Thailand’s State Railway seeks 50 billion baht for expansions

[webfact]

 

Thailand’s State Railway (SRT) is planning to request the cabinet’s approval for a funding amount exceeding 50 billion baht. This hefty sum is aimed at financing the construction of a double-track railway stretch from Khon Kaen to Nong Khai and the expansion of Red Line electric train routes.

 

The announcement follows a directive from Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit, who instructed the swift progression of major railway projects, with the proposal submissions to the cabinet scheduled for this month. SRT governor, Nirut Maneephan, confirmed the news yesterday.

 

Nirut detailed how the funds would be allocated, stating that Phase II of the double-track rail route connecting Khon Kaen and Nong Khai – a 167-kilometre stretch – would benefit from a budget of 29.7 billion baht.

Nirut explained that 9 million baht is reserved for hiring a real estate consultant, 369 million baht is set for land ownership management, 7 million baht for bidding, 28.7 billion baht for construction, and 604 million baht for appointing a firm to oversee the construction work.

 

by Mitch Connor

Image by Andrey Khrobostov

 

Full story: The Thaiger 2023-09-26

 

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[retarius]

Does this include the high speed, 50 mph train from Bangkok to Korat? Which at the rate it is being built looks like it will be ready for use around 2100. And was about the motorway M6, that was supposed to be open in Dec 2020 and looks like it might be ready by 2040? One could be forgiven for thinking (erroneously, of course :)) that these infrastructure projects serve only one purpose, and that being to funnel money to lucky ministers in charge of the projects. Incompetence on this scale is a crime.

[steven100]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

9 million baht is reserved for hiring a real estate consultant, 369 million baht is set for land ownership management, 7 million baht for bidding, 28.7 billion baht for construction, and 604 million baht for appointing a firm to oversee the construction work and

 

and 20 million baht for me

[HaoleBoy]

Hopefully Thailand isn't going to borrow the money from China as part of their "Belt and Road" initiative.  Laos bankrupted themselves taking this pseudo "free" money and Cambodia has been going down this same path.  China will get a deep water port in Cambodia from this.

I'm sure China is looking at giving loans to Thailand for the "Land Bridge" in the south too so they can move in and take it over when finished.

[sammieuk1]

They forgot the 3 gazillion needed in digging a big hole to throw the 50 billion in but it looks like a goer anyway ????

[Sydebolle]

Well, start charging Central Department Store in Lad Prao market-conform rent for the property on which there is the Central Plaza Hotel and the Central Shopping dungeon. Then get these trains anywhere closer to the 21st century as well - Thais use trains as a last resort for good reason. 
Once that is done, talk to the Commodore or Admiral, who for any price on the planet insists on the survival need of submarines for the Thai navy. Once that is ticked off, see Thai Airways and kick out all those useless leeches in charge of parking 50+ aircraft longterm on Suvannaphoum and other aerodrome aprons. Another source could be the Airport Authority of Thailand with their daydreaming of expansion and duplicating of airports; excellent example could be Nakorn Ratchasima/Korat (IATA NAK). The old airport built by the Americans 60+ years ago between the city zoo and the city proper was and still is perfect; presently only used by the Air Force. The "new" airport was built some 30+ kilometers out of town - nobody in his right mind flies to Korat any longer. 

The complete waste of land owned and unused by the State Railway of Thailand is sufficient proof of absolute incompetence on the whole line ..........

[Skeptic7]

Guess they'll be scheming up some new BS scam tax on foreigners living here to foot the bill. Thailand never opens it's vast coffers at the top. 

[fondue zoo]

22 hours ago, webfact said:

Nirut explained that 9 million baht is reserved for hiring a real estate consultant, 369 million baht is set for land ownership management, 7 million baht for bidding, 28.7 billion baht for construction, and 604 million baht for appointing a firm to oversee the construction work.

 

So Juicy.

 

[NE1]

22 hours ago, retarius said:

One could be forgiven for thinking (erroneously, of course :)) that these infrastructure projects serve only one purpose, and that being to funnel money to lucky ministers in charge of the projects.

It's a shame , but I also think of this when I read about a new project .

[pixelaoffy]

State Railways of Thailand is the biggest owner of unused land in Thailand .Millions of Rai .What about selling some of that rather than asking for money?