Progress is being made on a high-speed rail running between China and Thailand after 8 months. The 17 billion US-dollar network is Thailand's biggest and most-important Belt and Road project. Martin Lowe has been to see the route taking shape.

Alongside the existing standard track, they're carving out the route for Thailand's first high-speed railway – a prestige project under Belt and Road between China and the Thais. Construction workers at Nakhon Ratchasima in central Thailand are leveling the track-bed at the first section of the 600-kilometer network, from the country's capital Bangkok to its north eastern border with Laos. China is designing the railway, bringing expertise from the rapid development of its own high-speed network. Thai workers - like this tractor driver - have come from across the country to be part of the project.

WATCHARA PHROMBOON TRACTOR DRIVER "I'm happy to be involved in this project, the first in our country. It's good! The railway will be able to carry freight much better than the trucks on the road do."

ISSARA LOIDA CONSTRUCTION WORKER "I think this is very important for Thailand, both for passengers and trade."

In the future it's hoped to extend the railway north through Laos to China - and south to Singapore - creating the first Pan-Asian rail network.

WEERAYUT KAEWSAWANG PROJECT ENGINEER "Rain has been falling constantly, which has put us behind schedule. But we have a new and better surveying technique and a material testing system from China, which is more accurate than anything used before in Thai railway construction."

Speaking in Bangkok at a Belt and Road presentation, China's former ambassador to Thailand says the scheme will promote prosperity.

GUAN MU FORMER CHINESE AMBASSADOR TO THAILAND "I believe this project will speed up Thailand's commercial growth and bring the country economic success."

MARTIN LOWE NAKHON RATCHASIMA, THAILAND "This is Thailand's blue ribbon Belt and Road project – a railway which it's hoped will one day span the country and beyond. It will revolutionize the transport network – and forever in the future these workers can say: "I was there, I helped build it."

Super-fast electric trains will replace Thailand's ageing diesel locomotives on the dual-track network, providing greater safety and comfort and slashing journey times. With knowledge gained in the first stages, it's believed construction will accelerate, bringing the project to completion by the early 2020s. Martin Lowe CGTN Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.