Thailand-China high-speed rail project faces delays

[webfact]

The project, which spans 250.77 km from Bangkok to Nakhon Ratchasima and involves an investment of 179.4 billion baht, has seen some delays, particularly in two remaining contracts.

BANGKOK, Thailand – Deputy Transport Minister, Surapong Piyachote, has announced progress in addressing the delays in the Thailand-China high-speed rail project. He is set to discuss the issue with Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, with plans to sign the construction contract for the Ayutthaya section by October 2024.

 

The project, which spans 250.77 km from Bangkok to Nakhon Ratchasima and involves an investment of 179.4 billion baht, has seen some delays, particularly in two remaining contracts.

 

One of the key challenges is the impact on the Ayutthaya UNESCO World Heritage site. The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has completed the Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) report and submitted it to UNESCO, addressing concerns by adjusting the construction plans, including reducing the height of structures from 19 meters to 17 meters.

The route itself remains 1.5 km away from the heritage site, separated by the Pa Sak River, and any decision by UNESCO will not affect the project’s continuation.

 

Two remaining contracts, covering the Ban Pho-Phra Kaew section (13.3 km) and the Bang Sue-Don Mueang section (15.2 km), are expected to move forward. Adjustments have been made to align with other projects, such as the high-speed rail connecting Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi, and U-Tapao airports.

 

By Pattaya Mail

 

Full story: PATTAYA MAIL 

-- 2024-09-10

 

 

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[Tropicalevo]

It is sad when the best that the government's PR people can come up with is -

 

13 minutes ago, webfact said:

has announced progress in addressing the delays

 

Whoopity woo.

[JoePai]

And I thought the UK was incompetent with HS2, they have nothing to this cluster *****

[wozzlegummich]

I just turned 65. What chance I'll be riding this from Korat to Bang Sue by the time I'm 70?

[hotchilli]

3 hours ago, Tropicalevo said:

It is sad when the best that the government's PR people can come up with is -

 

 

Whoopity woo.

Soon he'll have to report every month on the delays.... that'll be embarrassing.

[spidermike007]

Thailand desperately needs high speed transit and alternatives to the ridiculously choked highways. They also need an alternative for the transport of cargo, which they have been ignoring for 70 plus years now.

 

I think taking China up on their offer of financing the entire project would be a great idea. Build multiple lines all over the country, super high tech, super high speed, let China pay for it, and let China build it, if necessary, and then the construction will be quick. None of the incredible nonsense like Rama 2 which is at least 15 years behind schedule.

 

The billions in debt is not an issue, as nearly all countries on the Belt and Road initiative are defaulting on their loans.

 

So it just helps to make China broke, which is a great thing. 

 

 

[Caldera]

Oh look, more delays. Meanwhile Laos has had its high-speed railway up and running for what, a couple of years now?

[Artisi]

3 hours ago, wozzlegummich said:

I just turned 65. What chance I'll be riding this from Korat to Bang Sue by the time I'm 70?

Bugger-all. 

 

48 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

Thailand desperately needs high speed transit and alternatives to the ridiculously choked highways. They also need an alternative for the transport of cargo, which they have been ignoring for 70 plus years now.

 

I think taking China up on their offer of financing the entire project would be a great idea. Build multiple lines all over the country, super high tech, super high speed, let China pay for it, and let China build it, if necessary, and then the construction will be quick. None of the incredible nonsense like Rama 2 which is at least 15 years behind schedule.

 

The billions in debt is not an issue, as nearly all countries on the Belt and Road initiative are defaulting on their loans.

 

So it just helps to make China broke, which is a great thing. 

 

 

Great idea, unfortunately no graft for those that matter. 

[john donson]

delays = fines to be paid, or is it bribes?

[TheFishman1]

In the brown envelopes will keep coming TT

[alex8912]

8 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

Thailand desperately needs high speed transit and alternatives to the ridiculously choked highways. They also need an alternative for the transport of cargo, which they have been ignoring for 70 plus years now.

 

I think taking China up on their offer of financing the entire project would be a great idea. Build multiple lines all over the country, super high tech, super high speed, let China pay for it, and let China build it, if necessary, and then the construction will be quick. None of the incredible nonsense like Rama 2 which is at least 15 years behind schedule.

 

The billions in debt is not an issue, as nearly all countries on the Belt and Road initiative are defaulting on their loans.

 

So it just helps to make China broke, which is a great thing. 

 

 

Your idea is very flawed . You are letting Thailand MAINTAIN it!

[NoDisplayName]

13 hours ago, webfact said:

The project, which spans 250.77 km from Bangkok to Nakhon Ratchasima and involves an investment of 179.4 billion baht,

 

That's about the same cost as the entire Boten-Vientienne line, nearly double the distance, with much of the line via bridge or tunnel, completed within five years.

 

Laotians must be some backwards people not to have discovered the power of the brown envelope yet.

[NoDisplayName]

9 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

Thailand desperately needs high speed transit

 

Not really.  They'd be fine with a standard dual-line modern railway network running at medium speed with guarded crossings.

[MarkBR]

4 hours ago, TheFishman1 said:

In the brown envelopes will keep coming TT

They are red envelopes (hong bao) in the Chinese world.

[Fortean1]

I believe the Chinese are looking for concessions along the train routes.  Land near the railroad tracks would have Chinese owned hotels, restaurants, and more.  We do not know all the details of these contracts.

[newnative]

     This is not news.  We've had this same story periodically for years.  News is reporting something new; hence, the word 'news'.   Something new would be reporting that the high speed rail project is on schedule or, dare I say it, ahead of schedule.  Odds of those two news stories are slim and none.