**EEC Pins Development of TODs at 2 High-Speed Rail Stations this Year: Pattaya and Chachoengsao**
**Source - IQ Infoquest News Agency**
**Friday, September 06, 2024 18:18**
Mr. Chula Sukmanop, Secretary-General of the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) Policy Committee, revealed that the EEC is closely monitoring the progress of projects within the EEC, including the development of the High-Speed Rail connecting three airports. This project includes 9 stations, and the EEC will develop Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) areas around these stations to create infrastructure that benefits the community and society.
The EEC has prepared land-use plans around the stations in the Special Economic Promotion Zone to accommodate 2 stations in 2024:
* **Chachoengsao Station TOD:** Covering 321 rai, with 9 development projects planned, and an investment of approximately 18.98 billion baht. The development phases include:
* **Immediate:** Transfer Support Center
* **Short-term (5 years):** Modern retail business center, community shops (OTOP), and high-quality residential buildings and home offices.
* **Long-term (10 years):** Residential projects for the elderly and hotels in commercial areas.
* **Pattaya Station TOD:** Covering 280 rai, with 7 development projects planned, and an investment of approximately 46 billion baht. The development phases include:
* **Short-term (1-5 years):** Mixed-Use Complex Integrated Transport Facility (ITF)
* **Long-term (6-10 years):** New commercial residential development and a Meeting, Incentive, Convention, and Exhibition (MICE) center.
The EEC has gathered opinions on the TOD development approach to ensure the participation of government agencies, private sectors in the area, and nearby communities. Over 80% are interested in joining the project. Currently, they are waiting to propose the (draft) land-use plan around the stations of the High-Speed Rail project to the EEC Policy Committee for approval. It is expected to be presented to the Cabinet according to the next steps.
**UTA Expects to Start Construction of U-Tapao Airport in Early 2025**
Regarding the U-Tapao Airport and Eastern Aviation City development project, progress has been made on the government side. The first part of the project area, approximately 3,550 rai, has been handed over to the private sector (UTA). Preparations for air traffic services are underway, with Aeronautical Radio of Thailand Ltd. (AEROTHAI) granting permission to use the area for the construction of a 59-meter-high air traffic control tower and a Communication, Navigation, Surveillance/Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) system building. The design is currently complete.
The construction of the second runway and taxiway by the Royal Thai Navy is in the process of selecting a contractor and construction supervision consultant. Construction will begin in early 2025 and is expected to be completed within 2028.
Regarding utilities within the airport, the electricity and chilled water systems are 26.48% complete, with the solar power plant construction at 95.13% and system testing has begun. For the water supply and wastewater treatment system, water production is 100% complete according to plan. The aviation fuel service system and fuel depot construction are also progressing according to plan, with an overall progress of 50.84%.
On the private sector side (UTA), it is expected that the Notice to Proceed (NTP) for construction can be issued by early 2025 to begin major construction works such as the third passenger terminal building, secondary concourse, and commercial center. It is anticipated that the U-Tapao Airport development project will be operational in 2029, with a phase accommodating 12 million passengers per year.
The development of U-Tapao Airport will transform it into a regional aviation hub, a world-class international airport that supports the growth of the aviation industry, connects tourism to the business sector, and serves as a regional center for tourism and air transportation. This will build confidence and be a key factor in attracting investors to the EEC.
**Preparing for EECiti's First Phase**
The EEC Business Center and Smart Livable City (EEC Capital City: EECiti) project has received approval from the Eastern Economic Corridor Policy Committee (EECPC) to establish a Special Economic Promotion Zone on an area of approximately 5,795 rai for the first phase of development. It is currently awaiting Cabinet approval for publication in the Royal Gazette. The EEC plans to request an expansion of this zone to cover the entire area of approximately 14,619 rai to accommodate investments in key industrial business clusters and related activities within the project, such as precision medicine and future medicine businesses, BCG businesses, service businesses, tourism and sports, creative economy, as well as international education, research, and development centers, and future financial service centers. It also includes the development of housing for all groups, incorporating smart technology and innovation into city management, and developing green spaces and water resources that meet international standards to create a livable city that is environmentally friendly and elevates the quality of life to world-class standards for residents and the surrounding areas in a sustainable manner.
Mr. Chula stated that the EEC plans to complete compensation payments to those entitled to compensation from the project in the first phase by 2025. The development of EEC Capital City will accelerate the development of infrastructure and utilities, coordinating with the Royal Irrigation Department and the Provincial Waterworks Authority to ensure adequate water supply within the project. Coordination with the Department of Highways and the Department of Rural Roads will also take place for the design and construction of road networks both outside and connecting within the project to prepare for private sector investment in target business areas within the project. The EEC plans to open for private sector participation in the development through Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) to invest in infrastructure and utilities in late 2025, and it is expected that construction can begin within 2026.
There are also plans to establish an EEC Holding-style City Development Company to jointly manage and develop EEC Capital City in the Huai Yai sub-district of Chonburi province. In the future, it will be a central business district and a model smart livable city with international standards that will accommodate investments totaling approximately 1.34 trillion baht, create at least 200,000 direct jobs, and have an employment value of over 1.2 trillion baht. It is expected that the initial phase of the entire area development will be operational by 2029, coinciding with the completion of the High-Speed Rail connecting three airports and the U-Tapao Airport project.
This October, "Boonchai Panich" will sign a contract to build "Ayutthaya Station" and open PPP for the entire route.
Daily News, September 9, 2024, 7:31 AM
This October, "Boonchai Panich" will sign contracts for sections 4-5 between Ban Pho and Phra Kaew. HIA approval or not, "Ayutthaya High-Speed Rail Station" must be built. Everything has been done to avoid impacting the World Heritage Site. UNESCO has not opposed the construction, just requested data confirmation. SRT is ready to issue NTP to the private sector within 2 months, with construction starting at the end of this year. The target is still to open the service in 2027. SRT is preparing a 6-month study on high-speed rail operations, with results expected in March 2025. Phase 2 to Nong Khai will continue, with the matter being submitted to the Cabinet in October for auction at the end of this year.
Mr. Surapong Piyachoti, Deputy Minister of Transport, revealed that after following up on the overall progress of the high-speed rail project (Phase 1) Bangkok-Nakhon Ratchasima section, it was found that the progress of each contract was not consistent throughout the project. Some contracts had made significant progress, while others had made very little progress, which needed to be addressed, especially the problem of contractors lacking liquidity. He will set up a working group to discuss with those responsible for the construction and the contractors of all 14 contracts to solve problems, integrate work together, and push for progress and completion on schedule.
Mr. Surapong continued that he was confident that all problems would be solved and the Thai-Chinese high-speed rail project Phase 1 could be completed and opened for service around mid-2027. Currently, the project has 2 contracts completed, 10 contracts under construction, and 2 contracts awaiting signing, namely Contract 4-1 Bang Sue-Don Mueang section, 15.21 kilometers (km), which is awaiting amendment to the joint investment contract for the high-speed rail project connecting three airports (Don Mueang-Suvarnabhumi-U-Tapao) due to overlapping structures.
And contract 4-5, Ban Pho-Phra Kaew section, 13.3 km. Currently, Boonchai Panich (1979) Co., Ltd. is the contractor, but the construction contract cannot be signed yet due to concerns about the construction of a high-speed rail station near the island city of Ayutthaya, a World Heritage Site. The project is currently under consideration for the Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) of the Ayutthaya Historical Park World Heritage Site in connection with the Ayutthaya high-speed rail station, which has now been submitted to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). However, a preliminary review of the information found that UNESCO did not object to the construction of Ayutthaya Station, but only inquired for confirmation of the information.
Mr. Surapong added that in the past, the relevant agencies did not respond to the information for a year, causing UNESCO to be concerned and send a letter of inquiry. Currently, SRT has clarified all the information and is confident that the construction of Ayutthaya Station will not violate the World Heritage status because SRT has tried to eliminate all concerns, including adjusting the size of the station and reducing the height of the rail crest from 19 meters to 17 meters. Moreover, the location of Ayutthaya Station is within the existing railway right-of-way and does not affect the World Heritage Site. Whether the HIA passes or not, SRT must build it because if the route is relocated, it will require additional budget and new details, taking 10 years to complete. However, the Thai-Chinese high-speed rail must have Ayutthaya Station. SRT will sign a contract with the contractor in October 2024, which after announcing the policy to the Parliament, will also inform the Prime Minister that the Ministry of Transport needs to move forward on this matter.
Mr. Surapong also said that for Contract 2.3, the rail system, electrical system, and machinery, including the procurement of trains and personnel training, worth 50,633 million baht, there has not been much progress. The installation of the signaling system must wait for the construction to be completed along the entire route. Meanwhile, the operation of trains along the entire route, both Phase 1 and 2, will be in the form of a Public-Private Partnership (PPP). Whether or not this will be the case, SRT will conduct a study first, which will use a budget of no more than 10 million baht in 2025 to study the train operation model to determine if PPP is necessary. The study is expected to be completed in March 2025.
As for the progress of the Thai-Chinese rail project Phase 2, Nakhon Ratchasima-Nong Khai section, 357.12 km long, worth 341 billion baht, the matter is now with him, but previously during the caretaker period, it could not be proceeded with. The plan is that after the policy announcement to the Parliament in September is completed, the matter will be sent to the Office of the Secretary-General of the Cabinet immediately to seek opinions from relevant agencies. It is expected to be considered by the Cabinet in October and open for bidding at the end of 2024.
Reporters reported that currently, the overall construction of the project's 14 contracts, 357 km long, worth 140 billion baht, has progressed 35.74%, delayed 31.04%. Many contracts have progressed quite a bit, more than 70-80%, while many contracts have progressed very little, less than 10%. For contract 4-5, the private sector still maintains the original price of 10,325 million baht. If the contract can be signed with the private sector in October 2024, it is expected that SRT will issue a Notice to Proceed (NTP) within 2 months after signing the contract to start construction at the end of 2024.
Ayutthaya Station, a Stumbling Block for the Thai-Chinese High-Speed Rail
Surapong Piyachoti, Deputy Minister of Transport, is urging Prime Minister Paetongtarn to sign a contractor agreement in October after UNESCO expressed concerns about the project's impact on the World Heritage site. The goal is to sign contract 4-5 for the Ban Pho - Phra Kaeo section within October.
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
Forum FAQ
Search
Usergroups
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
