The Board of the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has ordered a review of the Red Line electric train expansion project. This decision comes amid worries that changes in the project's design may affect the high-speed train line that connects Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi, and U-Tapao airports.

 

SRT Deputy Governor, Anan Phonimdang, expressed the board's concerns about moving a station on the 25.9-kilometer extension, as this could disrupt the high-speed train route from Bangkok to Rayong.

 

At the heart of the issue is the plan to relocate Ratchawithee Station from its original spot next to Ban Ratchawithee, to a new place near Ramathibodi Hospital. The proposed move would bring the Red Line extension closer to the high-speed rail network and would increase project costs by 400 million baht. This would bring the total cost to 44.15 billion baht, according to Anan.

 

He said, “The board wants more details about why the design is being changed and more information from the private company building the high-speed train system because the current information is not complete. The SRT must prove that moving the station is beneficial and that it won't affect the high-speed rail network. The board has asked for thorough documentation to avoid future issues.”

 

The board plans to review this situation next month. Anan also mentioned that it is not likely that the two systems will compete for passengers. The high-speed train does not stop in the Ratchawithee area, so passengers who want to switch to the electric train will have to get off at Phaya Thai station and change to the Red Line.

 

The Red Line electric train expansion project, which was approved by the Cabinet in July 2016, has seen little progress. The SRT is still working on the project design, and moving the station will require a new environmental impact assessment.

 

Asia Era One, a consortium led by CP Group, has the responsibility of building the high-speed airport link. This group secured a contract in 2018, amounting to 224.5 billion baht. However, the project has seen delays due to several factors, such as the impacts of Covid-19, leading to negotiations to alter some parts of the contract to ensure the project's completion.

 

File photo for reference only. Courtesy of Google

 

-- 2024-05-28

 

Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

7 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

the project's design may affect the high-speed train line that connects Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi, and U-Tapao airports.

Which high-speed train connects the three airports? I haven't heard about that one.

12 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

The SRT must prove that moving the station is beneficial and that it won't affect the high-speed rail network.

????......and that hasn't been done already????

This group secured a contract in 2018, amounting to 224.5 billion baht

 

And how much of this new line has been completed in the past 6 years ?

In developed countries, it is normal practice to publish detailed route maps for all of these new projects so that the public can comment before approval.

 

Thailand seems to have endless newspaper reports, with no proper detail about the plans.  

 

Then the routes that are constructed end up with enormous stations, in the wrong & long walks between them.     

 

In the case of the existing red line, it's so badly botched that it's still quicker to take the bus to the DMK International terminal.  
 

Not too difficult to find an actual pic of the redline rather than going for an AI chosen image of "Thai trains".

On 5/28/2024 at 2:27 PM, snoop1130 said:

 

The Board of the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has ordered a review of the Red Line electric train expansion project. This decision comes amid worries that changes in the project's design may affect the high-speed train line that connects Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi, and U-Tapao airports.

 

SRT Deputy Governor, Anan Phonimdang, expressed the board's concerns about moving a station on the 25.9-kilometer extension, as this could disrupt the high-speed train route from Bangkok to Rayong.

 

At the heart of the issue is the plan to relocate Ratchawithee Station from its original spot next to Ban Ratchawithee, to a new place near Ramathibodi Hospital. The proposed move would bring the Red Line extension closer to the high-speed rail network and would increase project costs by 400 million baht. This would bring the total cost to 44.15 billion baht, according to Anan.

 

He said, “The board wants more details about why the design is being changed and more information from the private company building the high-speed train system because the current information is not complete. The SRT must prove that moving the station is beneficial and that it won't affect the high-speed rail network. The board has asked for thorough documentation to avoid future issues.”

 

 

The board plans to review this situation next month. Anan also mentioned that it is not likely that the two systems will compete for passengers. The high-speed train does not stop in the Ratchawithee area, so passengers who want to switch to the electric train will have to get off at Phaya Thai station and change to the Red Line.

 

The Red Line electric train expansion project, which was approved by the Cabinet in July 2016, has seen little progress. The SRT is still working on the project design, and moving the station will require a new environmental impact assessment.

 

Asia Era One, a consortium led by CP Group, has the responsibility of building the high-speed airport link. This group secured a contract in 2018, amounting to 224.5 billion baht. However, the project has seen delays due to several factors, such as the impacts of Covid-19, leading to negotiations to alter some parts of the contract to ensure the project's completion.

 

File photo for reference only. Courtesy of Google

 

-- 2024-05-28

 

Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Any area with a station will see property price increases.

 

 

So, two largely non-existent lines won't compete for passengers.