The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) is advancing with plans to construct three double-track railroad routes that will span a total of 634 kilometres.

 

The project, which will require a combined investment of 113.14 billion baht, has been approved by the SRT board and is due to be submitted to the Transport Ministry later this month.

 

SRT governor Nirut Maneepan announced the three projected routes, which form part of the second phase of the double-track rail network. These include the 281-kilometre Pak Nam Pho-Denchai route, with an estimated cost of 81.14 billion baht, the 308-kilometre Jira Junction-Ubon Ratchathani route (44.1 billion baht), and the 45-kilometre Hat Yai-Padang Besar route, costing 7.9 billion baht.

Nirut confirmed that the environmental impact assessment (EIA) reports, crucial for the construction works, have been approved by the National Environment Board. These projects can be launched as soon as they receive Cabinet approval. The EIA reports, cleared a few years prior, remain valid and are yet to expire.

The Pak Nam Pho-Denchai route, as detailed by the SRT governor, will consist of a 235-kilometre ground level section, a 40-kilometre elevated section, and a 5.22-kilometre tunnel. It will include 36 stations and three container yards (CY), with approximately 1,089 rai of land set to be expropriated for construction.

 

The Jira Junction-Ubon Ratchathani route will feature a 292.6-kilometre ground level section and three elevated sections covering 15 kilometres, with a total of 35 stations. Infrastructure such as overpasses, underpasses, and wildlife crossings will be introduced to minimize disruption to local communities, with about 43 rai of land to be expropriated for the project.

The Hat Yai-Padang Besar route will include a 44.5-kilometre ground level section and two elevated sections spanning 4.6 kilometres, with a total of three stations. About 21 rai of land will be expropriated for this project, reported Bangkok Post.

 

According to Nirut, the second phase project will comprise seven routes in total. The first of these, the 167-kilometre Khon Kaen-Nong Khai route, has already been approved by the Cabinet and cost 29.74 billion baht. The drafting of the terms of reference (ToR) is expected to be completed next month. The remaining projects, worth 149.59 billion baht, include the 168-kilometre Chumphon-Surat Thani route, the 324-kilometre Surat Thani-Hat Yai-Songkhla route, and the 189-kilometre Denchai-Chiang Mai route.

 

by Mitch Connor 

Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

Full story: The Thaiger 2024-02-24

 

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

 

Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

 

waaw what a progression 600 km 3 track railway.. It is about time since the 19th century nothing has been done at the railways anymore. Except the high speed line but that is endless building it seems 

1 hour ago, webfact said:

The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) is advancing with plans

 

1 hour ago, webfact said:

will require a combined investment

 

1 hour ago, webfact said:

due to be submitted

 

1 hour ago, webfact said:

announced the three projected routes

 

Hub of pending potential intended projected announcements.

IMO great news. When complete, these widenings of the existing metre gauge (narrow) system should improve services. Whatever China wants, the through HST service from Bangkok to China via Laos, will be a very long time coming. At least this will keep the importation of cheap Chinese junk into Thailand restricted!