[5] In March 2013, then-transport minister revealed that only one company would be selected to run all high-speed train routes, scheduled to be operational between 2018 and 2019.

China will conduct feasibility studies, design the system, construct tunnels and bridges, and lay track.

[9] Despite China offering financial packages for its infrastructure deal, Thailand chose to pay the whole project cost, ensuring the independent ownership of the railway.

The other route will connect Kaeng Khoi with Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate of Rayong Province.

[14][15] Northeastern High Speed Railway will use Fuxing Hao CR300AF High-speed rail EMU, produced by CRRC.

Construction of Thailand's 873 km (542 mi) portion of the railway system started in December 2017 and is expected to take three years for phase 1 to Nakhon Ratchasima.

[1] In February 2018, the Thai transport minister stated that the contract for the first phase, the 250.8 km Bangkok to Nakhon Ratchasima section,[11] would be issued by May 2018.

After several postponements, the Bangkok (Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal) to Nakhon Ratchasima high-speed rail project (Phase 1) was officially launched by the Thai government in October 2020.