Big news is coming for railway enthusiasts and travelers in Thailand! Deputy Transport Minister Surapong Piyachote has announced that nine major railway projects, including the highly anticipated 357-kilometre second phase of the Thai-Chinese high-speed train system, are set to be proposed for cabinet approval next month. All in all, these projects will demand a significant investment of 661 billion baht.
Out of these nine projects, six will focus on double-track rail routes requiring a combined budget of 298 billion baht. The routes in question are a mix of vital links across the nation: the 285km Paknam Pho-Den Chai route, the 168km Chumphon-Surat Thani route, the 189km Surat Thani-Hat Yai route, the 308km Thanon Chira Junction-Ubon Ratchathani route, the 45km Hat Yai Junction-Padang Besar route, and the 189km Denchai-Chiang Mai route. Each of these will significantly enhance connectivity across Thailand, making travel swifter and more efficient.
Further expanding Bangkok’s metropolitan rail network, two ambitious projects aim to extend the city’s Red Line system into its suburbs, requiring a total budget of 21.6 billion baht. The Rangsit-Thammasat University Rangsit Campus extension is earmarked for a 6.4 billion baht investment, while the Siriraj-Taling Chan-Salaya extension will need about 15.1 billion baht. Once completed, these extensions are expected to ease congestion and facilitate smoother commutes for students and daily travelers alike.
Last but certainly not least, a colossal 341.3 billion baht will go into the second phase of the Thai-Chinese high-speed train system. This stage will stretch from Nakhon Ratchasima to Nong Khai, promising to be a game-changer for high-speed travel in Thailand. Bids for this phase are slated to be called later this year, with construction expected to wrap up by late 2028. Deputy Minister Surapong expressed optimism that lessons learned from the first phase would expedite this monumental task.
The first phase of this high-speed train project, which covers 250km from Bangkok to Nakhon Ratchasima, officially kicked off on December 21, 2017, but progress has been slower than anticipated. As of July 25, the project was only 34.9% complete, according to its official website. Challenges have ranged from technical setbacks to natural calamities. A recent, tragic incident involved the collapse of a rail tunnel in Nakhon Ratchasima, resulting in the deaths of three foreign workers—two from China and one from Myanmar. They were caught in the tunnel collapse on the night of August 27, following a period of heavy rain.
Despite these setbacks, the Thai government remains committed to pushing these projects forward. Transport Minister Surapong believes these developments will not only revolutionize travel but also boost economic growth and regional connectivity. Here’s to hoping smoother rails and faster journeys are on the horizon for Thailand!
It’s about time Thailand invests in its railway infrastructure. This could change travel for so many people!
True, but will the investment really benefit the common man, or just big corporations? These projects have a history of inflating budgets and causing more harm than good.
That’s a valid concern, Tom, but improved infrastructure can potentially balance out those issues by boosting regional economies.
It’s not all about the common man. Good infrastructure attracts investments and can be a huge plus for the economy.
Absolutely. However, I hope they also consider the environmental impact of these massive projects.
Can Thailand even afford this? 661 billion baht is a massive amount.
They can’t afford not to! Falling behind in infrastructure will harm Thailand’s competitiveness in the long run.
Good point, Sam. But let’s not forget the debt Thailand might incur to fund these projects.
True, Patricia. Debt is a killer if not managed properly. We’ve seen countries fall into a trap with high levels of borrowing.
I’m excited for the high-speed trains! No more long bus rides for intercity travel.
Just hope the ticket prices are affordable!
You think affordable transportation is their priority? Doubtful! Those trains will likely cater to the richer folks.
True, Jason, but even if they start pricey, prices might come down over time once the infrastructure is in place.
What about the farmers and rural communities? Will they benefit from these projects or get overlooked?
If done right, this could increase access to markets for rural areas. But that’s a big ‘if’.
It’s tragic about the tunnel collapse. The safety of workers should be a top priority moving forward.
Excited for the Siriraj-Taling Chan-Salaya extension. This will save so much time on my commute!
Lucky you! Let’s hope the rest of Bangkok benefits equally. The Red Line extensions are much needed.
Yeah, Joe! And if it’s done on schedule, it could be a benchmark for future urban projects.
Still skeptical. Thailand’s track record with large-scale projects isn’t exactly stellar.
Why isn’t more focus on sustainable transport options? High-speed trains are energy hogs!
High-speed trains are actually quite efficient compared to cars and planes. Sustainability depends on how the energy is sourced.
Fair point, Ben. But Thailand should also invest in green energy to power these trains.
I can’t help but think that the high-speed train phase 1 delays will repeat in phase 2. Optimism alone can’t build tracks.
Mixed emotions. Great for development, potentially disastrous for the budget and environment.
Will these projects really be completed by 2028? Seems overly ambitious given the current state.
This is interesting for ASEAN connectivity too. Could enhance travel between neighboring countries.
Exciting times ahead! But what’s the contingency plan if they run into more technical delays?
The lessons learned from phase 1 should ideally expedite phase 2, but government efficiencies are rarely that straightforward.
The question is, will this really boost economic growth as they claim?
Love the potential of zipping through Thailand on high-speed trains. Would make tourist spots so much more accessible.