Thailand sees potential as regional hub with future hi-speed train

BANGKOK, July 31 - Thailand has the potential to be South East Asia's most important economic hub when its future high-speed train is in place, due to the country's oceanic geography linking Laos and China through Singapore, a study conducted by the Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI) said.

TDRI Distinguished Fellow Chalongphob Sussangkarn on Tuesday spoke at a seminar in the capital on the institute’s research study on benefits deriving from Thailand's future high-speed train linking neighbouring countries and encouraging Thailand itself as the region's centre of economy and tourism.

According to TDRI's research, Thailand's high-speed construction will tend to help increase the country's trade with neighbouring nations via land transportation links.

Thailand's trade with Laos is expected to significantly rise, in particular at the Nong Khai border checkpoint, while the trade with southern China through Thailand's Chiang Saen border is estimated to be valued at over Bt30 billion in 2021, with transportation costs to decrease up to 20 per cent in this same year.

Tourism in the north and northeastern was expected to rise as a result of the high-speed train, Mr Chalongphob said.

However, TDRI advised the Thai government to conduct a long-term study of up to 30 years on the entire high-speed train system, particularly connecting routes from China to countries in the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), while noting that such routes will cover the logistics system of the Mekong Framework Collaboration and the ASEAN Economic Cooperation (AEC), which will greatly benefit trade.

As problems still occur on routes connecting China and Laos, both countries and Thailand should discuss investment and benefits to determine solutions.

The government should also study how the country's industrial sector can benefit from the high-speed train investment. For instance, as Thailand is an important manufacturing base for auto parts, the government should support the industry's foundations to add value to and make the most of the high-speed train.

The Thai government is to build four high-speed rail lines -- Bangkok-Chiang Mai at 745km (costing Bt229 billion), Bangkok-Nongkhai at 615km (Bt201 billion), Bangkok-Rayong at 221km (Bt72 billion), and Bangkok-Padang Besar at 982km (Bt297 billion). (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-07-31

Build the tracks , buy the train and let see what happen. No need to put the carriage before the horses. I have already seen so many hub project and none has never succeed. Fashion hub , Book hub , Airport Hub etc ...etc ...etc ....

You gotta be kidding me... By that time I'm gonna be an old grandpa already...

They might try finishing the Sky Train and elevated highway before they get to carried away,what an eye sore those unfinished columns are.

Edited July 31, 201213 yr by stoneyboy

The other thing is, do these idiots think that the average Thai person can afford that ride?

What about infrastructure problems? Floods?

Great idea, concept. Hopefully it will be better planned out than the new airport. Would "cost saving measures" be allowed in order for some relative to pocket some of the money?

I have already seen so many hub project and none has never succeed. Fashion hub , Book hub , Airport Hub etc ...etc ...etc ....

Exactly. Thailand's hub ambitions are all but a cliche, but I suppose it sounds good to the electorate.

Finally...the hub statement of the month, thought we were going to have a July without one.

Build the tracks , buy the train and let see what happen. No need to put the carriage before the horses. I have already seen so many hub project and none has never succeed. Fashion hub , Book hub , Airport Hub etc ...etc ...etc ....

also make sure the operators are not Thais. Thais don't care if they make mistakes, and if they do they say oh well is good enough

Build the tracks , buy the train and let see what happen. No need to put the carriage before the horses. I have already seen so many hub project and none has never succeed. Fashion hub , Book hub , Airport Hub etc ...etc ...etc ....

Hub of farts, sometime only noisy, sometimes stinking.

According to TDRI's research, Thailand's high-speed construction will tend to help increase the country's trade with neighbouring nations via land transportation links.

IMHO a reliable rail link for freight would be good and might be economically feasible. I do have my doubts on (high speed) passenger transportation only though.

Another hubba from Bubba. How many hubs does Thailand already have. They need tolist them and then start working on one at a time.

Cheap & Dangerous Chinese high speed railway infrastructure plus corrupt management a given.

This capricious scam will not end well.

Another hubba from Bubba. How many hubs does Thailand already have. They need tolist them and then start working on one at a time.

You are going to have to explain the word work to them.

^ #12 Lifer:

Thailand, the hub of forgotten hubs ?

Is it that time of the month again?? Another HUB?? When will they ever STOP using the word HUB??

This "HUB" ting starting to be very........... I am out of words, please feel free to fill in.

According to TDRI's research, Thailand's high-speed construction will tend to help increase the country's trade with neighbouring nations via land transportation links.

IMHO a reliable rail link for freight would be good and might be economically feasible. I do have my doubts on (high speed) passenger transportation only though.

Agreed. I said it before. Thailand and high speed=disaster.

Typicaly negative TV responses.

A high speed train will be running in Thailand in the near future and it will continue Thailands status as a hub of the region.

Whats so dificult to comprehend?

To quote The Shawshank Redemption "Are you being deliberately obtuse?"

Yeah but all the other countries drive on the other side.

Sarcasm

Typicaly negative TV responses.

A high speed train will be running in Thailand in the near future and it will continue Thailands status as a hub of the region.

Whats so dificult to comprehend?

To quote The Shawshank Redemption "Are you being deliberately obtuse?"

You are kidding, right?

"due to the country's oceanic geography linking Laos and China through Singapore"

If that's the kind of reasoning behind this project, god help us

Edited July 31, 201213 yr by metisdead

As some poster mentioned, we'll have the high-speed link in the near future:

2013, 2014, 2015, 2018, ..., ...

Thailand the hubris capitol.

Typicaly negative TV responses.

A high speed train will be running in Thailand in the near future and it will continue Thailands status as a hub of the region.

Whats so dificult to comprehend?

In the near future?

Let me put things into perspective. They started planning a 2nd international airport in 1960!!!!!

In 1968 they said the project was "five to seven years" behind schedule.

Construction of Suvarnabhumi Airport started in 2002. It officially opened in 2006, and was riddled with problems. Just a few days ago they said they will outgrow it within the next 4 years.

We'll will be lucky to have a high speed train in Thailand within the next 10 years. Maybe a lot longer. They are just in the "sees potential" stage, which means they are not even planning it yet.

You gotta be kidding me... By that time I'm gonna be an old grandpa already...

So will your children.

This link has info on the Southern bound high-speed link. Latest info 2003-07-31, only nine years ago:

"High-Speed Rail Plans"

http://2bangkok.com/...peed-Rail-Plans

From around November 2010

"A high-speed train project, a planned joint investment project between Thailand and China, which will link between the Thai capital and Nong Khai province bordering Laos is expected to be completed in late 2015, said Supoj Saplom, permanent secretary for Thai Transport Ministry."

http://boardreader.c...7aaodX90rk.html

A bit more recent

2012-07-23

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

http://www.thaivisa....delay-thailand/

Typicaly negative TV responses.

A high speed train will be running in Thailand in the near future and it will continue Thailands status as a hub of the region.

Whats so dificult to comprehend?

In the near future?

Let me put things into perspective. They started planning a 2nd international airport in 1960!!!!!

In 1968 they said the project was "five to seven years" behind schedule.

Construction of Suvarnabhumi Airport started in 2002. It officially opened in 2006, and was riddled with problems. Just a few days ago they said they will outgrow it within the next 4 years.

We'll will be lucky to have a high speed train in Thailand within the next 10 years. Maybe a lot longer. They are just in the "sees potential" stage, which means they are not even planning it yet.

while you are talking about putting things into perspective. In 1677 a plan was drawn up to build a canal linking the Indian ocean and the Gulf of Thailand, that project is still on the books. or the alternative to that, the "Land Bridge" proposed, around year 1900. I also believe a populous project of the PTT.

The reason these project have not been completed? Cost to much and way to technically difficult.

It may be negative but I dont see high speed rail in Thailand. Reason # 1- it cost to much... reason #2-technically, very difficult project.

Edited July 31, 201213 yr by dcutman

In 1677 a plan was drawn up to build a canal linking the Indian ocean and the Gulf of Thailand, that project is still on the books. or the alternative to that, the "Land Bridge" proposed, around year 1900.

They are only over 100 years behind schedule.

Perhaps Yingluck could give the task to Chalerm and we'd see all of these grand plans come to fruition later this year.

In 1677 a plan was drawn up to build a canal linking the Indian ocean and the Gulf of Thailand, that project is still on the books. or the alternative to that, the "Land Bridge" proposed, around year 1900.

They are only over 100 years behind schedule.

Perhaps Yingluck could give the task to Chalerm and we'd see all of these grand plans come to fruition later this year.

Well if Chalerm is put in charge it will be done in 90 days. But he already has a lot on his plate.

Edited July 31, 201213 yr by dcutman