Northeastern Line (Thailand)

{{About||the high-speed rail|Bangkok–Nong Khai high-speed railway}}

{{Infobox rail line

| box_width = 300px

| name = Northeastern Line

| other_name =

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| native_name_lang = thai

| color = {{rcr|SRT|Northeastern}}

| logo =

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| image = File:I persuade my guide to follow the train to the train station in Laos (14526011515).jpg

| image_width = 300px

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| caption = Street running RHN1036 train across the First Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge.

| type = {{ubl|Inter-city rail|Regional rail|Commuter rail|Freight rail}}

| system =

| status = Operational

| locale = {{ubl|Isan|Central Thailand|Vientiane Prefecture}}

| start = Bangkok (Hua Lamphong)
Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal

| end = Ubon Ratchathani
Khamsavath (Laos)

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| routes =

| connectinglines = {{ubl|Ubon Ratchathani Main Line|Nong Khai Main Line|Lam Narai Branch Line}}

| daily_ridership =

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| planopen =

| open = {{Start date and age|1896|3|26|df=y}}

| yearcommenced = {{Start date and age|1891|3|9|df=y}}

| yearcompleted = {{Start date and age|1967|8|19|df=y}}

| close =

| lastextension = {{Start date and age|2023|10|31|df=y}}

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| owner = Government of Thailand

| operator = State Railway of Thailand

| character =

| depot = {{ubl|Bang Sue|Kaeng Khoi|Nakhon Ratchasima|Ubon Ratchathani}}

| stock =

| linelength_km =

| linelength_mi =

| linelength = {{ubl|{{convert|575|km|mi|abbr=on}} (Ubon Ratchathani Main Line)|{{convert|627.5|km|mi|abbr=on}} (Nong Khai Main Line)}}

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| tracks = 2–1

| gauge = {{track gauge|1m|allk=on}}

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| map = {{SRT Northeastern Line RDT|inline=yes}}

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}}

The Northeastern Line ({{langx|th|ทางรถไฟสายตะวันออกเฉียงเหนือ}}) is a railway line in Thailand that connects the capital Bangkok with the northeast region of Isan. The section from Bangkok to Nakhon Ratchasima is Thailand's first line that opened for passenger service.[http://portal.rotfaithai.com/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=17 History of Thai Railway] {{in lang|th}} The line is also a key section on the central route of the Kunming–Singapore railway.

Route description

The Northeastern Line shares tracks with Northern Line between Bangkok and Ban Phachi Junction. It has three main branches:

Ubon Ratchathani Main Line, between Bangkok and Ubon Ratchathani
Nong Khai Main Line, between Bangkok and Nong Khai, branching off after Nakhon Ratchasima. The line also crosses the Thai-Lao border into Thanaleng, with an extension to Khamsavath railway station being opened in 2023.{{Cite web |title=Lao and Thai PMs inaugurate Vientiane-Khamsavath railway station; link between two countries to further boost trade |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/aseanplus/aseanplus-news/2023/10/31/lao-and-thai-pms-naugurate-vientiane-khamsavath-railway-station-link-between-two-countries-to-further-boost-trade |access-date=7 November 2023 |website=The Star |language=en}}
Lam Narai Branch Line

Timeline

= Ubon Ratchathani Main Line =

Source:งานฉลองรถไฟหลวง ครบ 50 ปี, กรมรถไฟ, 2490

9 March 1891 - started construction
26 March 1896 - opened Bangkok – Ayutthaya
1 November 1897 - Ayutthaya – Kaeng Khoi
21 December 1900 - opened Kaeng Khoi – Nakhon Ratchasima
1 November 1922 - opened Nakhon Ratchasima–Tha Chang near a pier on Mun river that allowed boat service between Tha Chang and Ubon Ratchathani along Mun river
1 April 1925 - opened Tha Chang – Buriram
1 August 1928 - opened Buriram – Sisaket
1 April 1930 - opened Sisaket – Ubon Ratchathani

SRT also built a short railway line from Bung Wai to Ban Pho Mun which was opened on 1 August 1930,Annual Report of Royal State Railway BE2473, published in 1932 but the line was closed on 1 December 1954 due to the construction of Seri Prachathippatai bridge (officially opened in 1955) that allowed the connection between Ubon Ratchathani city and Ubon Ratchathani without the need for ferry across Mun river.

= Nong Khai Main Line =

1 April 1933 - opened Nakhon Ratchasima – Khon Kaen
24 June 1941 - Khon Kaen – Udon Thani
13 September 1955 - Udon Thani – Na Tha (first Nong Khai station)
31 July 1958 - Na Tha – Nong Khai (Talat Nong Khai, second Nong Khai station)
2008 - Nong Khai (third and current Nong Khai station) – Talat Nong Khai section closed.
5 March 2009 - Nong Khai – Thanaleng (Vientiane Prefecture)
31 October 2023 - Thanaleng – Khamsavath (Vientiane Prefecture)