Virtues of high-speed rail system to Hua Hin

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Virtues of high-speed rail system to Hua Hin

BANGKOK, 14 November 2013 (NNT) - The Thailand Future 2020 mega project stands to upgrade the quality of life in Thailand within 7 year’s time, and will also pave the way to a change in how Thais travel. One of the gateways to the South is the Bangkok - Hua Hin line that will only take 1 hour.

One of the high-speed rail lines planned to be constructed is the Bangkok - Hua Hin line, which totals 225 km. and consists of 4 stops: Nakhon Pathom, Phetchaburi, Ratchaburi, and Hua Hin.

The Hua Hin line is considered important as Hua Hin itself is an ancient city rich in cultural identities and known for its tourism industry. Building the rail system would render easier access to the popular city. The Ministry of Transport expects the construction to be completed by the year 2019.

Merely connecting Bangkok to Hua Hin may not maximize economic potentials, as reports have indicated that a railway reaching Padang Besar, Malaysia, would provide the best revenue return. However, more research on investment and studies must still be incorporated into the project, which is conducted by the Transport Ministry and the Department of Land Transport.


-- NNT 2013-11-14

[JoeLing]

Dear government.
Please reconsider, do NOT build a new train link down to the south as we have
already more then enough beautiful places spoiled by too many people

Maybe a high speed train link to Pattaya would sure be much more economic.
The social and the environmental impact would be hardly noticed.

[Issangeorge]

Don't tell anyone but about 100 kilometres south of Hua Him I'd perhaps the nicest beach resort in Thailand. Please don't tell TAT.

Sent from my i-mobile IQ X using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[pinkpanther99]

I don't mean to hate on Thailand and I don't want to be accused of Thai bashing but it strikes me that there are two things that Thailand should NEVER get involved with:

1. Nuclear power.

2. High speed rail.

[StreetCowboy]

It would seem more sensible to double track with metre gauge track and get the benefit of through-running on the new tracks laid through Malaysia as well. They'll save most of the time upgrading the current system to 120 kmh and eliminating the delays at passing places, while that will also benefit freight, and it can be done in incremental steps.

SC

[easyas]

Ridiculous speed claim - 225 km in an hour with 3 stops before Hua Hin.

Totally impossible!

[Torrens54]

It would seem more sensible to double track with metre gauge track and get the benefit of through-running on the new tracks laid through Malaysia as well. They'll save most of the time upgrading the current system to 120 kmh and eliminating the delays at passing places, while that will also benefit freight, and it can be done in incremental steps. SC

This is without a doubt the most sensible comment I have seen so far regarding Thai Rail.

Now, if only the folks in Parliament can stop fighting long enough to do something about it in the interests of Thailand!

[DonaldBattles]

A friend in the travel business told me that the big push next year is to get the hordes of Russians to Hua Hin. He said that Phuket is overloaded and the Russians are liking Hua Hin.

[LUSHGOAT]

I dont think they should get any high speed trains they are having enough problems keeping the ordinary trains on the tracks every other week there is a train derailed and they are not so fast so what is it gona be like a high speed.

[johnlandy]

Ridiculous speed claim - 225 km in an hour with 3 stops before Hua Hin.

Totally impossible!

That's something that Thailand has, an abundance of 'idiots who think up or moreover announce these brain dead schemes'

[Ozybear]

It just means a few years after it's built with no maintenance, the train carnage will be far worse. Fix the system up North and get some confidence back first.

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[lwilk]

The Bullet Train to Pattaya could be marketed as " You cum faster ! "

[RogueLeader]

This train is not for the benefit of ordinary Thais or tourists. It's one of many simultaneous high speed train projects around the world. Its purpose is to aid the easy transit of capital from public to private and from poor to rich.

[MikeOwen]

Ridiculous speed claim - 225 km in an hour with 3 stops before Hua Hin.

Totally impossible!

Then we can come off the rails/crash at high speed , even more fun

[wileycoyote]

Excellent news,hope this dea gets full backing

[FNQ]

A friend in the travel business told me that the big push next year is to get the hordes of Russians to Hua Hin. He said that Phuket is overloaded and the Russians are liking Hua Hin.

OMG!

[Traveller45]

It indeed is a problem. Ordinary trains are not being maintained, accidents are frequent, and the risks contained in a hi speed project like this are great. But then again, Thailand has a right to a prestige project. If they do like UAE, they will have an international company run and maintain the train system, and it will be OK. With suitably high ticket prices that system might even sustain itself and does not need any public funding

[MaxYakov]

Ridiculous speed claim - 225 km in an hour with 3 stops before Hua Hin.

Totally impossible!

Last I looked, km was for indicating distance, not speed (reference to 225 km in article). In any event, Bangkok - Hua Hin is only about 144 km. Is that doable in 1 hour with three (quick?) stops?

Figuring 3, 5-minute stops plus 1-hour travel time with a conservative 160 km distance yields:

160 km / 75 min = 2.21 km/min = 128 km/hr (average speed)*

* = Note: Does not include time to re-rail the train after a derailment.

Edited November 14, 2013 by MaxYakov

[hellodolly]

Agree 100%.

It would seem more sensible to double track with metre gauge track and get the benefit of through-running on the new tracks laid through Malaysia as well. They'll save most of the time upgrading the current system to 120 kmh and eliminating the delays at passing places, while that will also benefit freight, and it can be done in incremental steps. SC

This is without a doubt the most sensible comment I have seen so far regarding Thai Rail.

Now, if only the folks in Parliament can stop fighting long enough to do something about it in the interests of Thailand!

Is this just not a small part of the plan China proposed a year or two ago?

I think the point that sank that one was that it did not include Chiang Mai as it would not be feasable but it did allow for a feasibly possible spur to Chiang Rai.

A friend in the travel business told me that the big push next year is to get the hordes of Russians to Hua Hin. He said that Phuket is overloaded and the Russians are liking Hua Hin.

There is a real reason to fear that. Has there been any talk of Pattaya or Phuket receiving benefits from the Russians other than tourist baht. All I hear about them is they bring the Mafia with them. Not Russian bashing just reporting what I hear about them.

[Equalizer]

What about upgrading the ancient rolling stock in service! I bought a sleeper to nong kai once some old deer came on with a cage full of chickens.

[masuk]

I don't mean to hate on Thailand and I don't want to be accused of Thai bashing but it strikes me that there are two things that Thailand should NEVER get involved with:

1. Nuclear power.

2. High speed rail.

I'd agree with the nuclear power one.

But if the line was installed by the present team maintaining the line to Chiang Mai, we wouldn't have a problem, surely?

I've travelled by train in parts of China in excess of 300km/hr, but not really too sure that I'd try that here.

[hellodolly]

It indeed is a problem. Ordinary trains are not being maintained, accidents are frequent, and the risks contained in a hi speed project like this are great. But then again, Thailand has a right to a prestige project. If they do like UAE, they will have an international company run and maintain the train system, and it will be OK. With suitably high ticket prices that system might even sustain itself and does not need any public funding

Then why isn't private enterprise all over this money making scheme of yours.

[masuk]

Ridiculous speed claim - 225 km in an hour with 3 stops before Hua Hin.

Totally impossible!

Last I looked, km was for indicating distance, not speed. In any event, Bangkok - Hua Hin is only 144.32 km. Is that doable in 1 hour with three (quick?) stops?

huh? here's a new one! you have km (kilometres) you have kilometres per hour (km/hr)

In some places where they still use miles, they have mph (miles per hour)

[DrTuner]

I would be happy if this project actually got done. The hordes of BKK would probably invade HH every weekend instead of Pattaya, a very positive outcome.

[recycler]

That will sure increase the mortality rate of derailings!

[easyas]

Ridiculous speed claim - 225 km in an hour with 3 stops before Hua Hin.

Totally impossible!

Last I looked, km was for indicating distance, not speed.

And I quote:

"One of the gateways to the South is the Bangkok - Hua Hin line that will only take 1 hour.

One of the high-speed rail lines planned to be constructed is the Bangkok - Hua Hin line, which totals 225 km. and consists of 4 stops: Nakhon Pathom, Phetchaburi, Ratchaburi, and Hua Hin."

Seems llke 225 km in 1 hour to me!

[taiping]

Thank goodness it will not stop in Cha-Am so it will hopefully remain relatively peaceful (except for holidays).

[thhMan]

I don't mean to hate on Thailand and I don't want to be accused of Thai bashing but it strikes me that there are two things that Thailand should NEVER get involved with:

1. Nuclear power.

2. High speed rail.

You forgot ...

3. Politics

4. Tourism

5. Education

6. Human Rights

[Ratsima]

It would seem more sensible to double track with metre gauge track and get the benefit of through-running on the new tracks laid through Malaysia as well. They'll save most of the time upgrading the current system to 120 kmh and eliminating the delays at passing places, while that will also benefit freight, and it can be done in incremental steps. SC

No kidding. Once they get ordinary speed rail done right they might give HSR a shot. Dual carriageway, standard gauge, ordinary rail will have many more economic benefits than HSR. It would be so great to get freight off the highways and on to the rails where it belongs and where costs are so much lower.

[Matthew2027]

SURE SURE SURE, Not gunna happen....................