นอกจากนี้จะเดินหน้าในเรื่องด้านการถ่ายทอดทางเทคโนโลยีรถไฟและรถไฟความเร็วสูงจากต่างประเทศ ซึ่งปัจจุบันกระทรวงคมนาคมได้จัดตั้งสถาบันวิจัยและพัฒนาเทคโนโลยีระบบราง (สทร.) ขึ้นเป็นหน่วยงานกลางสำหรับถ่ายทอดเทคโนโลยี ทดสอบและรับรองชิ้นส่วน รวมทั้งสนับสนุนศูนย์ซ่อมบำรุงรถไฟความเร็วสูงที่สถานีเชียงรากน้อย โดยอยู่ระหว่างจัดทำร่างบันทึกความร่วมมือ (MOU) กับ China State Railway Group Co., Ltd.
CP Accepts Joint Thai-Chinese Railway Structure; UNESCO Approval Pending for Ayutthaya Construction
Manager Online May 2, 2024, 16:30
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Suriya Juangroongruangkit confirms CP's acceptance of the joint Thai-Chinese high-speed railway structure. Project officials await UNESCO approval for construction around the Ayutthaya World Heritage Site. They project completion of the first phase by 2028 and will discuss further aspects at the upcoming 31st Joint Committee meeting in Beijing on May 8th.
May 2, 2024 At a recent executive committee meeting, Suriya Juangroongruangkit, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, discussed the progress of the Thai-China high-speed railway project. Phase 1 (Bangkok-Nakhon Ratchasima), a 250-kilometer stretch, has seen the successful completion of 2 out of 14 construction contracts. An additional 10 contracts are ongoing, and 2 await signatures. Overall progress is estimated at 32.31%, with an expected completion date in 2028.
Two unsigned contracts in Phase 1 involve the Ayutthaya section and its associated World Heritage Site concerns. The Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning (ONEP) will submit a Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) report to UNESCO for review; an outcome is expected within 2-3 months.
Regarding the Bang Sue-Don Mueang section, Asia Era One Company Limited (CP) has confirmed its participation as a builder, facilitating the project's continuation.
The meeting also addressed the project's Phase 2 (Nakhon Ratchasima-Nong Khai), its connection to Laos (projected for 2030), and the development of the Nong Khai Natha train station as an international freight hub. Officials proposed a joint management model echoing the successful Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge project.
Additional discussions focused on railway technology transfer from China, with Thailand's Ministry of Transport setting up the Railway Technology Research and Development Institute (RTA) for the process. An MOU draft with China's State Railway Group Co., Ltd is in progress.
This Joint Committee meeting aims to propel Thai-Chinese railway cooperation, enhancing regional economic ties and connectivity.
"Suriya" discusses with representatives of the Kunming government to promote cooperation in rail-land transportation.
Economic News Saturday, May 18, 2024, 11:05 InfoQuest News Agency (IQ)
Mr. Suriya Juangroongruangkit, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, met with Mr. Liu Hongjian, Executive Committee of the Communist Party of Yunnan Province and Secretary of the Communist Party of Kunming Municipality, and his delegation. They discussed promoting cooperation in transport between Thailand and Kunming, focusing on the development of the Thai-China railway network, the Road 3 Asia (R3A) road link, and facilitating border crossings between Thailand and China. Mr. Chayatham Phromsorn, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transport, and relevant agencies also participated in the discussion.
Mr. Suriya stated that during this meeting, there was an exchange of opinions to promote cooperation on the Thailand-China high-speed rail project and the development of links between Thailand, Lao PDR, and China. This is key to enhancing cooperation in transportation and logistics in the Mekong Subregion. Projects discussed include the construction of the Pan-Asia Railway Central Line (Kunming - Bohan - Vientiane - Bangkok - Kuala Lumpur - Singapore) and the Singapore - Kunming Railway (SKRL) under the Belt and Road Initiative. The high-speed rail project, Phase 1 (Bangkok - Nakhon Ratchasima section), currently under construction, is expected to open in 2026. Phase 2 (Nakhon Ratchasima - Nong Khai section) is in the process of environmental impact assessment and is expected to open in 2030. Additionally, the double track railway project (Khon Kaen - Nong Khai section), covering approximately 167 kilometers with 15 stations, is expected to open in 2027.
Regarding the new bridge construction project across the Mekong River (Nong Khai - Vientiane), the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has requested budget allocation for the detailed design and EIA report in 2024. They suggested studying the possibility of using loans from financial institutions or international cooperation organizations for the construction of the new railway line and bridge across the Mekong River (Nong Khai - Vientiane) connecting Vientiane South Station of Lao PDR and Natha Station of Thailand. This cooperation model follows the successful 4th Thai - Lao Friendship Bridge project (Chiang Khong - Huai Sai), which was jointly funded by Thailand and the People's Republic of China.
Mr. Suriya also emphasized support for developing the R3A road link, the shortest land route for transporting goods from Thailand to southern China, connecting through key points in Thailand, Lao PDR, and China over approximately 1,800 kilometers. This route is crucial for Thailand's export sector, especially for agricultural products like fresh fruits (e.g., durian, mangosteen, longan), which primarily use land transportation via the R3A route. Thailand has continuously supported and developed this route since the project's inception.
Furthermore, the Chiang Khong freight transport center has been constructed around the 4th Thai - Lao Friendship Bridge in Chiang Rai Province. This center aims to support the import and export volume of containerized and packaged goods between Western China and various regions, thereby enhancing the R3A road link and the North - South Economic Corridor under the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) cooperation. This will create economic and social benefits for the area, fostering sustainability.
การเปิดให้บริการรถไฟสายนี้ถือเป็นความสำเร็จครั้งสำคัญของความร่วมมือระหว่างการรถไฟแห่งประเทศไทย (รฟท.) และรัฐวิสาหกิจรถไฟแห่งชาติลาว(Lao National Railway State Enterprise: LNRE) ที่ได้ร่วมกันผลักดันโครงการพัฒนาโครงข่ายทางรถไฟเชื่อมโยงระหว่างสองประเทศมาอย่างต่อเนื่อง ซึ่งจะเป็นการยกระดับการคมนาคมขนส่งทางรางในภูมิภาคลุ่มแม่น้ำโขงให้มีความทันสมัยและมีประสิทธิภาพมากยิ่งขึ้น
"Thailand-Laos" Strengthens Relations, Develops Transportation System, Accelerates Construction of the 2nd Friendship Bridge to Open in 2032 | Daily News
Source - Daily News Website
Friday, July 19, 2024, 18:18
"Thailand-Laos" strengthens cooperation to develop transportation between the two countries, accelerating the construction of the 2nd Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge (Nong Khai-Vientiane) to open in 2032. Plans are underway to open five more international bus routes, with services for the Bangkok-Vientiane railway.
On July 19, at the Ministry of Public Works and Transport in Vientiane, Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), Mr. Surapong Piyachot, Deputy Minister of Transport, revealed that a meeting was held to discuss transportation cooperation between Thailand and Laos. This included connecting international rail systems, facilitating cross-border road transport, and developing human resources in the transportation sector.
The foundation was laid for strong and sustainable cooperation between Thailand and Lao PDR in jointly developing infrastructure and transportation systems. One of the key outcomes of this meeting is the official launch of the Bangkok Apiwat-Vientiane (Khamsawat) international railway route on July 20, 2027, marking a historic rail link between the two countries.
Previously, there was only a 3.5 km railway section from Nong Khai to Tha Na Laeng. Thailand later assisted Lao PDR in constructing an additional 7.5 km of railway from Tha Na Laeng to Vientiane (Khamsawat) with a 1.000-meter track gauge. There will be four daily train services: two between Bangkok and Vientiane and two between Vientiane and Udon Thani.
Mr. Surapong continued that the launch of this international railway service demonstrates the commitment of both countries to developing an efficient, convenient, and safe railway system. This will promote travel and transportation between the two nations, boosting trade, investment, and tourism, which is valued at over five times the travel cost, thereby strengthening Thai-Lao relations.
The success of this railway service is a significant achievement of the cooperation between the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) and the Lao National Railway State Enterprise (LNRE), who have continuously driven the development of a rail network connecting the two countries. This will modernize and enhance rail transport in the Mekong region.
Mr. Surapong also mentioned that the meeting discussed the progress of the construction of the 2nd Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge (Nong Khai-Vientiane), another significant cooperation project between the two countries. This project includes constructing a railway bridge with a 1.435-meter standard gauge track and a 1-meter track to increase the capacity for cross-border traffic and goods transport. SRT is currently studying the detailed design and environmental impact assessment, and Thailand has requested Lao PDR's cooperation in facilitating surveys and data collection on the Lao side to ensure comprehensive and efficient project studies, aiming for completion in 2032. The meeting agreed to jointly develop the construction of the second railway bridge across the Mekong River.
Regarding road transport, the meeting acknowledged the regulatory improvements to facilitate smoother cross-border and transit transport, significantly reducing logistics obstacles for cross-border goods transport.
Additionally, both sides discussed resuming international bus services on the remaining five routes out of 13, requesting Lao PDR to consider the Chiang Rai-Bokeo route and extend it to Luang Namtha as the first route. Preparations are also underway to open the 5th Friendship Bridge (Bueng Kan-Pakxan) to facilitate travel for citizens and tourists between the two countries. Thailand proposed close cooperation to resolve issues and obstacles to resume services quickly.
Mr. Surapong also noted that SRT is constructing a new railway line from Ban Phai to Nakhon Phanom and preparing to construct a double-track railway from Khon Kaen to Nong Khai, expected to be completed around 2028. Additionally, two more projects will be proposed to the Cabinet for approval: the double-track railway construction from Chira Junction to Ubon Ratchathani, expected to be completed in 2032, and the high-speed railway from Nakhon Ratchasima to Nong Khai, expected to be completed in 2033. Lao PDR is requested to consider developing supporting infrastructure to promote tourism, trade, and investment between the two countries.
"Surapong" proposes to cabinet approval of high-speed rail Phase 2, to be completed in 2029
Manager Daily 360 - "Surapong" tests riding the "Lao-China Railway" to observe cross-border procedures. Meanwhile, he aims to propose to the cabinet this year approval of "Thai-China High-Speed Rail" Phase 2, with an investment of 340 billion baht, to proceed with construction bidding connecting Nakhon Ratchasima-Nong Khai. The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) allocates a budget of 125 million baht to expedite the design of a new railway bridge across the Mekong, while negotiating with Laos to plan the route connecting to "Vientiane South Station", to be completed in 2029.
Mr. Surapong Piyachot, Deputy Minister of Transport, revealed that from July 21-23, 2024, he and relevant agencies, including the Department of Rail Transport (DRT) and the State Railway of Thailand (SRT), visited Yunnan Province, People's Republic of China, traveling by Lao-China Railway. In addition to strengthening transport relations and cooperation between Thailand and China, it was also to study procedures for facilitating railway immigration between Laos and China, to be applied in Thailand.
The Lao-China Railway train D88 from Luang Prabang Station took about 1 hour to reach Boten Railway Station, located in the Boten Special Economic Zone, Luang Namtha Province, northern Laos. This special economic zone is situated on Road R3A, an important transportation route connecting Laos and China. Boten Railway Station is part of a major railway line linking Vientiane Capital of Laos with Kunming City, Yunnan Province of China, located just about 8 kilometers from the Lao-China border. It is considered a strategic point for goods transportation and passenger travel between the two countries.
Currently, the Lao-China Railway project from Vientiane Capital Station to Boten Station, covering 414 kilometers, connects with the Chinese railway from Boten Station to Kunming South Station, covering 1,022 kilometers. The railway connection between the two countries is in the form of a tunnel structure, as the border of the two countries lies between Boten Station (Laos) and Mohan Station (China), requiring immigration procedures at both stations.
Mr. Surapong spoke about the progress of the cooperation project between the governments of Thailand and China in developing a high-speed rail system to connect the region, from Bangkok to Nong Khai (Phase 2, Nakhon Ratchasima-Nong Khai section), covering 357.12 km with a total investment of 341,351.42 million baht. SRT will present it to the SRT Board for consideration on July 25, 2024, again after the board previously had additional comments. After board approval, the Ministry of Transport will submit it for cabinet approval to proceed with construction bidding this year. According to the plan, construction and service launch are expected in 2029-2030.
Meanwhile, Thailand and Laos have discussed the construction of the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge No. 2 (Nong Khai-Vientiane), which will connect the high-speed rail from Nong Khai Station to Vientiane South Station. It will involve constructing a standard-gauge (1.435 meter) double-track railway bridge for high-speed trains and another meter-gauge double track to accommodate current trains, increasing capacity for international travel and goods transportation.
Currently, SRT has received a budget of 125 million baht for 2024 to expedite the detailed design study and environmental impact assessment over 12 months. The Thai side has requested Laos to facilitate surveys and data collection on the Lao side for a comprehensive and efficient project study. Construction will be according to the Thai-Lao agreement, with costs split equally. It is expected to be constructed and completed in 2029, enabling high-speed rail travel from Bangkok Grand Central Station-Nakhon Ratchasima-Nong Khai-Vientiane South.
Source: Manager Daily 360 Degrees Newspaper, July 23, 2024 edition.
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