Thai-Chinese double-track railways project will turn Thailand to AEC logistic hub

[webfact]

Thai-Chinese double-track railways project will turn Thailand to AEC logistic hub

AYUTTHAYA, 12 May 2015 (NNT) - A public hearing on the Thai-Chinese project to build double-track railways was held on Monday in Ayutthaya Province to gather public opinions and their suggestions on the project.

Chaiwat Tongkamkoon, Deputy Director-General of the Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning Office who presided over today’s public hearing said that people shared their views and concerns over the construction of two railway routes: Nakhon Ratchasima-Laem Chabang-Map Ta Phut route and Kaeng Khoi-Ban Phachi - Bang Sue route. Their discussion covered engineering, environmental and social impacts of the railways projects.

The double-track railways will be built in three phases, with 500 km. in combined distance. The railway uses electric system, allowing trains to move with high speed but still safe and convenient for both passenger and goods traffic. The construction will be taken from 2015-2022. Once completed the project is expected to turn Thailand to a key strategic and AEC logistics gateway while enhancing Thailand's competitiveness in international trade.

A public opinion survey shows that Thai people felt positive towards the railway projects as they consider them as a great opportunity to overhaul rail transport in Thailand.

Ayutthaya is one of provinces located on the line of the new double-track railway routes. It is expected that the railways would bring more tourists to the province, possibly resulting in more investment, increasing number of jobs and higher incomes for local communities.


-- NNT 2015-05-12

[BigBadGeordie]

Thailand has a "Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning Office", never knew that!

However, Google informs me it's located in the same building and right next door to the "Department of Inactive Posts"

[khwaibah]

Sure this article was not written by TAT ? Thailand The the hub of hub. BS.

[Srikcir]

How does being at the END of a two-nation 500km rail line considered a "hub?"

[Thaddeus]

Thai-Chinese double-track railways project will turn Thailand to AEC logistic hub

No, it won't.

All it means is that Thailand may have a double-track railway.

And I wouldn't put money on that either.

[rametindallas]

Being a logistics hub for AEC, is not such a big deal and Thailand, even with it's train network being more than a hundred years old, is already considered a leader in logistics among ASEAN. Upgrading a major infrastructure tool like the railway system can only have a positive effect. When they have reliable, fast freight service straight from China to the new Indian Ocean port at Dawei, Thailand will be a beneficiary along with China, Laos, and Myanmar. I'm happy for Thailand.

[Praematura]

Whole new class of quality tourists coming that can't afford airline tickets.

[rametindallas]

How does being at the END of a two-nation 500km rail line considered a "hub?"

Laem Chabang is only Thailand's largest port and Map Ta Phut is only Thailand's largest industrial park. Connecting those two with modern double-track fast freight can't hurt. Nakhon Ratchasima is the 'Hub of Isaan' and source of plentiful cheap land and plentiful cheap labor; all ready for expansion of industry and jobs to the area. This will boost the reputation of Prayut and make Thaksin less significant. Isaan had only been getting 'lip service' from Thaksin but this rail connection is tangible and will bring huge and long-lasting benefits to the region. Issan people won't be faced with the choice of either working locally in agriculture or having to move to Bangkok to do construction, taxi driving, whoring, etc. because they will have good paying jobs in their own region/neighborhood. Isaan has been left out of economic development since forever and it's about time some money was spent to boost that regions' economy. Prayut is a 'smart cookie' to include Isaan into this new prosperity plan.

considered a "hub?"

Thailand is not a wagon wheel and hub can be used in a different context than the center of a wheel. Try this definition to get an idea of what the government is aiming for. Hub:3. a center around which other things revolve or from which they radiate; a focus of activity, authority, commerce, transportation, etc.:

Chicago is a railroad hub.

Parts and raw material from China, Japan, and other countries will flow into Thailand and finished products, assembled by Thai workers, will flow out to the world. If Thailand does more of this than other AEC member states, it can rightfully call itself THE hub. Right now, it is A hub.

There sure is a lot of negativity on this thread for an infrastructure improvement which looks like a good thing for Thailand.

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

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

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

[trainman34014]

More talk; it's what Thai's like doing best and that's why every week there is a 'meeting' to discuss anything that might be flavour of the month. Lets see a sod turned before we start thinking something real may come out of this. Just three years ago a HST line was coming to Chiang Mai and completion was going to be this year. Haven't see anyone with a shovel or pick axe lately, but the lunchboxes were ordered in advance !

Edited May 12, 2015 by trainman34014

[asdecas]

How does being at the END of a two-nation 500km rail line considered a "hub?"

Laem Chabang is only Thailand's largest port and Map Ta Phut is only Thailand's largest industrial park. Connecting those two with modern double-track fast freight can't hurt. Nakhon Ratchasima is the 'Hub of Isaan' and source of plentiful cheap land and plentiful cheap labor; all ready for expansion of industry and jobs to the area. This will boost the reputation of Prayut and make Thaksin less significant. Isaan had only been getting 'lip service' from Thaksin but this rail connection is tangible and will bring huge and long-lasting benefits to the region. Issan people won't be faced with the choice of either working locally in agriculture or having to move to Bangkok to do construction, taxi driving, whoring, etc. because they will have good paying jobs in their own region/neighborhood. Isaan has been left out of economic development since forever and it's about time some money was spent to boost that regions' economy. Prayut is a 'smart cookie' to include Isaan into this new prosperity plan.

considered a "hub?"

Thailand is not a wagon wheel and hub can be used in a different context than the center of a wheel. Try this definition to get an idea of what the government is aiming for. Hub:3. a center around which other things revolve or from which they radiate; a focus of activity, authority, commerce, transportation, etc.:

Chicago is a railroad hub.

Parts and raw material from China, Japan, and other countries will flow into Thailand and finished products, assembled by Thai workers, will flow out to the world. If Thailand does more of this than other AEC member states, it can rightfully call itself THE hub. Right now, it is A hub.

There sure is a lot of negativity on this thread for an infrastructure improvement which looks like a good thing for Thailand.

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

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

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

I'd have more faith in the State's ability to run a high-speed, double-track rail system if the country were demonstrably able to operate a single track system efficiently and safely. Unfortunately they are not, and have not been for a good many years, if ever.

[Lakegeneve]

How does being at the END of a two-nation 500km rail line considered a "hub?"

Laem Chabang is only Thailand's largest port and Map Ta Phut is only Thailand's largest industrial park. Connecting those two with modern double-track fast freight can't hurt. Nakhon Ratchasima is the 'Hub of Isaan' and source of plentiful cheap land and plentiful cheap labor; all ready for expansion of industry and jobs to the area. This will boost the reputation of Prayut and make Thaksin less significant. Isaan had only been getting 'lip service' from Thaksin but this rail connection is tangible and will bring huge and long-lasting benefits to the region. Issan people won't be faced with the choice of either working locally in agriculture or having to move to Bangkok to do construction, taxi driving, whoring, etc. because they will have good paying jobs in their own region/neighborhood. Isaan has been left out of economic development since forever and it's about time some money was spent to boost that regions' economy. Prayut is a 'smart cookie' to include Isaan into this new prosperity plan.

considered a "hub?"

Thailand is not a wagon wheel and hub can be used in a different context than the center of a wheel. Try this definition to get an idea of what the government is aiming for. Hub:3. a center around which other things revolve or from which they radiate; a focus of activity, authority, commerce, transportation, etc.:

Chicago is a railroad hub.

Parts and raw material from China, Japan, and other countries will flow into Thailand and finished products, assembled by Thai workers, will flow out to the world. If Thailand does more of this than other AEC member states, it can rightfully call itself THE hub. Right now, it is A hub.

There sure is a lot of negativity on this thread for an infrastructure improvement which looks like a good thing for Thailand.

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

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

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

I'd have more faith in the State's ability to run a high-speed, double-track rail system if the country were demonstrably able to operate a single track system efficiently and safely. Unfortunately they are not, and have not been for a good many years, if ever.

Which misses the point entirely......let's write it in another context and see how silly what you just wrote sounds

' I'd have more faith in the States ability to operate a new dual-lane expressway if the country were demonstrably able to operate a single lane road system (that has not been upgraded since the 1960s) efficiently and safely'

That is basically what you are saying. Makes no sense does it?

The reason why Thailands predominately single track 4000km of railways is operated so poorly and has so many safety issues (mainly relate to poor track and vehicle crossing accidents where drivers don't look) is that no government has invested in the required network upgrade not been willing to do so until 2009.

New highways have been built and expanded (in some cases 2 times),

Airports have expanded and new ones opened,

New metros lines built.

Yet the railways have been neglected by successive govts over the last 5 decades until the Dems and then the PT govts committed to a major upgrade.

Little wonder that there are so many problems. One can't solve decades of neglect overnight.......even with the govts PR dribble.

[ExPratt]

Starting this year 2015-2022 . They must be well in advance with their planning. To be fair good to see a realistic program of 7 years.

Off the top of my head I can think of 7 projects including this one that they have been talking about .Forgetting the management and consultants just Manpower alone would be huge

[ExPratt]

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

How does being at the END of a two-nation 500km rail line considered a "hub?"

Laem Chabang is only Thailand's largest port and Map Ta Phut is only Thailand's largest industrial park. Connecting those two with modern double-track fast freight can't hurt. Nakhon Ratchasima is the 'Hub of Isaan' and source of plentiful cheap land and plentiful cheap labor; all ready for expansion of industry and jobs to the area. This will boost the reputation of Prayut and make Thaksin less significant. Isaan had only been getting 'lip service' from Thaksin but this rail connection is tangible and will bring huge and long-lasting benefits to the region. Issan people won't be faced with the choice of either working locally in agriculture or having to move to Bangkok to do construction, taxi driving, whoring, etc. because they will have good paying jobs in their own region/neighborhood. Isaan has been left out of economic development since forever and it's about time some money was spent to boost that regions' economy. Prayut is a 'smart cookie' to include Isaan into this new prosperity plan.

considered a "hub?"

Thailand is not a wagon wheel and hub can be used in a different context than the center of a wheel. Try this definition to get an idea of what the government is aiming for. Hub:3. a center around which other things revolve or from which they radiate; a focus of activity, authority, commerce, transportation, etc.:

Chicago is a railroad hub.

Parts and raw material from China, Japan, and other countries will flow into Thailand and finished products, assembled by Thai workers, will flow out to the world. If Thailand does more of this than other AEC member states, it can rightfully call itself THE hub. Right now, it is A hub.

There sure is a lot of negativity on this thread for an infrastructure improvement which looks like a good thing for Thailand.

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

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

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

I'd have more faith in the State's ability to run a high-speed, double-track rail system if the country were demonstrably able to operate a single track system efficiently and safely. Unfortunately they are not, and have not been for a good many years, if ever.

Which misses the point entirely......let's write it in another context and see how silly what you just wrote sounds

' I'd have more faith in the States ability to operate a new dual-lane expressway if the country were demonstrably able to operate a single lane road system (that has not been upgraded since the 1960s) efficiently and safely'

That is basically what you are saying. Makes no sense does it?

The reason why Thailands predominately single track 4000km of railways is operated so poorly and has so many safety issues (mainly relate to poor track and vehicle crossing accidents where drivers don't look) is that no government has invested in the required network upgrade not been willing to do so until 2009.

New highways have been built and expanded (in some cases 2 times),

Airports have expanded and new ones opened,

New metros lines built.

Yet the railways have been neglected by successive govts over the last 5 decades until the Dems and then the PT govts committed to a major upgrade.

Little wonder that there are so many problems. One can't solve decades of neglect overnight.......even with the govts PR dribble.

Badly Maintained Track and outdated components , poor out dated signalling , no control (Fences) of ROW.uncontroll level crossings. recipe for disaster anywhere

[ExPratt]

"The railway uses electric system, allowing trains to move with high speed but still safe"

I think he means "Higher" speed

They use OCS on High speed yes , but they also use it on nearly all railways of various speeds. Also you wouldn't want to be firing heavy freight trains with moody wheel's over your extremely expensive , low tolerance high speed railway.

[emilymat]

I get increasingly fed up of the use of trendy modern words. I noticed in the UK that almost every lorry on the road has the word 'logistics' on the side. Its used so loosely and that has now spread to Thailand.

Just a pet hate! Stupid really.

[Pib]

Sure this article was not written by TAT ? Thailand The the hub of hub. BS.

Nope, not written by TAT but by the National News Bureau of Thailand (NNT) which is part of the govt's Public Relations Department. NNT and TAT news releases are always pro govt & country.