Work On High-Speed Rail Project Faces Two-Year Delay: Thailand

[webfact]

Work on high-speed rail project faces two-year delay

WATCHARAPONG THONGRUNG

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- "Undertaking an environment impact assessment together with a public hearing might take as long as two years after the feasibility study for a project is completed," Chula Sukmanop, inspector-general of the Transport Ministry and acting director of the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP), said last week.

For the Bangkok-Chiang Mai high-speed train route, the OTP has received the result of the project's feasibility study from Japan, he said.

However, for the Bangkok-Chiang Mai and Bangkok-Nong Khai lines, the OTP is still waiting for the feasibility study supported by China, which has sent its staff to research the proposed routes.

"The study is expected to be completed next month," he said.

The feasibility studies are based on each country's technology and competence. This would help the OTP because it could compare the good points and shortcomings of the studies conducted by China and Japan as well as its own study.

The OTP is preparing to hire a consulting company by September to conduct a study on three more routes - Bangkok-Chiang Mai, Bangkok-Nakhon Ratchasima and Bangkok-Hua Hin - as well as other possible routes linking to neighbouring countries. The budget for the study was about Bt600 million. It is expected to take more than 12 months.

As the state agency that gathers all project feasibility studies, OTP would then propose a variety of project models to the Transport Ministry to consider.

The government would make the final decision on which investment model to use, for example, loans, joint ventures or concessions.

Initially, each railway project is estimated to cost about Bt200 billion to build. Both China and Japan are ready to offer Thailand financial support, but the government has not officially given the nod to whom it would join hands with, he added.

The high-speed trains as planned will run on standard gauge, or 1.435-metre wide, tracks. The routes will be dual-track, with some sections elevated over cities and road crossings and some passing through tunnels in the mountains.

-- The Nation 2012-07-23

[RickBradford]

Government minister goes to fortune teller and asks: "When will the high-speed rail line be finished?"

The fortune teller squints into her crystal ball for a moment, then says: "Sorry, I can't see that far ahead."

[MaiChai]

As its generally 'Safety last ' in Thailand, it will be interesting to see how high speed trains are implemented here without any mishaps?

Or maybe the feasibility study will conclude that Thailand is not suitable for high speed trains because of 'culturaly a low regard to safety '?

[maidu]

If their 'feasibility study' results are anything like the feasibility study that EGAT procured for nuclear power plants, then no problem. EGAT paid $170 million to an American engineering company which specializes in nuclear power plant construction, and (surprise!) got a glowing one page report saying, essentially; 'Nuclear is fine for Thailand. No problem. All is go go go - full steam ahead!"

Edited July 23, 2012 by maidu

[Soupdragon]

The feasibility studies are based on each country's technology and competence.

How fast is a rubber band powered train going to be ????

[draftvader]

As a Brit I am saddened today. Finally we have been beaten at our own game and quite soundly too. Getting in the delays before the train has even been built. We've got to go back to the drawing board (but can't because there are leaves in the way).

[Thai at Heart]

I recommend that they make the safety so tight that they can't get to the point where the driver can simply over ride brakes as they managed to on the BTS.

[virtualtraveller]

One economic feasibility study has already concluded that the Bangkok Chiang Mai route wouldn't have a big enough demand to repay the investment, but that doesn't figure in the math if it's the prime minister's home town.

[Moruya]

I am no fortune teller but I can foresee lots of atomised noodle carts and obliterated pickups along the way.

If they can pull it off it will make a big difference to tourism. If they can link through to China, Vietnam and Malaysia then it could change the face of travel.

[Reasonableman]

I am no fortune teller but I can foresee lots of atomised noodle carts and obliterated pickups along the way.

If they can pull it off it will make a big difference to tourism. If they can link through to China, Vietnam and Malaysia then it could change the face of travel.

Yes, it might. But instead of grooming the show pony, howzabout some oats and shoes for the draughthorse. A far better long-term investment for the nation would be functioning commuter and heavy transport systems. Hi-speed rail, given the parlous state of the nation's other transport systems, is a huge and unnecessary expense for the benefit of a few, and for image over substance, imho.

[chotthee]

Government minister goes to fortune teller and asks: "When will the high-speed rail line be finished?"

The fortune teller squints into her crystal ball for a moment, then says: "Sorry, I can't see that far ahead."

Government minister goes to fortune teller and asks: "When will the high-speed rail line be STARTING?"

The fortune teller squints into her crystal ball for a moment, then says: "Sorry, I can't see that far ahead."

[Buchholz]

BANGKOK: -- "Undertaking an environment impact assessment together with a public hearing might take as long as two years after the feasibility study for a project is completed," Chula Sukmanop, Inspector-General of the Transport Ministry

Did Chula check with his boss first?

Did his boss include this two year delay in his bold prediction?

BANGKOK, 22 May 2012 (NNT) The Transport Minister has expressed confidence that the first high speed railway connecting Bangkok and Chiang Mai will be ready for service by 2018.

.

[OzMick]

AirAsia CNX-BKK for around B2000 (slightly more or less depending on flight) and around 1.25 hrs.

Any guesstimate on High-Speed Rail fares and travel time? If the same fare as AA, will take 300,000 passenger trips to GROSS the cost of the feasibility study.

[Skywalker69]

As its generally 'Safety last ' in Thailand, it will be interesting to see how high speed trains are implemented here without any mishaps?

Or maybe the feasibility study will conclude that Thailand is not suitable for high speed trains because of 'culturaly a low regard to safety '?

Thailand and high speed=disaster

[ginjag]

BANGKOK: -- "Undertaking an environment impact assessment together with a public hearing might take as long as two years after the feasibility study for a project is completed," Chula Sukmanop, Inspector-General of the Transport Ministry

Did Chula check with his boss first?

Did his boss include this two year delay in his bold prediction?

BANGKOK, 22 May 2012 (NNT) The Transport Minister has expressed confidence that the first high speed railway connecting Bangkok and Chiang Mai will be ready for service by 2018.

.

Transport minister wants some TRAINing, he is off the RAILS and deserves a hundred LINES-he must be LOCO.

Maybe theres been too much STATIONary putting him OFFTRACK it's been a long drawn out job, with too many SLEEPERS involved, So in two years they will get some STEAM up --POINTS made ???

[Notstupid30]

What time the next train leaving if you dont mind me asking ? Well in two years maybe ? Amazing Thailand TITS UP

[alant]

What is high speed? I do wonder if we are taking speed or simply a more direct route. I suspect that changing the gauge and upgrading the track/rolling-stock on the current line could half the time of the Chiangmai <> Bangkok journey.

[sunshinegirl]

I for one would never ever contemplate using a high speed train in Thailand. My life is to precious.

[Skywalker69]

BANGKOK: -- "Undertaking an environment impact assessment together with a public hearing might take as long as two years after the feasibility study for a project is completed," Chula Sukmanop, Inspector-General of the Transport Ministry

Did Chula check with his boss first?

Did his boss include this two year delay in his bold prediction?

BANGKOK, 22 May 2012 (NNT) The Transport Minister has expressed confidence that the first high speed railway connecting Bangkok and Chiang Mai will be ready for service by 2018.

.

Transport minister wants some TRAINing, he is off the RAILS and deserves a hundred LINES-he must be LOCO.

Maybe theres been too much STATIONary putting him OFFTRACK it's been a long drawn out job, with too many SLEEPERS involved, So in two years they will get some STEAM up --POINTS made ???

[candid]

Just a few weeks ago it was proudly proclaimed that the line would be running by 2018. I assume they took th fesibility study, the viability study and the environmental impact study into their calculations. Maybe not?

[Lakegeneve]

What is high speed? I do wonder if we are taking speed or simply a more direct route. I suspect that changing the gauge and upgrading the track/rolling-stock on the current line could half the time of the Chiangmai <> Bangkok journey.

That is being progressively done but will take many years, see the map and table I posted here,http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/556919-bangkok-chiang-mai-high-speed-rail-ready-by-2018-transport-ministry/page__st__225#entry5495519

High speed in this context is going to be around the 220-250 km/h range.

[OzMick]

B600 million would be better spent expediting the double-tracking of existing lines, which WILL increase the speed of the affordable rail service we now have.

[Reasonableman]

B600 million would be better spent expediting the double-tracking of existing lines, which WILL increase the speed of the affordable rail service we now have.

And new rolling stock, FGS. Has any been purchased in the past 20 years?

[AjarnMartin]

BANGKOK: -- "Undertaking an environment impact assessment together with a public hearing might take as long as two years after the feasibility study for a project is completed," Chula Sukmanop, Inspector-General of the Transport Ministry

Did Chula check with his boss first?

Did his boss include this two year delay in his bold prediction?

BANGKOK, 22 May 2012 (NNT) The Transport Minister has expressed confidence that the first high speed railway connecting Bangkok and Chiang Mai will be ready for service by 2018.

.

Transport minister wants some TRAINing, he is off the RAILS and deserves a hundred LINES-he must be LOCO.

Maybe theres been too much STATIONary putting him OFFTRACK it's been a long drawn out job, with too many SLEEPERS involved, So in two years they will get some STEAM up --POINTS made ???

Did you mean 'stationAry'? Pretty good since it means: 'at a standstill' :-) If you meant 'stationEry' (writing paper, envelopes, etc) they're probably already knee-deep in it.

[rotary]

Maybe this is an "easy" way to back out of the project as the govt knows, as another poster said, the project will never pay for its self.

[Sydebolle]

Thailand = world's railway hub then!

[Arkady]

No mention of who is going to operate the high speed network if it is ever built. SRT is a seething bed of corruption that has annual pension and healthcare liabilities that outstrip its revenue. It owns masses of land that is let out on long leases for virtually no income to SRT itself. Examples include Central Lard Prao, The Centara Hotel Hua Hin, Hua Hin Railway Golf Course. The gross return on this prime land is less then 2% based on its undervalued book value. Is it worth borrowing billions to build a high speed rail network and then handing it over to this leaky organisation to manage?

[planr]

No mention of who is going to operate the high speed network if it is ever built. SRT is a seething bed of corruption that has annual pension and healthcare liabilities that outstrip its revenue. It owns masses of land that is let out on long leases for virtually no income to SRT itself. Examples include Central Lard Prao, The Centara Hotel Hua Hin, Hua Hin Railway Golf Course. The gross return on this prime land is less then 2% based on its undervalued book value. Is it worth borrowing billions to build a high speed rail network and then handing it over to this leaky organisation to manage?

Word on the street is that a new organization will be set up under the Ministry of Transport (not under SRT)... something like a High Speed Rail Authority. It's not clear if this will be a planning / implementing agency like the MRTA where operations are left up to the private sector, or some other alternative.

B600 million would be better spent expediting the double-tracking of existing lines, which WILL increase the speed of the affordable rail service we now have.

The SRT is actively double-tracking parts of the national network at present and has plans to continue doing so for the next 15 years or so other three project phases.

Just a few weeks ago it was proudly proclaimed that the line would be running by 2018. I assume they took th fesibility study, the viability study and the environmental impact study into their calculations. Maybe not?

The date of revenue operation commencing in the Japanese study this article mentions is 2022. Regardless, building in extra time for an EIA and public consultation is probably a very good thing.

One economic feasibility study has already concluded that the Bangkok Chiang Mai route wouldn't have a big enough demand to repay the investment, but that doesn't figure in the math if it's the prime minister's home town.

It doesn't need to pay for itself to be deemed a worthwhile investment. If that were the criteria for building transport infrastructure, much of the world and indeed Thailand would be without many of the things we now take for granted.

[belg]

have to figure out who gets what of the graft money, that process can take long, so many new benzes to order and villa's to be build on that one

[OzMick]

B600 million would be better spent expediting the double-tracking of existing lines, which WILL increase the speed of the affordable rail service we now have.

The SRT is actively double-tracking parts of the national network at present and has plans to continue doing so for the next 15 years or so other three project phases.

expediting: tr.v. ex·pe·dit·ed, ex·pe·dit·ing, ex·pe·dites. 1. To speed up the progress of; accelerate.