On 16th October 2023, the Thai government approved the state-owned railway company SRT's application for around €775,000 (THB 29.7 million) for the double-tracking of the Khon Kaen – Nong Khai railway line. The 167 km line runs to Nong Khai near the border with Laos and transports a significant amount of freight. Once completed, the project is expected to increase capacity for the transport of freight between Thailand, Laos, and China, while reducing transport costs. The project includes the construction of six new railway stations and the reconstruction of another eight, as well as the construction of 31 road bridges and 53 road underpasses and the installation of fencing along the double-track sections. Construction is scheduled to start in 2024. The Bangkok – Khon Kaen corridor has already been double-tracked as part of a national programme to cover up to 2,500 line-km of SRT's over 4,000 km metre-gauge network.
