Transport Minister Orders Thorough Check of Thai-Chinese High-Speed Rail

[snoop1130]

File photo for reference only

 

Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit has mandated a comprehensive review of the Thai-Chinese high-speed train project, specifically scrutinising construction practices and materials to ensure they adhere to international standards. This directive comes amid rising concerns about the project's quality, rooted in recent construction issues with the State Audit Office building, handled by the same contractors.

 

Focusing on the first 250.77 km phase from Bangkok to Nakhon Ratchasima, the inspection revolves around 14 civil engineering contracts already in progress since Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha's administration commenced construction. The joint venture responsible includes Italian-Thai Development (ITD) and China Railway No 10 Engineering Group (Thailand).

 

 

 

Minister Suriya has emphasised the importance of rigorous checks, instructing SRT Governor Veeris Ammarapala to oversee the thorough examination. The inspection aims to cover all project stages, starting with specifications, ensuring the railway's safety and structural integrity before its eventual operation.

 

These measures reflect the government's commitment to maintaining high standards in infrastructure development, reassuring public confidence in the significant transportation project. As the scrutiny unfolds, safety remains the primary goal, ensuring the high-speed rail meets all expectations, reported The Thaiger.

 

-- 2025-04-02

 

 

[Crossy]

What nobody has realised yet, is that the model in the photo is what they are getting

[Crossy]

Remember this?

 

I bought one for our boss at BTS, he was over the moon, his young son was equally delighted 🙂 

 

[KireB]

The real problem is that those inspecting are corrupted as well (most likely).

[johng]

29 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

Focusing on the first 250.77 km phase from Bangkok to Nakhon Ratchasima

How much of that has actually been built ?

[johng]

5 minutes ago, Crossy said:

bought one for our boss at BTS, he was over the moon, his young son was equall

Hope you got one for yourself too

probly will become a collectors item

must keep the box though.

[Crossy]

8 minutes ago, johng said:

Hope you got one for yourself too

probly will become a collectors item

must keep the box though.

 

Of course.

 

It still has the factory seals!

[connda]

21 minutes ago, Crossy said:

What nobody has realised yet, is that the model in the photo is what they are getting

Only ฿341 Billion THB and this beauty can be yours - today!!!
 

[dinsdale]

52 minutes ago, johng said:

How much of that has actually been built ?

Saraburi station. One has to wonder.

[John Drake]

The horse has already bolted from the barn, and the train is off the track.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

2 hours ago, Crossy said:

What nobody has realised yet, is that the model in the photo is what they are getting

 

Crossy, maybe your memory and knowledge on this is better than mine...

 

But I seem to recall, the SRT's ARL rail line some years back having operational problems because of substandard steel track elements having been used.  And the SRT then having to curtail service for some periods of time while they replaced the original tracking???

 

"Though funding for this work was made available back in 2012 the tender has not been done as one of the problems with the line is that cheap chinese steel (a corruption issue) was used and there has been major problems with track deterioration especially at turn outs - which resulted in speed restrictions a year ago. The whole track will need to be replaced in the next few years."

 

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g293916-i3687-k7360486-Airport_Rail_Link_express_Phaya_Thai_line_maintenance_work-Bangkok.html

 

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/1181893/airport-link-boss-hits-back-over-safety

 

Not an inspiring track record of rail transit when the Thai government is the operator:

 

Airport Rail Link a model of failure

 

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2014

 

"...from the time the Thaksin administration signed the first contracts in 2005 to its official opening in 2014, no one seems to have had any sensible plans for this infrastructure project. Surprisingly, maintenance and safety requirements were not a priority of the existing plan, which also fails to encompass the financial losses.

Everyone behind the project should be held accountable for these failures. They must have known about the running limit of the trains, and that the delivery of spare parts from its maker, Siemens, takes seven or eight months. Such simple facts should not escape capable managers. But, instead, the ARL board’s mishandling of the situation threatens to cause not only safety concerns but also severe inconvenience."

 

https://www.nationthailand.com/perspective/30243536

 

 

 

[NoDisplayName]

2 hours ago, johng said:

How much of that has actually been built ?

 

Korat section already up and running!

 

[Negita43]

4 minutes ago, NoDisplayName said:

Korat section already up and running!

Not for me - no dining car

[NoDisplayName]

1 minute ago, Negita43 said:

Not for me - no dining car

 

It's carry on.

 

The station is conveniently located inside a food court!

[jippytum]

Always pro active after a tradgedy. Worried officials scared they may have to return their bung. 

[J Branche]

I do wonder about the tracks still being within the precise specifications for the train to operate at "High Speed"

 

It would not look favorable if they have to put reduced speed limits on sections of the track because they are not within the specifications for "High Speed" travel.

[harryviking]

One thing is certain....I will never be on a fast train rail made by Chinese!! No way!!😆

[hughrection]

17 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

mandated a comprehensive review of the Thai-Chinese high-speed train project

Can we assume that it wasn't being reviewed up until the point of the building collapse?  🙂

[Purdey]

What do you do when the Rama II elevated highway had bits fall off it, but the same contractor continues to work on it. Then the Audit building collapses but in-depth investigations are ordered for another project run by the same contractor.

[VocalNeal]

On 4/2/2025 at 5:57 PM, johng said:

How much of that has actually been built ?

 Near Phan in Chiang Rai a few of the BTS -like concrete track supports succumbed to the earthquake. 

Like these. 

 

 

 

One poor guy parked his pickup in the shade and...

 

A real locomotive weighs probably the same as a whole BTS train so I hope the calcs. are correct. On highway 1 north of Ngau there are many spans across the road. Might be like playing Rama 2 roulette.

 

[kickstart]

On 4/2/2025 at 6:51 PM, dinsdale said:

Saraburi station. One has to wonder.

I know Saraburi well, the new station must be way out of town, they are no big lakes in the middle of Saraburi, just the Chow Phraya river, would you build a new railway station mile from the main town center?, is this a photo shop job?.

[Sierra Tango]

On 4/2/2025 at 6:51 PM, dinsdale said:

Saraburi station. One has to wonder.

Not sure what you are wondering about dear ol' Dinsdale but my ultimate (above and beyond the steel and cement qualities of course) concern would be the unmitigated danger of building the station in an historic flood zone.