An accident occurred on the construction section of the Thailand-China high-speed rail project, where a crane collapsed and fell onto a passing train, resulting in at least 32 deaths and 64 injuries. Chinese Ambassador to Thailand Zhang Jianwei exchanged views with Thai Prime Minister Anutin regarding the accident, stating that China is willing to guide Chinese enterprises to actively cooperate with the Thai investigation.
On June 14th, at the Thailand-China high-speed rail project construction site in Korat Province, northeastern Thailand, a crane collapse accident occurred, crushing a passing passenger train. The affected high-speed rail section is part of the project jointly developed by Thailand and China, with the contract undertaken by Italian-Thai Development PLC. According to The Nation, after the incident, three companies affiliated with China Railway Engineering Corporation (CREC) came under investigation by the authorities.
When Zhang Jianwei met Anutin on the 15th, he expressed his sincere condolences for the casualties caused by the accident, saying, "The Chinese side attaches great importance to the safety of the project and personnel, and has always required Chinese companies to participate in cooperation in accordance with laws and regulations. We are willing to guide Chinese companies to actively cooperate with the Thai side's investigation and believe that the Thai side will reach an objective and fair conclusion."
The Thailand-China high-speed rail plan was set in motion in 2017, with an estimated budget of about $5.4 billion USD. The goal is to construct a high-speed railway line that passes through Laos and connects Bangkok, Thailand, with Kunming, China, and it is expected to open in 2028.