Thai rail link to benefit automotive shipments in region

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Cross-border trade in South-east Asia will be boosted by a new rail link connecting Thailand’s Laem Chabang port with Laos, and eventually Kunming in south-west China. The first part of the rail link will cover 870km and, according to this article, will be particularly useful for the automotive trade – with Thailand strong in assembly and China’s high demand. Two of the rail hubs will be at Ayuthaya and Rayong, main centres for vehicle and parts production in Thailand. General Motors, Honda, Ford, Mazda, BMW and Suzuki are among manufacturers based there.