I would expect the line to be open in December. The work close to Chiang Mai has only begun in the last couple of weeks & is nearly finished. I would imagine they started work at the southern end when they closed the line & are finishing at the Chiang Mai end.

Fingers crossed. Maybe I need to be less negative. I just have little confidence in Thais and trains lately.

For all the Nay Sayers and moners..

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Track_ballast

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ballast_tamper