Laos is heavily indebted to and economically dependent on China. Could Vietnam and Thailand offer a way out of its conundrum? The post Laos Is Turning to Its Neighbors to Loosen China's Economic Grip appeared first on World Politics Review.

Thailand aims to establish its first high-speed rail connection to China via Laos, enhancing trade and relations. The 609-kilometer network, part of China's Belt and Road Initiative, promises economic growth despite current delays.

According to a report from the Lao Ministry of Public Security, human trafficking in Laos often involves brokers and criminals using cyber scams, particularly call-center scams, to trick Lao girls into risky and illegal situations.

Thailand started the construction of the high-speed rail network in 2017 under the Chinese government’s Belt and Road Initiative, according to the project’s website. The Thai government is responsible for entire project investment, civil works construction, and application of Chinese construction technologies and railway systems.

By 2030, the US$13 billion Thai network is expected to connect to the Laos-China high-speed railway via a bridge over the Mekong River.

With the Chinese New Year approaching, the Laos-China Railway has rolled out special measures at the Bohan Railway Border, including expanded counter services and a lane for travelers, to manage the surge in passenger flow.

Thailand's high-speed rail project connecting Bangkok to China through Laos has achieved significant progress, with the first phase now over one-third complete

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand expects its 609-km (378 miles) portion of a high-speed railway that will connect it with China through Laos to begin operations in 2030, its government said on Wednesday, nearly a decade later than originally planned.

Thailand says its $13bn high-speed railway to China through Laos will enter service in 2030, South China Morning Post reports.

Laos is heavily indebted to and economically dependent on China. Could Vietnam and Thailand offer a way out of its conundrum?

During the SpringFestival holiday passengers travel home or explore new destinations via trains running between southwest China Kunming and Vientian