Minister Suriya Accepts Korat Residents' Proposal to Elevate Dual-Track Railway Through the City
Source: Siam Rath
Monday, June 17, 2024, 04:20
Nakhon Ratchasima: At the Luang Phor Koon Parisutho Conference Room, 3rd Floor, Nakhon Ratchasima Provincial Hall, Mr. Suriya Juangroongruangkit, Minister of Transport, along with Mrs. Monporn Charoensri, Deputy Minister of Transport, provided policy directives to Mr. Chaiwat Chuenkosum, Governor of Nakhon Ratchasima, and relevant government department heads. The meeting was held to address traffic issues on Highway 2 (Mittraphap Road) intersecting with Highway 202 at Sida Intersection, Sida District, Nakhon Ratchasima. They also discussed progress on and received briefings about the high-speed rail and dual-track railway projects from Map Kabao to Chira Junction, passing through Nakhon Ratchasima City.
In response to questions about demolishing the Simathani Bridge, Mr. Suriya clarified that Mr. Surapong Piyachote, Deputy Minister of Transport, had recently held discussions with local MPs and stakeholders in Nakhon Ratchasima. Two options were considered: 1) constructing an underpass beneath the Simathani Bridge, or 2) elevating the tracks over the bridge, which poses a problem for stopping at Nakhon Ratchasima Station. No definitive solution was reached. However, local residents prefer the elevated railway option, which Mr. Suriya will advocate and drive forward.
Regarding the M6 Motorway project from Bang Pa-in to Nakhon Ratchasima, Mr. Suriya mentioned that prior to his tenure, multiple contracts were in place, leading to budget disbursement issues due to route surveys encountering water sources and forest areas. These issues have since been resolved, allowing the project to proceed. Local MPs have expressed the desire to extend the route to Khon Kaen and Nong Khai, a proposal Mr. Suriya supports, recognizing its potential to enhance competitiveness by facilitating goods transport to neighboring countries via Laos to China. There is also a proposal to connect the route to Laem Chabang Port, which, if realized, would directly reduce transport costs significantly.
"Regarding the call for a commercial airport and flight services to Korat, the reality is that travel between Bangkok and Nakhon Ratchasima requires extra time for early arrival and baggage collection, posing convenience issues. Once the high-speed rail is operational, it is expected that the public will prefer this service. Hence, building a new airport in Korat is unnecessary at this stage. If Air Force Base 1 can serve as a beneficial airport with sufficient demand, we will pursue it further," said the Minister of Transport.
Source: Siam Rath Newspaper, June 17, 2024 Edition
SRT Board to Approve 3 Double-Track Railway Projects, Boosting Investment to 148 Billion Baht
Krungthep Turakij, June 19, 2024, 7:50 AM
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) board is expected to approve the final 3 routes of the mega double-track railway project Phase 2, covering Chumphon-Surat Thani, Surat Thani-Hat Yai, and Denchai-Chiang Mai, with a total investment of over 148 billion baht. The bidding for the Khon Kaen-Nong Khai section is also scheduled for July.
According to sources from the SRT, the remaining 3 routes of Phase 2 have not yet been submitted to the board for approval. These routes cover a total distance of 678 kilometers and require an investment of approximately 148 billion baht. The routes include:
These 3 routes will be presented to the SRT board for approval on June 19th. This marks the final 3 routes of the Phase 2 project, as the previous 4 routes have already been approved by the board. The Khon Kaen-Nong Khai section, spanning 167 kilometers with a budget of 29.748 billion baht, is the most prepared for investment and is expected to open for bidding in July.
The other 3 routes, namely Pak Nam Pho-Denchai (281 kilometers, 81.143 billion baht), Chumtang Thanon Chira-Ubon Ratchathani (308 kilometers, 44.103 billion baht), and Hat Yai-Padang Besar (45 kilometers, 7.9 billion baht), have been submitted to the Ministry of Transport. However, the ministry has requested revisions to align the project details with the current situation, and it is expected that the revised proposals will be resubmitted soon.
The final 3 routes of Phase 2 have already received Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) approval from the National Environment Board (NEB) for 2 routes: Chumphon-Surat Thani (approved on March 15, 2023) and Surat Thani-Hat Yai-Songkhla (approved on June 19, 2023). These 2 projects are expected to be submitted to the Cabinet for approval within this year.
For the Denchai-Chiang Mai route, the SRT is in the process of submitting the EIA report to the expert committee for the third time. Therefore, it is expected that the project will be submitted to the Cabinet for approval in 2025 after the EIA process is completed.
Double-Track Railway Phase 2: Final Batch Submitted for Board Approval
Source: Daily News
Wednesday, June 19, 2024, 03:47
Three Lines, 140 Billion Baht, Expected to Enter Cabinet This Year
Chumphon-Songkhla/Den Chai-Chiang Mai
A report from the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) indicates that during the SRT board meeting on June 19, 2024, chaired by Jirut Wisaljitr, Director-General of the Department of Land Transport (DLT) and Chairman of the SRT Board, the construction of three dual-track railway routes covering a total distance of 678 km and an estimated cost of 148 billion baht will be considered. These routes, proposed by the Special Projects and Construction Division of the SRT, include:
1. Chumphon-Surat Thani: 168 km, 24.294 billion baht.
2. Surat Thani-Hat Yai Junction-Songkhla: 321 km, 67.459 billion baht.
3. Den Chai-Chiang Mai: 189 km, 56.837 billion baht.
These three routes have already received environmental impact assessment (EIA) approvals from the National Environment Board (NEB): the Chumphon-Surat Thani route on March 15, 2023, and the Surat Thani-Hat Yai Junction-Songkhla route on June 19, 2023. The Den Chai-Chiang Mai route's EIA is currently under review by the Environmental Impact Evaluation Committee (EIEC) for the third time.
These three routes represent the final batch of the Phase 2 double-track railway construction project, which includes seven routes totaling 1,479 km and a budget of 275.301 billion baht. The SRT Board has already approved the first four routes, including the Khon Kaen-Nong Khai route (167 km, 29.748 billion baht), which is currently being revised for tender document details and is expected to open for bidding by July 2024.
The other three routes awaiting approval are:
1. Pak Nam Pho-Den Chai: 281 km, 81.143 billion baht.
2. Thanon Chira Junction-Ubon Ratchathani: 308 km, 44.103 billion baht.
3. Hat Yai Junction-Padang Besar: 45 km, 7.9 billion baht.
These proposals have been submitted to the Ministry of Transport for review before being presented to the Cabinet. The Ministry of Transport has requested minor detail adjustments before reconsideration. The SRT is expediting these revisions and aims to resubmit them to the Ministry of Transport shortly.
The SRT aims to secure Cabinet approval for Phase 2 of the dual-track railway project within 2024, except for the Den Chai-Chiang Mai route, which may need to wait for its EIA approval from the NEB. This route is expected to be submitted for Cabinet consideration by 2025.
On June 19, 2024, the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) board approved the Surat Thani-Hat Yai Junction-Songkhla double-track railway project.
SRT Board Approves 3 Final Routes for Phase 2 Double-Track Railway
As expected, the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) board has given the green light to three final routes for the Phase 2 double-track railway project, worth 160 billion baht. The project is expected to be submitted to the Ministry of Transport in June, with bidding for contractors to open by November 2024.
Mr. Chirut Wisanjit, Director-General of the Department of Land Transport (DLT) and Chairman of the SRT Board, revealed that the board has approved the construction of three double-track railway routes, totaling 678 kilometers (km) in length, with a combined budget of approximately 164 billion baht.
The routes include:
1. Chumphon-Surat Thani section, 168 km, with a budget of 30.422 billion baht.
2. Surat Thani-Hat Yai Junction-Songkhla section, 321 km, with a budget of 66.270 billion baht.
3. Denchai-Chiang Mai section, 189 km, with a budget of 68.222 billion baht.
The plan is to submit all three routes to the Ministry of Transport by June, followed by submission to the Cabinet for approval between July and October 2024.
"The government will bear the entire cost of the project, with the Budget Bureau allocating annual budgets or the Ministry of Finance providing domestic loans and loan guarantees as appropriate. All three projects will require approval from the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC). In addition, the SRT will expedite the request for approval of the draft Royal Decree specifying the land to be expropriated, which will be submitted to the Office of the Council of State for consideration," said Mr. Chirut.
He added that the bidding process for all three projects is expected to begin as early as November 2024, with construction starting in 2025. The Surat Thani-Hat Yai Junction-Songkhla and Denchai-Chiang Mai sections are expected to take 72 months (approximately 6 years) to complete, while the Chumphon-Surat Thani section will take 60 months (approximately 5 years).
The overall budget for the three projects has increased by approximately 20 billion baht from the original estimate due to current cost calculations, including:
1. Fuel costs.
2. Factor F, indirect costs such as insurance, interest, and taxes, calculated by the Comptroller General's Department.
3. Land expropriation costs.
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) board has approved three final double-track railway projects, with a combined investment of over 164 billion baht. The projects will be submitted to the Ministry of Transport this month, before seeking feedback from the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) on funding options. The SRT is confident that bidding for the projects will open this year.
Details of the Projects:
1. Chumphon - Surat Thani: 168.2 km, 30.42 billion baht
2. Surat Thani - Songkhla: 321 km, 66.27 billion baht
3. Den Chai - Chiang Mai: 189 km, 68.22 billion baht
Timeline:
* June 2024: Projects submitted to the Ministry of Transport
* July-October 2024: Projects submitted to the Cabinet for approval
* November 2024 - August 2025: Land expropriation
* May 2025: Completion of land survey and appraisal
* June 2026 - May 2027: Land ownership transfer
* November 2024: Start of TOR preparation for construction bidding
* May 2025: Completion of bidding process
* June 2025: Start of construction
* 2030: Expected completion and opening of service
Other Notes:
* These are the final three projects in the second phase of the SRT's double-track railway development plan.
* The SRT is preparing to open bidding for the Khon Kaen - Nong Khai section, the first project in the second phase, in July 2024.
* The total investment for the three projects has increased from the initial estimate of 148 billion baht to 164 billion baht due to factors such as higher oil prices, updated calculations of indirect costs, and increased land expropriation costs.
ทางคู่ลอตสุดท้ายผ่านบอร์ดแต่ยังขาดรถโดยสารบริการ
Source - เดลินิวส์
Thursday, June 20, 2024 05:08
The final lot of double-track railway projects has been approved by the board, but there is still a lack of passenger trains to service the lines.
Source - Daily News
Thursday, June 20, 2024 05:08
Mr. Chirut Wisanjit, Director-General of the Department of Land Transport (DLT) and Chairman of the Board of the State Railway of Thailand (SRT), revealed that the SRT board has approved the construction of three double-track railway lines, totaling 678 kilometers in length, with a combined budget of approximately 164 billion baht. The projects include:
1. Chumphon-Surat Thani section, 168 km, budget of 30.422 billion baht.
2. Surat Thani-Hat Yai Junction-Songkhla section, 321 km, budget of 66.270 billion baht.
3. Denchai-Chiang Mai section, 189 km, budget of 68.222 billion baht.
The proposal is expected to be submitted to the Ministry of Transport within June 2024, before being presented to the Cabinet for approval around July-October 2024.
Mr. Chirut further stated that the bidding process for all three projects is expected to commence around November 2024, with construction starting in 2025. The Surat Thani-Hat Yai Junction-Songkhla and Denchai-Chiang Mai sections are expected to take 72 months (approximately 6 years) to complete, while the Chumphon-Surat Thani section is expected to take 60 months (approximately 5 years).
Additionally, the SRT board has urged the SRT to expedite the procurement of 184 air-conditioned diesel railcars and spare parts, as this is crucial for the SRT's operations. The Ministry of Transport has also emphasized the importance of this matter, as having double-track lines without trains to serve the public would be pointless.
Source: Daily News Newspaper, June 21, 2024 (Afternoon Edition)
SRT board greenlights final phase 2 double-track railway projects on 3 routes: Chumphon-Surat Thani, Surat Thani-Songkhla, and Denchai-Chiang Mai, with a total budget of 164 billion baht. The projects will be proposed to the Cabinet for approval between July and October of this year.
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