Thai-Chinese High-Speed Rail Project Faces 350-Day Delay

[snoop1130]

Pictures courtesy of Matichon

 

The Thai-Chinese high-speed railway project has encountered another setback, with a 350-day extension approved by the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) board due to rental buildings hindering construction. This delay moves the completion deadline to March 10, 2026, for the Bangkok to Nakhon Ratchasima stretch of the railway, affecting contract sections 3 to 5 of phase 1.

 

SRT chief Veerith Amrapal confirmed the extension after a board meeting, clarifying that no additional costs would be incurred by the Construction Supervision Consultant or Project Management Consultant. The delay primarily resulted from the SRT's failure to promptly clear the construction site of 60 obstructive rental buildings, which led to legal action against tenants. Following negotiations, the area was vacated by May 13 last year, allowing for site clearance and subsequent progress approval by the SRT board.

 

 

Considered a flagship endeavour to boost regional connectivity, phase 1 of the project covers 12.38 kilometres, from Khok Kruat to Nakhon Ratchasima. Yet, as of January, only 12.42% of civil works were completed, with SPTK Joint Venture Co., Ltd. overseeing construction at a budget of 7.75 billion baht.

 

Despite this being the latest in a series of delays, officials remain hopeful that site clearance will now streamline construction. However, persistent missed deadlines and bureaucratic challenges foster doubt regarding the high-speed rail's future completion and operational readiness, reported The Thaiger.

 

-- 2025-03-06

 

 

[JoePai]

This bunch could not arrange a p*** up in a brewery