2 High-speed Rail Projects Set for PPP Fast Track
BY VIRAJ SHAJ



BANGKOK: -- Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith announced that the 193.5 kilometer Bangkok-Rayong and the 211 kilometer Bangkok-Hua Hin are slated for consideration for the public private partnership (PPP) scheme’s fast track.

The two rails are valued at Bt153 billion and Bt94.7 billion respectively.

The Transport Minister said the two rails will be submitted for approval this month or next month. The rails would be the sixth and seventh projects to be approved for the PPP fast track. The government approved five fast track projects in November with a value of Bt334 billion. The five projects are expected to start in the second half of the year.

The Bangkok-Rayong rail is a high-speed rail that will link Bangkok and Rayong as part of the government’s plan to build up Rayong as a high-technology industry. The project is part of the Eastern Economic Corridor development plan.

Full story: https://ethailand.com/business-news/2-high-speed-rail-projects-set-ppp-fast-track/2842/

-- eThailand 2016-06-10

...well, maybe by 2030 I reckon.....

Pfffft never gonna happen. If it does I won't be getting on it.

Edited June 10, 201610 yr by Kru Baa

PPP, Public Private Partnership.

Follow the money, if you can.

Someone is agitating quite hard for these lines. Maybe best to get them "funded" sooner rather than later. Or just let them steal their commissions and save money in the long run. These lines will be a bust anyway.

You would think that upgrading the existing track and infrastructure would be the place to start. Why on earth don't they look at good practice elsewhere in the world, oops forgot this is the centre of the universe.

The two rails are valued at Bt153 billion and Bt94.7 billion respectively.

In May 2016. "Tenders are expected to be sought for the estimated costs of the projects that amount to 94,600 million [94.6 billion] baht for the Hua Hin route and 152,000 million [152 billion] baht for the Rayong route."

I hope they make the awards soon - projects are getting more expensive each day.

Edited June 10, 201610 yr by Srikcir

''The five projects are expected to start in the second half of the year '' But what year ? Seems to me we are always being told the fist half of next year or the second half of this year for just about every major construction project. Words continue to fly but no dirt !

Speaking as one that can't really afford to travel to Chiang Mai from Bangkok return with family first class, and assuming that HSR will be a lot more expensive, who do they think will be actually using this service? I would be content with a punctual service, new rolling stock run on double tracks and a lot more attention paid to freight.