It can be done if Chinese build it but then Thailand will become 100% China's southern province. I guess it is already but then it's confirmed and sealed for good.

Please note that the HSR will be elevated all the way so there will be no road crossings.

The one problem I can see are the farmer drying their rice crops on the tracks.

Carnage at the road crossings will be unfathomable.

Nuclear powered by their nuclear power station. 

16 minutes ago, Estrada said:

Please note that the HSR will be elevated all the way so there will be no road crossings.

You underestimate Thais.

 

 

2 hours ago, Chazar said:

if ever there was a more  unnecessary train needed in Thailand its  this, what they need is a  slower countrywide  good service thats AFFORDABLE

The Chineses are getting real estate concessions, what will that entail??

I would say that all those thousands of empty condos on the coast from Cha Am to Hua Hin will soon be gobbled up by Hong Kong chinese as holiday homes, in a few years the chinese will be flooding into Thailand by rail by the thousands, invasion by stealth is underway.

A high speed rail link to Vietnam from LOS would be nice.

Long time expecting but still in bla-bla-bla 

1 hour ago, bkkcanuck8 said:

True bullet trains have NO level crossings... 

 

Oh ! And that what is it ?

 

 

3 hours ago, webfact said:

He hopes to see sleek trains pinballing around the country at 155 mph (250 kph) within five years.

 

2 hours ago, Grumpy John said:

That will go straight over the head of the folks who aren't Australian or English!

And old!

certainly hope they are pin balling if I am on 1 to much bouncing of pillars.

3 hours ago, Chazar said:

if ever there was a more  unnecessary train needed in Thailand its  this, what they need is a  slower countrywide  good service thats AFFORDABLE

If it connected north to south and east to west I could understand it... a viable alternative to using roads or air travel....

@Estrada

 

Thanks for giving some insider info, which most subsequent posters seem to have ignored.

 

I was one of the many skeptics regarding the necessity of a Japanese style bullet train for the short distances involved between the stations on the Pattaya route but I now know this is not the plan.

 

I've taken the current third class service from Chachoengsao to Bangkok many times. It's not a nice experience but at 13 baht it is very affordable for the locals.

 

I totally get your point about the BTS. I remember it was underused when I first arrived in Bangkok in 2002; I don't ever remember having to stand. Fast forward to last week and it was like they needed the Japanese style guys that push the commuters into the trains.

Good infrastructure normally improves a countries wealth but big improvements in education is required to capitalise on the investment. China is a good example of what can be achieved.

Airasia will probably go on strike and block the runways to stop this project 

more loans from china that wont be able to be repaid?

 

9 minutes ago, chiman said:

Airasia will probably go on strike and block the runways to stop this project 

Yeah, Air Asia are terrified of losing all the revenue they get from the Bangkok - Pattaya flights. 

5 minutes ago, unamazedloso said:

more loans from china that wont be able to be repaid?

 

There is no Chinese loan. 

"This is going to be a big change for Thailand," 

 

Yeah, the Chinese will now own a piece of Thailand's hide.  Go belt and road!

 

Nothing like a deal with the devil to get something "free."

AKA Rapid troop deployment vehicles

3 minutes ago, josephbloggs said:

There is no Chinese loan. 

You are right.  Paid for by a partnership between CP and the PRC.  It's "free."

 and I "hope" to be become a millionaire tomorrow. 

4 hours ago, jastheace said:

this is only possible if the order has been made to 'Hornby' already.

i think TRIANG  would be the best deal ????

So who do you think will ride these high speed trains?  No locals could afford it. Only hi-so and millions of Chinese tourists.  Thailand--the next Chinese satellite country...

I am sure they will have trains that run,unfortunatly they wont have the track for 10/15 years later.

2023?   Will never happen without a major western contractor and even at that 2023 is very aggressive.

Right of Way access usually takes that long alone.

What a bunch of BS. They havent finished the red line north from Bang Sue to Rangsit via Don Muang in 4 years now. Plus they built Don Muang Station so it does not connect to either terminal at DM airport. It ends at the car park for terminal 2.  Totally laughable. 

1 minute ago, Captain 776 said:

2023?   Will never happen without a major western contractor and even at that 2023 is very aggressive.

Right of Way access usually takes that long alone.

Why does it need a Western contractor?  The Chinese build HSR lines faster than anyone else, and last time I checked they weren't using Western contractors.

Right of Way access is another thing...

1 hour ago, Estrada said:

It will be elevated all the way, so no problem with crossings

Will the station at Pattaya be in the same location that it is now? A 2 minute drive from my home. Will be an absolute boon for me. Great for travelling to both Suvarnabhumi and U Tapo. Will also make my visits to Bangkok far more frequent.

 

I hope I live to see it. 555