Thailand is advancing several rail projects, focusing on high-speed connections and urban extensions. The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) is overseeing these developments.
The Sino-Thai high-speed railway project consists of two phases. The first phase is a 250-kilometre section linking Bangkok and Nakhon Ratchasima. The second phase is a 356-kilometre section from Nakhon Ratchasima to Nong Khai, with an estimated cost of $9.8 billion. Construction of the first phase began on December 21, 2017, and was 34.9 per cent complete as of July 25. The government aims to complete the second phase by the first quarter of 2025, with both sections expected to be operational by 2028.
The Transport Ministry has instructed the SRT to find a private bidder for the second phase of a double-track railway project worth $8.5 billion. This project comprises six routes: the 285-kilometre Paknam Pho-Den Chai route, followed by the 168-kilometre Chumphon-Surat Thani route, which connects to the 189-kilometre Surat Thani-Hat Yai route. Additionally, there’s the 308-kilometre Thanon Chira Junction-Ubon Ratchathani route, as well as the 45-kilometre Hat Yai Junction-Padang Besar route, and finally the 189-kilometre Denchai-Chiang Mai route.
Furthermore, two extensions of Bangkok’s Red Line system are planned: the Rangsit-Thammasat University Rangsit Campus extension costing $183 million, and the Siriraj-Taling Chan-Salaya extension requiring $432 million, totalling $615 million for both extensions.
Veeris Ammarapala, the new SRT director, is tasked with completing these projects and clearing the SRT’s $6.6 billion debt. The SRT plans to allow private sector investment in its projects and develop properties along the railways to increase revenue.
Nine railway projects, including the second phase of the Thai-Chinese high-speed train system, will be proposed for cabinet approval. These projects require a total investment of $18.9 billion.
The government aims to shift the main mode of logistics transport from road to rail. Bids for the second phase of the high-speed train project are expected to be called later this year.
