Motorway Rail Map: Plans for huge new motorway network in Thailand gather speed

[webfact]

Picture: Daily News

Plans to criss-cross Thailand with what is called a MR-MAP - Motorway Rail Map - are taking shape. 

The plan is for motorways to run side by side rail networks. 

So far ten plans - MR 1 -MR10 - are on the drawing board but three are being favored at the moment.

These would be MR5 that would connect Chumporn and Rayong in the south at a distance of 108 kms part of the so called "land bridge" development to link the Andaman to the Gulf then to indo-China. 

The second is MR8 that would connect Nong Khai in the far north with Laem Chabang on the eastern seaboard. Elevated sections, tunnels and eight rest areas are being mooted along with ten in/out sections.

Picture: Daily News

The third is the MR9 from the three pagodas pass in Kanchanaburi  in the west to the Friendship Bridge in Ubon Ratchathani in the north east. This would also have elevated sections, eight rest areas and ten in/out sections.

In total these routes would criss-cross the country for 836 kms, reported Daily News.

The plans are the baby of transport minister Saksayam Chidchob who promised more details in a month after surveys commission from January to September this year reach the next stage. 

Other plans being considered include routes from Tak to Nakhon Phanom, Kanchanaburi to Sa Kaeo, Chonburi to Trat, Phuket to Surat Thani, Chiang Rai to Songkhla and Bung Kan to Surin. 

Public forums about the proposals will be conducted in May. 

 

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[PatOngo]

Dreamers, get the high speed train up and running as you've been threatening for how many years now? 

[internationalism]

road and rail networks are independent and each has different rules, for example train stations must be close to town centres. Travellers would chose train, for comfort, price and speed.

the 3 first MR's would be much longer than 836km. The existing shortest route 3 pagoda to friendship in udon is 940km. Yes, it can be shortened if run through jungle and mountains, but for what purpose.

running train line from three pagoda pass is pointless, as the place is tiny and there is nothing on the other side of the border. The existing line to kanchanaburi and further to nam tok is for tourists and there is never any freight trains. Also road beyond kanchanaburi town is pretty empty.

looks like grandiose projects by bumjai party are only to make money for corrupted politicians 

 

Edited March 17, 2021 by internationalism

[jollyhangmon]

 

... pretty realistic title pic though, just zoom in on the train to the left, it appears to be derailed already, 555 ...

[RubbaJohnny]

No enginneering qualifications but experience in Alps and  Bohemian Hills tells me shorter wheel base lighter vehicles can manage sharper curves and with switchbacks, I think called hairpins (tight corners) road traffic can pass over hills too steep for even newest Thai trains unless they plan a Dizzyworld roller coaster ride with small cars riders strapped onto a local?

Having lived here in 2 millenia what is really happening is yet another a gravy train , wild schemes are touted some even surveyed built if sufficient grease, In neighbouring small town near here at least half a dozen cvered markets built , seldom used, when I queried why many nmoons ago the complete explanation, someone got rich out of a contract.As you drive N out of Bangers to Don Muang you'll see the rotting columns of one such pipe dream.

Perhap sthe new tunnel will link Ireland Borisland, duck under bombay along kekparkway, a close shave with Burma  and FewKhet then across the gulf of disbelief to Patters , Snookyville, Bougainville , Bali and Darwin for the South Pole consulting engineers Rick Shaw Unlimited ?

 

Happy Isthmus mind don't get run over my any oven ready high speed hubs, rubba dubba don't.

[RichardColeman]

Forget bitcoin - buy shares in Thai cement companies

[Pattaya Spotter]

Chumporn and Rayong are 108 kms apart...oh it's a Chidchob proposal...that explains it.

Edited March 17, 2021 by Pattaya Spotter

[PETERTHEEATER]

The challenge and cost of building any motorway from the Three Pagodas pass in NW Kanchanaburi eastwards makes this a non-starter. Unless the much-vaunted development of the deep-water port of Dawei in Burma is completed there would be insufficient traffic to justify the expense alone.

Edited March 17, 2021 by PETERTHEEATER
Spelling

[welshguy]

Oh dear god!! 

Railways NEXT to the roads?

 

I was a train driver in the U.K for many years, (now retired ) There are some instance of course, where cars collide with trains...mainly st crossings, and thank god very rare.

With the standard of Thai driving though, (on roads Im talking about)..I fear it will become almost a daily occurrence , for some cars to "leave the road" ...(they do now !) and collide with trains etc.

 

I would only hope, IF this happens, that there is a major obstruction (maybe a 30thick concrete barrier!) between any road and railway track!

[GinBoy2]

One thing to always love about Thailand is the daily flight to Fantasy Land.

Hub of this, hub of that, High Speed rail to God knows where, the possibilities are boundless.

I look forward to tomorrows offering of a Thai base on the moon.

Aim high, dream big....and probably achieve nothing if history is anything to go by

[hotchilli]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

Plans to criss-cross Thailand with what is called a MR-MAP - Motorway Rail Map - are taking shape. 

More roads are not always the answer, just improve a nationwide rail system & get cars off the road.
Also use them as a freight route to get commodities moving around the country.

[Justgrazing]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

Plans to criss-cross Thailand with what is called a MR-MAP - Motorway Rail Map - are taking shape. 

Jesus what are they on about .. 

Why not call it what it is : 

the fastrack grid of death ..

[Srikcir]

As if Sino-Thai, Italia-Thai and CP Group need another infrastructure contract.

[tinca tinca]

non khai is in the NORTHEAST not north, there again geography IS NOT taught in schools!!

[Partenavia]

Thailand.......the hub of ideas!!!

[Gracas]

5 hours ago, Justgrazing said:

Jesus what are they on about .. 

Why not call it what it is : 

the fastrack grid of death ..

Do worry most of us will be dead well before this idea come to life.

[greeneking]

7 hours ago, PETERTHEEATER said:

The challenge and cost of building any motorway from the Three Pagodas pass in NW Kanchanaburi eastwards makes this a non-starter. Unless the much-vaunted development of the deep-water port of Dawei in Burma is completed there would be insufficient traffic to justify the expense alone.

The current situation in Burma absolutely makes this a non starter. And the Chinese had no interest already. There, I have saved you a lot of money.  Where is my commission?

[Albert Zweistein]

10 hours ago, RubbaJohnny said:

No enginneering qualifications but experience in Alps and  Bohemian Hills tells me shorter wheel base lighter vehicles can manage sharper curves and with switchbacks, I think called hairpins (tight corners) road traffic can pass over hills too steep for even newest Thai trains unless they plan a Dizzyworld roller coaster ride with small cars riders strapped onto a local?

Having lived here in 2 millenia what is really happening is yet another a gravy train , wild schemes are touted some even surveyed built if sufficient grease, In neighbouring small town near here at least half a dozen cvered markets built , seldom used, when I queried why many nmoons ago the complete explanation, someone got rich out of a contract.As you drive N out of Bangers to Don Muang you'll see the rotting columns of one such pipe dream.

Perhap sthe new tunnel will link Ireland Borisland, duck under bombay along kekparkway, a close shave with Burma  and FewKhet then across the gulf of disbelief to Patters , Snookyville, Bougainville , Bali and Darwin for the South Pole consulting engineers Rick Shaw Unlimited ?

 

Happy Isthmus mind don't get run over my any oven ready high speed hubs, rubba dubba don't.

What you been smoking ?

[RichardColeman]

7 hours ago, welshguy said:

I would only hope, IF this happens, that there is a major obstruction (maybe a 30thick concrete barrier!) between any road and railway track!

And at least 30ft high too please 

[Patong2021]

Thailand  does not seem to have heard of Paris Accord. Each year, more pollution from burning and now they want to build more motorway. train will use what type of fuel? Diesel?   Thailand rely on fossil fuel for electricity generation at 80%+, so electricity is not clean energy in Thailand.

This country wants to be so much like China. maybe if it look to Singapore ,  South Korea or Japan it have better example for transport systems.

[VocalNeal]

2 hours ago, Patong2021 said:

maybe if it look to Singapore , 

Size? Bangkok is twice the size of Singapore. 

If Thailand needs more motorways it needs them East-West. Chiang Mai to Udorn? or...

[Soikhaonoiken]

More pipe dreams, all on paper, but never will come to practice.... ????????

[DefaultName]

The Chinese army will love these when the time comes.

[Pilotman]

UK's HS2 is costing circa 60 billion pounds Sterling, it will in all probability end up as 100 billion, and that's for less than 200km of high speed track.  I read somewhere a while ago that to just repair all the UK roads and motorways to a acceptable long term standard and upgrade bridges would cost in access of 150 billion Sterling and that's not building anything new.  So if all this is right, how in God's name can Thailand afford what the are doing now and planning to do.  The only possible answer is that they are selling their very soul to the Chinese.  Well good luck with that idea. It will all end in tears at some point. I just hope that I am around to see it, but probably I will not be. 

[ChipButty]

I always thought BKK to Phuket would have been a good route, maybe the taxi mafia wont allow

[djayz]

Spend the money on maintaining the existing infrastructure. Probably a lot less expensive, more practical and environmentally friendlier. 

Edited March 18, 2021 by djayz

[josephbloggs]

2 hours ago, Pilotman said:

 It will all end in tears at some point. I just hope that I am around to see it, but probably I will not be. 

There goes Pilotman again, wishing heartache and misery on an entire nation of people.