SRT Advances Southern Rail Plans, Eyes 2026 Construction

The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) plans to submit three major double-track railway projects in the south for Cabinet consideration by December, targeting a 2026 bidding start. Anan Pho-nimdaeng, SRT deputy governor, stated on November 17 that these projects are advancing quickly under the second phase of the double-track rail development program. The routes include Chumphon to Surat Thani, Surat Thani to Hat Yai Junction to Songkhla, and Hat Yai Junction to Padang Besar, with route lengths of 168, 321, and 45 kilometers respectively.

Approved by the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) on August 26, these projects await Cabinet approval. This submission is expected by December 2025 or early 2026, assuming no additional issues arise. All routes will be included in a single package; however, the SRT plans to stagger the bids to prevent contractors from dividing projects, with a two-month interval between tenders.

The Surat Thani – Hat Yai – Songkhla line is the most complex due to encroachments on a previously decommissioned segment. Proposed solutions include elevated tracks, collaboration with the Community Organisations Development Institute, and conditional Notices to Proceed once land acquisition reaches 70-80% completion. The approach mirrors past successful strategies, such as the Hua Hin rail project.

If Cabinet approval occurs as planned, the SRT will spend five months drafting bidding documents and cost estimates, aiming for 2026 tenders. Meanwhile, other Phase 2 lines are under review and will be presented following the southern proposals, reported The Thaiger.

Key Takeaways

• SRT aims to start bidding in 2026 for three major southern routes.
• Complexities include land encroachment, especially on the Hat Yai to Songkhla line.
• Other Phase 2 routes are still under review for future submissions.

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  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-11-17