER
Malaria Researcher From Mali, Swiss NPO Given Hideyo Noguchi Africa Prize

AFP-JIJI PRESS NEWS JOURNAL


Photos