Thailand's richest man, 12 others to build $6.8 billion high-speed rail

[Srikcir]

16 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The high-speed train project is slated to be completed in five years, and will be operational for 45 years under the partnership

Considering Thailand is in the process of forming a new government likely this summer, this project is amazing from a governmental perspective.

It commits all future governments for the next 45 years to the project for which none will have had any involvement. If the Prayut government were in constitutional caretaker status, it couldn't neither award nor fund this project. But Prayut rejected placing his regime in caretaker status because - well, he can.

Even if he were elected as the next PM, he would have to get legislative approval for funding than simply mandating it.

[SuperTed]

The HSR links Bangkok's two airports with Pattaya's. 

 

So TH already has a Highway to Hell, a High Speed Expressway to Hell and a High Speed Ferry to Hell. Now they are adding a High Speed Rail to Hell?

 

Meanwhile the Western corridor and Northern corridor HSR routes, which should have begun construction a decade ago, and will bring actual economic development to Thais, are still in limbo.

 

Coming soon - a bike path to Hell?

[CGW]

2 minutes ago, SuperTed said:

The HSR links Bangkok's two airports with Pattaya's. 

 

So TH already has a Highway to Hell, a High Speed Expressway to Hell and a High Speed Ferry to Hell. Now they are adding a High Speed Rail to Hell?

 

Meanwhile the Western corridor and Northern corridor HSR routes, which should have begun construction a decade ago, and will bring actual economic development to Thais, are still in limbo.

 

Coming soon - a bike path to Hell?

"Hell hath no fury like a women scorned" ???? just thought I would throw that in there to stay with the "hell" theme! 

I will probably be "dammed to hell" for such a superfluous comment ???? 

[Nanaplaza666]

16 hours ago, GaryAdriaenssens said:

These people throw away money like water instead of creating more responsible social programs for the needy and poor in Thailand. Some Thais such as construction workers will benefit due to the creation of jobs but that would be only temporarily of course. What a waste.

You really think they going to use thai construction workers , they are to expensive. all the money they save goes i  prayuts' pockets .

[TMNH]

11 hours ago, gk10002000 said:

Yeah, this just sounds like it will be a long term pay out (at least as long as the junta is in control).  No fast train is needed.  Just one or two more well laid out rail lines, some car and track upgrades, etc. Every country has these high speed rail ideas.  60 or 90 miles/hour is plenty fast for a direct journey without too many stops.  With internet and wifi, the time of the journey is no where as big a factor as it was 50 years ago.  People can be in contact with their businesses while physically traveling.

Refer to Singapore  then perhaps you might understand "if" the powers that be truly want to change. All of this nonsensical talk re: what's not possible. If serious, then doable...as always...talk and no action, etc. the junta NOW has the power, therefore if the new king has any semblance (as his father did), he would look for improved resolution for the country. No rocket scientist required:)

 

 

[Nanaplaza666]

15 hours ago, dddave said:

A fast and efficient method of moving passengers between connecting airports and destination areas is a key component of making smaller airport facilities function well rather than continuing to expand BKK into a mega airport.

Your right but that can be done by a normal train that goes 160km/h doesn't need to be done by a 300 or more km/h train , if you drive a constant of 160 km/h you'll be in utapao in under an hour i think thats fast enough why the expensive high speed trains for such short distances .

[Srikcir]

17 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The committee, chaired by Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, chose a joint investor for the public-private partnership that required the lowest amount of investment from the government

So much lack of disclosures.

What is the government's investment amount and how will it be used?

From Gov’t Hits Brakes on Inter-Airport Rail Line Over CP Demands by Teeranai Charuvastra, Staff Reporter  http://www.khaosodenglish.com/news/business/2019/02/12/govt-hits-brakes-on-inter-airport-rail-line-over-cp-demands/

• Of the 224 billion baht needed for construction, CP said it would only seek 117 billion baht from the government.

The investment is about 50/50. How is 50% low? How is the government financing its portion of the investment - more debt?

Furthermore, who will be on the Board of Directors for the JV? As the government will be part owner (50%?), it would seem that it will have one or more seats on the Board. Would it be a surprise if the government nominates generals and/or family relations?

[hotchilli]

How about a high speed train network that links all of Thailands main cities together, north to south passing through Bangkok?

All this service does is cut-out the taxi mafia ripping off tourists entering/leaving Thailand. It offers nothing to the everyday commuter.

[newnative]

16 hours ago, ratcatcher said:

It

Good question wgd.

The line is already one third constructed. All they need to do is extend the Bangkok end of the Airport Rail Link up to DMK and put a Y in at Swampy with a direct connection down to U-Tapao. It's not rocket science, but it is basic railroad construction common sense.

Charoen Pokphand Railway? Already taken. 

 

     It might be 'basic railroad construction common sense' but it still doesn't answer the question as to why anyone would want or need to take a train from Swampy to U-Tapao.  Pity the money wasn't spent on Bangkok's totally inadequate and overloaded transportation system--buses, roads, and rail.

[tlandtday]

16 hours ago, GaryAdriaenssens said:

These people throw away money like water instead of creating more responsible social programs for the needy and poor in Thailand. Some Thais such as construction workers will benefit due to the creation of jobs but that would be only temporarily of course. What a waste.

My guess is this project will be built by the Chinese subcontracted just as is being done in Laos at present.  Can you say colony?

[TMNH]

2 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

How about a high speed train network that links all of Thailands main cities together, north to south passing through Bangkok?

All this service does is cut-out the taxi mafia ripping off tourists entering/leaving Thailand. It offers nothing to the everyday commuter.

 

2 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

How about a high speed train network that links all of Thailands main cities together, north to south passing through Bangkok?

All this service does is cut-out the taxi mafia ripping off tourists entering/leaving Thailand. It offers nothing to the everyday commuter.

 

2 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

How about a high speed train network that links all of Thailands main cities together, north to south passing through Bangkok?

All this service does is cut-out the taxi mafia ripping off tourists entering/leaving Thailand. It offers nothing to the everyday commuter.

 

3 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

How about a high speed train network that links all of Thailands main cities together, north to south passing through Bangkok?

All this service does is cut-out the taxi mafia ripping off tourists entering/leaving Thailand. It offers nothing to the everyday commuter.

And "why" would it cut out the average Thai person looking for a cheaper way of travel? Please explain.

 

[Farangwithaplan]

16 hours ago, Samuel Smith said:

And the rich get richer!  Why high speed on such short distances?

Generally speaking, to get to the destination faster.

 

[newnative]

1 hour ago, jimmyyy said:

And the taxi mafia is going to be happy when all of there customers take the train to pattaya verses a taxi.  Dont know how safe that train will be.  

   The taxi drivers and bus drivers can relax.  Doubt too many travelers will be using this train service.  First, considering the short distance and the number of stops the train will make, it's likely not going to arrive much faster.  Fast trains work best covering longer distances.  Then, it's going to dump you out in the middle of nowhere so you will still have to hire a taxi or, perhaps, a baht bus, into Pattaya or Jomtien.  I'll continue to take the bus or a taxi from Swampy.

[PETERTHEEATER]

So every fourth railcar will be a 7/11 on wheels?

[USMC RETIRED 2015]

16 hours ago, dddave said:

 

Hardly shortsighted. U-Tapao will be a major passenger and air cargo hub within 10 years which Thailand desperately needs as both BKK & DMK are at cargo capacity even now.  If the sea freight bottle-neck at laem Chabang can be relieved, Thailand's freight transportation infrastructure will be the best in SE Asia.   The eastern seaboard has more than tripled  it's manufacturing output over the last 15 years and with proper transportation infrastructure, will probably exceed that rate the next 15 years. This will create large numbers of highly technical and high paying jobs; the payoff to Thailand will be huge. 

you are using too much logic, foresight, using too many big words and you make too much sense for this forum group....finally someone with some intellect making an actual intelligent response about the potential of something like this.  Here come all the negative responses to this comment now...ready go!

[toofarnorth]

CP have a big steak in this . Train might get called the flying sausage .

[johng50]

Pity they couldnt make high speed election results happen. 

[Burma Bill]

16 hours ago, Justgrazing said:

Chicken foot soup in the buffet car anyone .?

And when you enter the buffet car, the automatic door will broadcast "Ding Dong WELCOME", "Ding Dong WELCOME" !!

[TMNH]

19 minutes ago, newnative said:

   The taxi drivers and bus drivers can relax.  Doubt too many travelers will be using this train service.  First, considering the short distance and the number of stops the train will make, it's likely not going to arrive much faster.  Fast trains work best covering longer distances.  Then, it's going to dump you out in the middle of nowhere so you will still have to hire a taxi or, perhaps, a baht bus, into Pattaya or Jomtien.  I'll continue to take the bus or a taxi from Swampy.

And you are privy to the plans? And your comment that the taxi drivers and bus drivers can relax "obviously" asserts that any alternative transportation is "obviously" opposed by you. So why is that?The logistics of a proposed train service may be short-sighted, yet the overall (albeit not thoroughly thought out) is a start. Unless of course you like the congestion...the daily death tolls...and most importantly, the lack of any driving skills.

 

So....whether the routes are questionable, the idea to attempt to curtail the carnage due to inferior skills re: drivers, then perhaps you could come up with a better plan? Nope....no relaxation to taxi drivers nor bus drivers. You either are open to a positive change OR you will be forever be cast as 3rd world country....ad finitum.

[Snow Leopard]

17 hours ago, ratcatcher said:

There are few foamers in Thailand and most are Thais.

Its a bit warm for the Anorak no?

[jeffreybangkok]

17 hours ago, wgdanson said:

Why would anyone want to get a train from Swampy/Don Muang, to U-Tapau?

Passenger from Don Mueng with domestic flight wanna make transfer to Suvarnabhumi to international flight or viceversa. Or those landed at Don Mueng and Suvarnabhumi can transfer straight to U-Tapao for Chonburi with many manufacturing plant. Is convinient & fast rather than taking taxi for transfer for business ppl and tourist as well.

[malibukid]

i wonder who's hands are in who's pockets

[TMNH]

2 minutes ago, jeffreybangkok said:

Passenger from Don Mueng with domestic flight wanna make transfer to Suvarnabhumi to international flight or viceversa. Or those landed at Don Mueng and Suvarnabhumi can transfer straight to U-Tapao for Chonburi with many manufacturing plant. Is convinient & fast rather than taking taxi for transfer for business ppl and tourist as well.

And the mode of transportation re: all of the areas you mentioned? And "if" I decided to go to Chonburi,...besides the manufacturing plant (please explain why I or anyone would care about that). And the transportation you don't allude to?  Whatever...my sadness is that Thai males are SO f...g insecure. A Thai male shot his ex GF- typically and why Thai women look elsewhere (understandably). Pathetic...numerous negative press. So when will all of that change? I suspect that it will not change. And I fear for Thai women- at the hands of psychotic, lack of emotional healthy Thai males look elsewhere. And if you look the other way, then you are just as responsible with these SOB Thai men who either harm or kill their usually ex-GF. If I were a a Thai woman, I would not only look elsewhere, but look to get out of a male-dominated society where obviously violence has become all too common.

 

 

This is OK?I see....if you're a Thai native and especially male AND you are not sickened by your sick and insecure male peers, then get some balls and attempt to rid them of their egregious acts. I am tired of how the women there are treated and the tides will suddenly turn:)

 

[malibukid]

22 minutes ago, TMNH said:

And you are privy to the plans? And your comment that the taxi drivers and bus drivers can relax "obviously" asserts that any alternative transportation is "obviously" opposed by you. So why is that?The logistics of a proposed train service may be short-sighted, yet the overall (albeit not thoroughly thought out) is a start. Unless of course you like the congestion...the daily death tolls...and most importantly, the lack of any driving skills.

 

So....whether the routes are questionable, the idea to attempt to curtail the carnage due to inferior skills re: drivers, then perhaps you could come up with a better plan? Nope....no relaxation to taxi drivers nor bus drivers. You either are open to a positive change OR you will be forever be cast as 3rd world country....ad finitum.

a Thai train?

[Grusa]

18 hours ago, wgdanson said:

Why would anyone want to get a train from Swampy/Don Muang, to U-Tapau?

I would. I live near U-tapao, very handy.

[dallen52]

Well that's a certainty to raise the annual road toll.

Unless they fully enclose it.

Remove all level crossings. 

Going to need a lot of overseas technology. 

[dallen52]

Two words from ancient Greek come to mind. 

Fakelaki. 

A monetary offering. 

 

Sakula. (SACK)

A Big bag stuffed with money. 

 

[Cadbury]

13 minutes ago, malibukid said:

i wonder who's hands are in who's pockets

I can only conclude you are being deliberately facetious. In case you are not here's a clue.

There are two parties involved, one party is a committee representing the junta generals (hereinafter referred to as the Receivers).

The other party is a conglomerate of extremely wealthy companies including one person who is one of the richest men in Thailand (hereinafter referred to as the Donors).

[Jimdandy]

19 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The high-speed train project is slated to be completed in five years, and will be operational for 45 years under the partnership, according to the EEC portal.

London Underground, operating more than 100 years, New York City MTA, operating more than 100 years, sooo what happens in year 46? Once partnership dissolves does this become another 'white elephant'

[Cadbury]

Sceptics Alert!

The junta has already given government approval for the EEC dream. That dream includes among other things a high speed rail link for passengers and a double freight track link between ports and and eastern provinces and manufacturing clusters.

So far as the HS rail link is concerned in the wisdom of the junta they hope to increase capacity to 110,000,000 people annually or in more easily understood terms about 300,000 per day. Or about double the number of people going through Suvarnabhumi on an average day. If that can be believed what else about the EEC can be believed? Presumably this is the number these mathematical wizards have used in the costing of the project to justify building it.

https://www.aseanbriefing.com/news/2018/06/29/thailand-eastern-economic-corridor.html