Thailand Plans To Run Chinese High-Speed Railway System

[webfact]

Thailand Plans To Run Chinese High-speed Railway System

BANGKOK, Dec 8 (Bernama) -- Thailand is planning to run Chinese-made high-speed railway systems designed to have time-saving, inexpensive trains for long-distance commuters shuttling between Bangkok and the northern city of Chiang Mai and between the capital and northeastern province of Nong Khai.

Thai Transport Minister Chatchat Sitthipan said the Thai government has decided to go ahead with the multi-billion-U.S. dollar railway projects under which the so-called Hexie Hao or China Railway Highspeed train system will be used, Xinhua news agency reported.

Construction of the initial stage of the railway project for the Bangkok-Chiang Mai route is scheduled to begin by the middle or second half of next year. The railway project for both routes will be completed until 2015.

Feasibility studies for the train projects have been conducted and China has offered to transfer its railway technology to Thai engineers.

China's Deputy Railway Minister Lu Chunfang has met with Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to discuss the Sino-Thai railway cooperation project for the Bangkok-Chiang Mai route estimated at US$10 billion and the Bangkok-Nong Khai route which costs US$6.6 billion.

Chatchat said commuters will spend only three and a half hours shuttling between Bangkok and Chiang Mai aboard the high-speed train, compared to a dozen hours currently consumed by a "rapid" train of the State Railway of Thailand.

"The high-speed train between Bangkok and Chiang Mai will run 250 to 300 kilometres per hour through terrains and tunnels in the mountains, particularly those in Uttaradit province, to save traveling time for daily commuters. That route will be shortened from 753 km to 680 km," said Chatchat.

"The 615-km Bangkok-Nong Khai route will consume no more than three hours on a similar high-speed train," he said.

A start-up stretch of the Bangkok-Chiang Mai route has been designed to cover a 342-km distance between Bangkok and Pitsanuloak province, lying roughly halfway between the capital and the northern city.

Bang Sue train station in the capital will be upgraded to become a hub for the high-speed train systems.

The Chiang Mai railway may be connected with China's southwest city of Kunming and the Nong Khai railway with a railway system in Lao's capital Vientiane.

The Thai railway system will also be connected with those in Myanmar and Malaysia.

Source: http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v6/newsworld.php?id=714863

-- BERNAMA 2012-12-08

[laurentbkk]

well we know how safe is this Chinese fast train ... not sure I will ever take it to go to chiang mai ..I never trusted Chinese technology, specially when its based on copying European technology. China have faced so many accident with their made in china train ..... well if that what Thailand want .....have fun with spare parts and all the rest .

[ratcatcher]

Construction of the initial stage of the railway project for the Bangkok-Chiang Mai route is scheduled to begin by the middle or second half of next year. The railway project for both routes will be completed until 2015.

Not sure what the last few words mean, but this is not a 2 year project.

Completely replacing the railway lines and building high speed tracks between the capital and the two northern cities is surely more like a 10 year project?

Perhaps someone with engineering knowledge might add something to this fantasy.

"Bang Sue train station in the capital will be upgraded to become a hub for the high-speed train systems"

It will be nice for Thailand to have a transportation hub. Something original.

Edited December 8, 2012 by ratcatcher

[Thai at Heart]

They are building a massive new Chinese consulate up country in Isaan to administer visas into China.

[BookMan]

I really like the idea of high speed rail services but I think this is one project that is going to go off the rails in very short time.

[Asiantravel]

well we know how safe is this Chinese fast train ... not sure I will ever take it to go to chiang mai ..I never trusted Chinese technology, specially when its based on copying European technology. China have faced so many accident with their made in china train ..... well if that what Thailand want .....have fun with spare parts and all the rest .

i took it between Ningbo and Shanghai last December and it was incredible. Very smooth and fast

and even a first class ticket was very cheap compared to a similar standard in Europe such as

the Eurostar.

[Lancelot]

I would welcome high speed rail, my last trip from Chiang Mai to BKK was about 14 hours on the "Express" train

[Pimay1]

China's Deputy Railway Minister Lu Chunfang has met with Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to discuss the Sino-Thai railway cooperation project for the Bangkok-Chiang Mai route estimated at US$10 billion and the Bangkok-Nong Khai route which costs US$6.6 billion.

In February, Railways Minister Liu Zhijun was dismissed from his post amid allegations that he'd received kickbacks of at least $122 million

Have no fear my fine feathered friends our PM Yingluck has started the "stop corruption campaign" and we don't have to worry about one dollar lost to corruption on ths project. We are blessed.

Edited December 8, 2012 by Pimay1

[hellodolly]

If for some reason the Shinawatra's were to fall out of power would the project still go ahead with the route to Chiang Mai?

[jaltsc]

I would welcome high speed rail, my last trip from Chiang Mai to BKK was about 14 hours on the "Express" train

But, at least you arrived alive

[Thai at Heart]

I would welcome high speed rail, my last trip from Chiang Mai to BKK was about 14 hours on the "Express" train

But, at least you arrived alive

There a several derailments per year on the existing Thai system. The Chinese run a huge high speed network already, so keeping 2 lines in decent working order which will be essentially brand new shouldn't be beyond anyone.

[whybother]

Construction of the initial stage of the railway project for the Bangkok-Chiang Mai route is scheduled to begin by the middle or second half of next year. The railway project for both routes will be completed until 2015.

Not sure what the last few words mean, but this is not a 2 year project.

Completely replacing the railway lines and building high speed tracks between the capital and the two northern cities is surely more like a 10 year project?

Perhaps someone with engineering knowledge might add something to this fantasy.

They won't be replacing the railway lines. The high speed tracks will be separate.

[Thai at Heart]

Construction of the initial stage of the railway project for the Bangkok-Chiang Mai route is scheduled to begin by the middle or second half of next year. The railway project for both routes will be completed until 2015.

Not sure what the last few words mean, but this is not a 2 year project.

Completely replacing the railway lines and building high speed tracks between the capital and the two northern cities is surely more like a 10 year project?

Perhaps someone with engineering knowledge might add something to this fantasy.

They won't be replacing the railway lines. The high speed tracks will be separate.

On raised riconcrete pilings, if they are construced something like many of the ones in China.

[Mosha]

"Inexpensive trains" You get what you pay for.

[harrry]

I think the heading should read.."Thailand plans to ruin chinese high speed trains"

[worgeordie]

Will drivers still try to beat the fast train at road crossing !,

there are lots of accidents with the slow trains,so this is

going to be something they are going to have to put a

lot of thought to......or maybe not.

regards Worgeordie

[whybother]

Will drivers still try to beat the fast train at road crossing !,

there are lots of accidents with the slow trains,so this is

going to be something they are going to have to put a

lot of thought to......or maybe not.

regards Worgeordie

No thought needed. Bridges.

[BookMan]

Will drivers still try to beat the fast train at road crossing !,

there are lots of accidents with the slow trains,so this is

going to be something they are going to have to put a

lot of thought to......or maybe not.

regards Worgeordie

No thought needed. Bridges.

I could not imagine there would be any road traffic crossing directly on the rails

[sirchai]

"Bang Sue train station in the capital will be upgraded to become a hub for the high-speed train systems."

Just another hub in the wall.

Please take the time and Google China's high speed accidents. Most of them censored by China.

"Searches for "Wenzhou" or "high-speed train" were censored from the Chinese internet."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/china/9421020/China-censors-anniversary-of-high-speed-rail-crash.html.

Edited December 8, 2012 by sirchai

[Thai at Heart]

Will drivers still try to beat the fast train at road crossing !,

there are lots of accidents with the slow trains,so this is

going to be something they are going to have to put a

lot of thought to......or maybe not.

regards Worgeordie

There aren't going to be any level crossings. The lines are going to be raised as far as I have heard. Could you imagine two enormous water levees running the length of the country? They run these in China on raised tracks, on concrete pilings. Track forms come in preformed concrete so on flat areas the construction is very rapid.

[Pimay1]

Will drivers still try to beat the fast train at road crossing !,

there are lots of accidents with the slow trains,so this is

going to be something they are going to have to put a

lot of thought to......or maybe not.

regards Worgeordie

Good thought. 300 kph is almost one football field per second. I think there might be a lot less Somchais on the road after a few months operation.

[webfact]

China presses hard on high-speed rail projects in Thailand

By Digital Media

BANGKOK, Dec 8 – China has reaffirmed its determination to invest in a high-speed rail system in Thailand as clearly stated in an earlier memorandum of understanding (MoU).

Luo Chunfang, China’s deputy minister for railway, raised the issue in a meeting with Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Friday and assured that an joint investment with China on the system would be much cheaper than with Germany or Japan.

According to the MoU signed on April 17 this year, Thailand and China will cooperate in the development of high-speed rail system on two routes: Bangkok-Chiang Mai, 677 km, and Bangkok-Nong Khai, 615 km.

Mr Luo said construction of high-speed rail by China costs US$20 million per km while the German system is US$50 million per km and Japan US$81 million per km.

It would take 6-7 years to finish while speeds can reach 250 km/hour or 300 km/hour, he said, adding that workers for the projects will be hired locally to spur domestic employment.

Ms Yingluck said she hoped the Thai-Chinese cooperation would materialise.

She asked the Chinese deputy minister to give priority to safety and take into consideration integration of Thailand’s existing rail system and development of communities and the environment along rail routes. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-12-08

[sirchai]

"Luo Chunfang, China’s deputy minister for railway, raised the issue in a meeting with Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Friday and assured that an joint investment with China on the system would be much cheaper than with Germany or Japan."

Why do they like German cars, but not high speed and high tech trains? I remember the accident, a BTS train had, when a Thai driver had switched the security off, that prevents accidents. ( another train was on the rail)

Short after the accident, they were really looking for German train drivers, advertised in Bangkok Post and other medias.

Technology's only as good as the people who are using it.

Edited December 8, 2012 by sirchai

[davejones]

The people on here who complain about Chines high-speed trains have obviously never used them. They are better than anything that's available in the West, and tickets are much cheaper. For those that will refuse to use them here, well that is your choice. Live in the past if you want, but I'll definitely be using them, as will many others.

Two years seems very fast by Western standards, but in China these high-speed train lines are built very quickly. China will build over 10,000 km of high speed track in the next three years, so a few hundred km should be possible here in two years. Can't wait to use it. Hopefully I'll be on the first train.

[aguy30]

It would take 6-7 years to finish while speeds can reach 250 km/hour or 300 km/hour, he said, adding that workers for the projects will be hired locally to spur domestic employment.

Let's see 2012 + 6 or 7 = 2018 or 2019

"The railway project for both routes will be completed until 2015."

That Thai math always confuses me.

update:

The railway project for both routes will be completed 2018.

update:

The railway project for both routes will be completed 2020.

update:

The railway project for both routes may be completed by 2025.

revised update:

The railway system for both routes might possibly be completed by 2030.

Cost estimate revised to $45 million/km include a few "hidden" expenses for family and Puea Thai friends.

Edited December 8, 2012 by aguy30

[sirchai]

The people on here who complain about Chines high-speed trains have obviously never used them. They are better than anything that's available in the West, and tickets are much cheaper. For those that will refuse to use them here, well that is your choice. Live in the past if you want, but I'll definitely be using them, as will many others.

Two years seems very fast by Western standards, but in China these high-speed train lines are built very quickly. China will build over 10,000 km of high speed track in the next three years, so a few hundred km should be possible here in two years. Can't wait to use it. Hopefully I'll be on the first train.

Hopefully you'll be on the first train. Good luck!-

[siampolee]

Might be worthwhile to recall the opening scenes from , ''The Shoes Of The Fisherman'' to understand China's anxiety to get their massive railroad network in place.Seem to recall the Autobahns were constructed for at the time for reasons unknown, however the motive became clear some time later as many parts of mainland Europe soon found out..

Certainly the time frame regarding construction does not fill me with confidence.Attach that time frame to the commission process'' from both the Thai side and the Chinese side and perhaps if luck holds 40% of the budget might actually make it to the construction process.

.Mr Luo said construction of high-speed rail by China costs US$20 million per km while the German system is US$50 million per km and Japan US$81 million per km.

Please remember that one gets what one pays for.

High speed trains need the best P.way base, specialized steel rails and specialized sleepers and an advanced signalling system also a competent operating staff, motive power (train crew) and rolling stock maintenance departments (T.M.D.) plus an excellent S.& T. department to accommodate a safe high speed train service.

The Chinese figures do not lead me to believe that those operating conditions could or even will be met facility or personnel wise..

Edited December 8, 2012 by siampolee

[Thai at Heart]

Might be worthwhile to recall the opening scenes from , ''The Shoes Of The Fisherman'' to understand China's anxiety to get their massive railroad network in place.Seem to recall the Autobahns were constructed for at the time for reasons unknown, however the motive became clear some time later as many parts of mainland Europe soon found out..

Certainly the time frame regarding construction does not fill me with confidence.Attach that time frame to the commission process'' from both the Thai side and the Chinese side and perhaps if luck holds 40% of the budget might actually make it to the construction process.

.Mr Luo said construction of high-speed rail by China costs US$20 million per km while the German system is US$50 million per km and Japan US$81 million per km.

Please remember that one gets what one pays for and high speed trains need the best P.way base, specialized steel rails and specialized sleepers and an advanced signalling system also a competent operating staff to accommodate a safe high speed train service, the Chinese figures do not lead me to believe that those operating conditions could or even will be met.

By that measure, China has the world's longest high-speed rail (HSR) network with about 6,800 km (4,200 mi)^[1] of routes running above 200km/h in service as of October 2012 including at least 3,515 km (2,184 mi) of rail lines with top speeds of 300 km/h (186 mph).^[2][3]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-speed_rail_in_China

I have ridden it in China, it is a great service, when one considers the alternatives of bus. Planes are ok in china, but tickets are difficult, and prices are pretty high.

I for one will be using it regularly to get to Bangkok, because considering the check in times and price, it actually works out about the same time, and cheaper to drive.

[ronz28]

High speed trains in Thailand? What's the rush? Safe and modern yes but I don't see the need for excessive speed.

[nong38]

The use of words is a bit miss leading I feel, I take it that the plan for the route will be in place by 2015 although some will read it as being built by then, which is impossible.

Chinese railways have copied europeon technology, a lot from the TGV trains of France but I am not sure the on board signaling works as well as it should, its to be hoped they went back and looked at that after the big crash of last year. It seems like it broadly going to run along a similar route to Pitsanoluk that the railway currently uses, good idea provided they remember that trains travelling at 250-300kph need long gentle curves and the track must go nowhere near any land that is likely to flood.

A positve move, let us all hope that it turns out as planned, if so I will look forward to using it.