Standard-gauge railway proceeding faster than planned, Thai Minister says

[webfact]

Standard-gauge railway proceeding faster than planned, Transport Minister says

BANGKOK, 6 February 2015 (NNT) - Preparations for the construction of a standard-gauge railway running through Nong Khai-Korat and Kaeng Khoi to Map Ta Phut, is proceeding faster than expected, advises the Transport Minister Prajin Juntong.

The next meeting between Thailand and the joint investor China is scheduled for Feb 11-13. China will then send its staff to explore railway routes in Thailand in late Feb, rather than early March 2015.

He also mentioned the progress of Thai-Japanese cooperation in railway development. The Japanese Transport Ministry will propose three railway routes from which one will be chosen. The three routes are the 770-kilometer route of Mae Sot-Phitsanulok-Khon Kaen-Mukdahan, the 339-kilometer route of Pu Nam Ron-Kanchanaburi-Bangkok-Map Ta Phut and the 653-kilometer route, Bangkok-Chiang Mai.

A decision about the Japanese proposal will be revealed by Thai Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha on Feb 9, during his official visit to Japan between Feb 8-10.


-- NNT 2015-02-06

[Anthony5]

However construction hasn't started yet, they claim it's proceeding faster.

Some more propaganda anyone?

[rubl]

Yesterday the BangkokPost had a small article of some disagreement regarding the financing. The conditions put by China to provide the loan were not to the Thai government's liking it would seem.

[toybits]

By Standard Guage - did they mean

Standard gauge: 4 ft 8 ¹⁄₂ in / 1,435 mm?

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_track_gauges

[Thai at Heart]

Yesterday the BangkokPost had a small article of some disagreement regarding the financing. The conditions put by China to provide the loan were not to the Thai government's liking it would seem.

Which is incredibly ass about face. Wh

Surely they should have settled the terms of the finance long before they started planning to do anything at all?

[khwaibah]

Bangkok Post front page says it is on hold because of finical disagreements.

[trainman34014]

Hang On; just a few days ago we were told China would be building and paying for it. It seemed highly unlikely and now the truth is emerging.

The only thing that is proceeding faster than expected are the doubts surrounding the whole project !

[Caveat Emptor]

With the China deal on hold because Thailand doesn't like the conditions will any lessons be learned or will they still see China as their new best friend and saviour ?

[chainarong]

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Yesterday the BangkokPost had a small article of some disagreement regarding the financing. The conditions put by China to provide the loan were not to the Thai government's liking it would seem.

Probably 51% interest

[chainarong]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

However construction hasn't started yet, they claim it's proceeding faster.

Some more propaganda anyone?

The former Chief Air Marshall should stick to what he knows , <deleted> wind bag.

[Sviss Geez]

However construction hasn't started yet, they claim it's proceeding faster.

Some more propaganda anyone?

The very first word in the report says "preparations". Some more Thai bashing anyone?

[berybert]

However construction hasn't started yet, they claim it's proceeding faster.

Some more propaganda anyone?

The very first word in the report says "preparations". Some more Thai bashing anyone?

The preparations will take as long as the Chinese and the Japanese want them to take. Doesn't have anything to do with the Thai's. So no point in bashing them on this one.

One of the joys of being unable to build a proper railway system yourself, is you cant be bashed.

Edited February 6, 2015 by berybert

[ExPratt]

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By Standard Guage - did they mean

Standard gauge: 4 ft 8 ¹⁄₂ in / 1,435 mm?

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_track_gauges

Yes that is standard Gauge

[ExPratt]

It may be a Design , Build and Operate contract meaning the PRC will take the money earned by the Railway. Either that or its interest bearing loans to fund

Great News that they are having Faster than planned meeetings

[HarrySeaman]

Gee guys, read the news paper.

<link to Bangkok Post removed per forum rules>

"Thailand used to get loans from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to fund electric train projects, such as the Airport Rail Link, with interest rates of only 1.5%,", said Deputy Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith, chairman of the sub-committee overseeing the project.

and

"Speaking after chairing the panel Thursday, Mr Arkhom said China had proposed the two countries apply for the loans from its EximBank to fund the 878-kilometre route with interest rates of 2-4%."

China wants to build the railroad using Chinese technology and loans from China. That way they make money both coming and going.

[Estrada]

By Standard Guage - did they mean

Standard gauge: 4 ft 8 ¹⁄₂ in / 1,435 mm?

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_track_gauges

Of course!

[masuk]

By Standard Guage - did they mean

Standard gauge: 4 ft 8 ¹⁄₂ in / 1,435 mm?

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_track_gauges

Europe and China both use 1435mm.

The Chinese trains which I've travelled on at over 300km/hr were certainly a lot more comfortable than a recent rock 'n roll trip from BKK to Chiang Mai.

[monkey4u]

However construction hasn't started yet, they claim it's proceeding faster.

Some more propaganda anyone?

The preparation is proceeding faster =

We have the menu planned and the hall booked

These are important for the piss up prior to any business being talked about

[ExPratt]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

By Standard Guage - did they mean

Standard gauge: 4 ft 8 ¹⁄₂ in / 1,435 mm?

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_track_gauges

Europe and China both use 1435mm.

The Chinese trains which I've travelled on at over 300km/hr were certainly a lot more comfortable than a recent rock 'n roll trip from BKK to Chiang Mai.

With that speed you cannot allow a train to pitch and roll about. Thats why many High speeds are slab Track, The French use a form of Ballast track but the Ballast is "Glued". Also the curves are much longer so adds to ride comfort

[ourmanflint]

AS I keep saying, there is no point building a railway to Nong Khai if there is nothing to join to in Laos. This is stupid, pie in the sky planning. At least wait until Laos have agreed a deal with China too.

[Jay Sata]

Should I book my ticket now?

[rubl]

Should I book my ticket now?

Yes please, and to show you our confidence we'll also hand you a lunchbox personally selected by Ms. Yingluck

[Usual Suspect]

Will Thailand change all it's lines to standard gauge to match the new proposed lines..?

(Or will new Chinese stock only run on the new lines?)

[Broeno]

Let the Japanese build it. They already build the bridge over the river Kwai.

[Anthony5]

However construction hasn't started yet, they claim it's proceeding faster.

Some more propaganda anyone?

The very first word in the report says "preparations". Some more Thai bashing anyone?

You must have a different report than me, or it must be the distortion through you rose colored goggles, but the first 7 words say.

Standard-gauge railway proceeding faster than planned,

Then it continues with 'Preparations for the construction' which in my book is something like clearing the land or pouring foundations or whatever, but sure not some blah blah blah blah cha cha cha

[Ricardo]

Will Thailand change all it's lines to standard gauge to match the new proposed lines..?

(Or will new Chinese stock only run on the new lines?)

No, this is a separate standard-gauge line, for medium-speed freight from China via Laos to Laem Chabang & Map-Ta-Put, possibly with a spur off to Bangkok, for reasons which haven't really been made clear AFAIK.

Current proposals for the SRT-network are to continue with track-dualling (already underway, if behind schedule) & metre-gauge, although some recent proposals were that freight might eventually be switched from one to the other, for onward transport down to Malaysia & Singapore.

That might be one objective of the standard-gauge spur to the north-side of Bangkok ?

Edited February 6, 2015 by Ricardo

[surangw]

aren't they still stuck at the stage of deciding how to divvy up the money ( called loan terms)

[Ulic]

On time and under budget will be the mantra, right up until the completion date passes and the

final bill is paid then the finger pointing will commence.

Edited February 6, 2015 by Ulic

[MaxLee]

By Standard Guage - did they mean

Standard gauge: 4 ft 8 ¹⁄₂ in / 1,435 mm?

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_track_gauges

It simply means Made in China - or in other words fast-cheap-deadly

[chooka]

By Standard Guage - did they mean Standard gauge: 4 ft 8 ¹⁄₂ in / 1,435 mm?

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_track_gauges

But isn't Thailand currently running on 1,000 mm? That means they will have to remove all existing lines and replace them with 1,435 mm. Huge job and huge cost.