Thailand Seeks 80 Million Baht for New Railway Feasibility Study

[snoop1130]

File photo for reference only

 

The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) is pressing for an 80-million-baht budget to explore the feasibility of a new double-track railway, linking Hat Yai in Songkhla to Sungai Kolok in Narathiwat. This ambitious 34.59 billion baht initiative aligns with Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra's policy to boost railway efficiency, improve connections to neighbouring countries, and stimulate border trade, tourism, and economic upliftment in the south.

 

Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit announced the feasibility study, expected to take a year, finishing in 2026. The subsequent design phase will span 2026-2027, followed by an environmental impact assessment from 2027-2028. Construction is slated to begin in 2029, with operations starting in 2034.

 

 

Covering 216 kilometres, the new line will feature 27 stations, eight train stops, and two freight yards, enhancing connectivity from Bangkok to Sungai Kolok on the Thai-Malaysian border. Though Thailand’s railway bridge is upgraded, the Malaysian side, from Rantau Panjang to Pasir Mas, has been idle since 2005.

 

In addition, six more double-track railway projects, collectively valued at 280 billion baht, await approval from the National Economic and Social Development Council before moving to Cabinet review.

 

-- 2025-02-04

 

 

[Purdey]

Many years ago, I helped edit a government book called Thailand into the 90s, wherein we were told dual track railway was coming to Thailand "soon". 

I guess time is a bit wibbly wobbly for Thailand.

[sherwood]

Not sure 80 million will cover it 555