High-speed rail in Thailand

[Mongwin]

SRT Addresses High-Speed Rail Concerns at Ayutthaya Station, Sets Phase 2 Bidding for Early 2026

Ayutthaya, Thailand- The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) is preparing for the arrival of UNESCO experts who will be assessing the impact of the Thai-Chinese high-speed rail project on the Ayutthaya Historical Park, a World Heritage Site.

The experts are scheduled to visit the site between January 18-22, 2025, to review the Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) report, focusing on the construction of the Ayutthaya high-speed train station. Their role is to provide advice and technical perspectives on preserving the heritage site's value, not to authorize or deny the station's construction. The SRT maintains that the project remains on track as UNESCO has not prohibited the station, only requested the HIA report.

Meanwhile, the SRT is moving forward with the project. Contract 4-5, covering the 13.3 km Ban Pho-Phra Kaeo section of the Bangkok-Nakhon Ratchasima high-speed rail line (Phase 1), is expected to be signed soon with contractor Boonchai Panich (1979) Co., Ltd. This follows a recent shift in oversight of the SRT to Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit.

Regarding the operation of the entire Bangkok-Nong Khai high-speed rail line (over 700 km), the government plans to utilize a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model similar to the Purple Line, with an estimated budget of 80 billion baht. This PPP approach aims to allow the government to control fares, as demonstrated with the 20 baht flat fare policy for the Purple Line. The proposal is currently under review by relevant agencies, including the Budget Bureau, which has given its approval. Feedback is still pending from the Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) and the Ministry of Finance.

Once all feedback is received, the Ministry of Transport will submit the proposal to the Cabinet for consideration. This submission will also include the Phase 2 high-speed rail project, connecting Nakhon Ratchasima to Nong Khai (357.12 km, 341 billion baht budget). Cabinet approval is expected soon, with bidding for Phase 2 anticipated to open in mid-2025 and service commencing around 2027. Bidding for the operation of the entire line is expected to begin in early 2026.

https://www.thaipost.net/economy-news/700872/