A Royal Decree on Land Expropriation in Bangkok, Pathum Thani, Ayutthaya, Saraburi and Nakhon Ratchasima provinces has been published in the Royal Gazette, to pave way for the construction of the first stage of the Thai-Chinese high-speed train mega project, running from Bangkok to Nakhon Ratchasima in the north-east.

In Bangkok, land will be expropriated in parts of Chatuchak, Lak Si and Don Mueang districts. In Pathum Thani the land is in Lam Luk Ka, Thanyaburi, Muang and Khlong Luang districts. In Ayutthaya province, the areas include Bang Pa-in, Muang, Uthai and Phachi districts.

In Saraburi province, the areas to be expropriated cover parts of Nong Saeng, Sao Hai, Muang, Kaeng Khoi and Muak Lek districts while, in Nakhon Ratchasima, the areas include parts of Pak Chong, Sikhio, Song Nern and Muang districts.

The Thai-Chinese high-speed train project is part of Pan-Asian rail network, linking Beijing with Singapore, and is a long envisioned element in China’s Belt and Road initiative.

The first section, from Kunming, the capital of China’s Yunnan province, to the Laotian capital of Vientiane, has been completed and has been operational since last December. The next section, from the Thai border province of Nong Khai, opposite Vientiane, to Bangkok is yet to be built.