Thailand's Transport Ministry plans to seek Cabinet approval for a high-speed railway between Bangkok and Phitsanulok under its 2027 work plan, with construction targeted for January 2030.
The 380-kilometre line is the first stage of the proposed Bangkok-Chiang Mai high-speed railway, being developed in cooperation with Japan. Passenger services are currently targeted to begin in January 2036.
First phase of Bangkok-Chiang Mai plan
The full Bangkok-Chiang Mai project would cover 668 kilometres in two phases. Phase one, from Bangkok to Phitsanulok, is estimated to cost about THB276 billion.
Phase two would run 288 kilometres from Phitsanulok to Chiang Mai, with estimated investment of about THB232 billion.
The environmental impact assessment report for the Bangkok-Phitsanulok section has already been approved by the National Environment Board. However, the investment model remains under consideration.
Thailand's Transport Ministry and Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism have jointly signed a memorandum of understanding on rail-system development between the two countries.
Other high-speed schemes face delays
Thailand is still waiting for its first high-speed rail services to begin. The Thai-Chinese high-speed rail project's Bangkok-Nakhon Ratchasima section is currently under construction, following Cabinet approval on Tuesday, July 11, 2017.
The State Railway of Thailand says construction on that project is more than 55% complete, with services targeted to start in 2031.
A second project, the High-Speed Rail Linking Three Airports between Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi and U-Tapao, has yet to begin construction. Its joint investment contract was signed on Thursday, October 24, 2019, but negotiations over amendments to the agreement remain unresolved in the project's seventh year.
A proposal to terminate that joint investment contract is also likely to go before the Eastern Economic Corridor Policy Committee, chaired by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul.
Major investment remains the challenge
High-speed rail is regarded as a major infrastructure project with substantial expectations, but its high investment requirements have made progress difficult. The system also requires technology Thailand has not previously used.
Picture courtesy of The Nation
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30 July 2026
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