Thai-Japanese govts to sign MoU on two train projects next month
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Thai and Japanese governments will next month sign a memorandum of understanding on the constructions of two train projects, Deputy Transport Minister Akom Termpitayapaisit said.

The first project will be the one-metre double-track railway Kanchanaburi-Bangkok-Chachoengsao-Laem Chabang route and Bangkok-Chachoengsao-Aranyaprathet route. The second project will be Bangkok-Chiang Mai high-speed train system.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Thai-Japanese-govts-to-sign-MoU-on-two-train-proje-30259077.html


-- The Nation 2015-04-30

Does that mean the Chinese step back in the railroad investments? Perhaps historic ties prevail here. The Japanese go way back with building Thai railways, had a big project here in the 1940ies. Hope these lines will have better construction. So far I am far from impressed how Thai railways do their job. Hub of train accidents...

Thailand and Japan to sign MOU on railway project

BANGKOK, 30 April 2015 (NNT) – Thailand and Japan have decided to sign an MOU for the construction of double- track rail routes linking the West to the East.

Transport deputy Minister Akom Termpitayapaisit has disclosed that Japan will undertake the construction of one-meter wide dual tracks for two routes. The signing of the MOU should take place within May.

The first route, which covers a distance of 574 kilometers, starts from the western province of Kanchanaburi and ends at Aranyaprathet District, in the eastern province of Sakaeo, via Bangkok. The second route starts from the capital city to Chiang Mai, covering a distance of 670 kilomters.

The Ministry of Transport has deemed the project economically feasible, as it can boost connectivity between the East and the Lower West, adding that transport of goods from Laem Chabang Seaport to Dawei Deep Sea Port in Myanmar would be made much easier. The project can also facilitate Japan’s expansion of investments to Myanmar and Vietnam.

The Ministry of Transport has in addition planned to ask Japan to help carry out a feasibility study of the Tak-Mukdaharn railway project, and to send its experts to assist Thailand work out a railway network for the eastern region.


-- NNT 2015-04-30

It beggers belief that they cling to the 1 metre gauge for a new project. Haven't they learned from their new best bud (China) that standard gauge is the way to go.

Does that mean the Chinese step back in the railroad investments? Perhaps historic ties prevail here. The Japanese go way back with building Thai railways, had a big project here in the 1940ies. Hope these lines will have better construction. So far I am far from impressed how Thai railways do their job. Hub of train accidents...

they have benefit of experiance from the construction

railway bridge over Kwai river in historic war !

Yes , maybee they even can still use that bridge, high German workmanship if i good remember,

Alec Guinness, Jack Hawkins and "Hitler, he only had one ball....."

Does that mean the Chinese step back in the railroad investments? Perhaps historic ties prevail here. The Japanese go way back with building Thai railways, had a big project here in the 1940ies. Hope these lines will have better construction. So far I am far from impressed how Thai railways do their job. Hub of train accidents...

they have benefit of experiance from the construction

railway bridge over Kwai river in historic war !

Yes , maybee they even can still use that bridge, high German workmanship if i good remember,

Mango: "if I good remember" suggests you are German. You started it: you invaded Poland.....

Fawlty Towers, in case you do not know this reference...

Does that mean the Chinese step back in the railroad investments? Perhaps historic ties prevail here. The Japanese go way back with building Thai railways, had a big project here in the 1940ies. Hope these lines will have better construction. So far I am far from impressed how Thai railways do their job. Hub of train accidents...

Different Routes.

The Thai - Chinese MoU's cover NongKhai - Bangkok - LaemChabang. Mind you we were supposed to have an MoU in April, 2011, we did have an MoU in April, 2012, and possible a few more a month or two ago. The only aspect which seems to move is the finishing date

Why waste time and money signing these Mou's

If you are going to build the rail line do it

More work less talk = sorry you wont have big parties but the job will be done Maybe

Does that mean the Chinese step back in the railroad investments? Perhaps historic ties prevail here. The Japanese go way back with building Thai railways, had a big project here in the 1940ies. Hope these lines will have better construction. So far I am far from impressed how Thai railways do their job. Hub of train accidents...

they have benefit of experiance from the construction

railway bridge over Kwai river in historic war !

Yes , maybee they even can still use that bridge, high German workmanship if i good remember,

Please tell me,What did the germans have to do with the Kwai bridge?

Why are these railway announcements so bereft of details? Who did the feasibility and economic studies? What is the construction cost? Where is the money coming from? How long will it take? Are these predominantly lines for freight or passenger service?

And most of all, why are these very large public infrastructure projects being initiated without any competitive procurements?

So they have now the Chinese who will install a standard size railway on 2 routes and the Japanese who will build a 1 meter wide railway on 2 other routes, so at the end goods will not be able to get from one side of the country to the other side without moving all the goods to another train somewhere along the traject?

Edited May 1, 201511 yr by Anthony5

Does that mean the Chinese step back in the railroad investments? Perhaps historic ties prevail here. The Japanese go way back with building Thai railways, had a big project here in the 1940ies. Hope these lines will have better construction. So far I am far from impressed how Thai railways do their job. Hub of train accidents...

they have benefit of experiance from the construction

railway bridge over Kwai river in historic war !

Yes , maybee they even can still use that bridge, high German workmanship if i good remember,

You do not "good remember". The Germans had no part in building or designing the bridge, which was in any case blown to smithereens by allied bombers before the end of the war.

Wow a highspeed train from BKK to Chiang mai built by Japanese.....Thank you General!

Why are these railway announcements so bereft of details? Who did the feasibility and economic studies? What is the construction cost? Where is the money coming from? How long will it take? Are these predominantly lines for freight or passenger service?

And most of all, why are these very large public infrastructure projects being initiated without any competitive procurements?

And how about a MAP please

Does that mean the Chinese step back in the railroad investments? Perhaps historic ties prevail here. The Japanese go way back with building Thai railways, had a big project here in the 1940ies. Hope these lines will have better construction. So far I am far from impressed how Thai railways do their job. Hub of train accidents...

they have benefit of experiance from the construction

railway bridge over Kwai river in historic war !

Yes , maybee they even can still use that bridge, high German workmanship if i good remember,

You do not "good remember". The Germans had no part in building or designing the bridge, which was in any case blown to smithereens by allied bombers before the end of the war.

Which bridge do you mean?

Does that mean the Chinese step back in the railroad investments? Perhaps historic ties prevail here. The Japanese go way back with building Thai railways, had a big project here in the 1940ies. Hope these lines will have better construction. So far I am far from impressed how Thai railways do their job. Hub of train accidents...

they have benefit of experiance from the construction

railway bridge over Kwai river in historic war !

Yes , maybee they even can still use that bridge, high German workmanship if i good remember,

You do not "good remember". The Germans had no part in building or designing the bridge, which was in any case blown to smithereens by allied bombers before the end of the war.

Which bridge do you mean?

I thought the bridge in question was built by Australian,British,and other Commonwealth POW and Thai slaves,same as Hell Fire Pass.

R.I.P.

Is the bridge not still standing?

Why are these railway announcements so bereft of details? Who did the feasibility and economic studies? What is the construction cost? Where is the money coming from? How long will it take? Are these predominantly lines for freight or passenger service?

And most of all, why are these very large public infrastructure projects being initiated without any competitive procurements?

With only one party interested, with that party willing to co-finance, going through the 'competitive procurements' activities just for the fun of it seems a bit overdone. The important part would be details of the final contract, rather than that of a MoU which doesn't say much.

Edited May 3, 201511 yr by rubl

It beggers belief that they cling to the 1 metre gauge for a new project. Haven't they learned from their new best bud (China) that standard gauge is the way to go.

Let's see; perhaps it's so they won't have to buy a new set of rolling stock that will only fit that line. Or so they can link up to parts of the existing line without 3rd railing it, and so the trains will fit through stations and overpasses, and over bridges on that existing line.

Standard gauge has benefits, but there are costs too.