SRT Ready for Passengers Returning to Bangkok, Strict Safety Measures in Place for the Public
Manager Online, 2 Jan 2025, 10:39
Mr. Virith Amrapal, Governor of the State Railway of Thailand, revealed that since this morning (Jan 2nd), passengers have been continuously returning to Bangkok in large numbers, both on long-distance trains and commuter trains. The SRT is prepared to accommodate the travel of the public, following the policy of Mr. Suriya Jungrungreangkit, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, to facilitate and ensure the safety of the people strictly.
Overall yesterday (Jan 1st), the SRT arranged 5 special trains to assist with passenger transport and added passenger cars to full capacity on regular trains. The total number of passengers and tourists traveling by train was 106,219, divided into 48,156 outbound passengers and 58,063 inbound passengers. The route with the highest passenger volume was the Southern Line with 35,403 passengers, followed by the Northeastern Line with 26,725 passengers, the Northern Line with 19,710 passengers, the Eastern Line with 12,666 passengers, the Mahachai Line with 10,050 passengers, and the Mae Klong Line with 1,665 passengers.
The SRT has deployed staff to facilitate and provide information at various points for passengers traveling by bus (excluding joint service buses and vans), which drop off inbound passengers at Gate 3 of the Bangkok Apiwat Central Station. Passengers can conveniently connect to other public transportation systems such as the electric train, taxis, or buses. Bus connections are available at Gates 4, 5, and 10, while taxi services are located at Gates 7 and 8 to facilitate convenient and fast connections with public transportation, providing additional travel options for the public.
The SRT prioritizes passenger safety and requests cooperation from all passengers to strictly follow safety measures such as checking luggage before boarding and disembarking trains, not accepting or carrying items from strangers, and refraining from consuming alcohol within station premises and on trains. If any suspicious individuals are encountered, passengers are urged to immediately notify train staff or station personnel. Passengers who wish to travel can inquire for further details at the Customer Service Center, phone number 1690, or the Facebook fan page "Team PR State Railway of Thailand" 24 hours a day.
SRT launches plan to establish locomotive manufacturing plant, using Makkasan area, initial investment of one billion
Source - Prachachat Business website
Friday, January 03, 2025 15:12
SRT announces new S-Curve investment plan, upgrading to a locomotive and train manufacturer, with Thai patents within 2 years from now, eyeing Makkasan as a factory location, initially investing one billion, bringing in Italy as a consultant, and accelerating the Rail Transport Act, opening the way for private sectors to jointly invest in PPP, developing a rail system connecting logistics to industrial estates and ports, to support foreigners flocking to invest in Thailand
Mr. Wirit Amrapal, Governor of the State Railway of Thailand (SRT), revealed to "Prachachat Business" that SRT, the Ministry of Transport, and the Railway Technology Research and Development Institute (Public Organization) are preparing to study a project to have Thailand become a manufacturer of train locomotives, trains, and electric trains, as this is something that Thailand has the potential for and is another new S-Curve that can be done, with the goal not just receiving orders But Thailand must also have a Thai patent. The goal is to have the first Thai patent within 2 years. This announcement to become a manufacturer must not be a trial and error, but must have competitive standards and must be a long-term policy.
# Use Makkasan Factory to build locomotives
In case in the future, in another 5 years, the new policy may not be implemented. So how can we make this plan sustainable? In early 2025, the Makkasan factory area will be used to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and the first locomotive must be seen by the end of 2026, with the largest proportion of local content, which is domestic parts. Initially, it is expected to invest approximately 1 billion baht. In the future, when demand increases, if we have to invest in building a factory, it is expected to cost 2,000-3,000 million baht, which can reduce costs from importing from abroad by 20%.
"We do not want to be slaves to ordering things or things from only a few or not being able to use Thai products at all. For example, we had a plan to offer Chinese trains light bulbs for use in the trains, but we could not do it because they had to use their own products. We want to do both design and production. At first, we may need foreign experts to provide advice. As we discussed, Italy is the only company in the world that can provide advice in this field. Which is expected to be clear in early 2025. We and the Ministry of Industry have already conducted a survey once and found that the entire supply chain can be changed from the automotive parts industry to the production of train parts. The only difficulty is the patent."
# Accelerate the Rail Link Act for Industrial Estates and Ports
In addition, in 2025, in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), the SRT must accelerate the Rail Transport Act to completion because if this law is enacted, it will facilitate the rail system that the private sector will be able to invest in to connect to their own industrial estates.
At the same time, it will be in line with the Map Ta Phut and Laem Chabang Ports Phase 3, which will have rail systems connecting to them, which will certainly result in lower logistics costs, something that the private sector wants and will also help attract investment.
However, the law must not infringe on the rights or powers that the SRT has. The SRT must maintain its responsibilities for Operate work as before, such as train schedules, which are the SRT's responsibility. The rail law must not reduce its power or interfere with the management of train schedules. Or go in to change the time
Since the current train schedule has managed and calculated the number of passengers, duration, origin and destination that are all consistent, the SRT must be given the right to be the Operator. At present, the Rail Transport Act has considered more than 100 of the 160 agendas, so it is expected that we will see clarity or use this law soon.
In addition, we still need to accelerate the project to build an ICD box packing and sorting station (dry port), which is a rail container transport project from Lat Krabang to Laem Chabang Port to be completed. This project is an investment in the form of a PPP. Previously, it was still under study according to the Cabinet resolution and the study results were not conclusive. Next year, it is expected that the study results will be available and it depends on the Cabinet whether to continue or stop here, which is considered a project that has been pending for more than 10 years.
And if the project can be completed within the specified time Thailand, especially the EEC area, will become a complete logistics hub.
# S-Curve industries are flocking to invest in Thailand
The target industries or S-Curve were established since 2017, which will include both those that build on the existing industries in which Thailand is already good at and a leader, plus new industries that use technology and innovation to drive the economy, attracting foreign investment.
If we look at the statistics report of the Board of Investment (BOI), we will find that the number of investment promotion applications in the first 9 months of this year (January-September 2024), the BOI reported that the number of investment promotion applications has continuously increased, with a total of 2,195 projects, an increase of 46% from the previous year, with an investment value of 722,528 million baht, an increase of 42% from the previous year, which was approximately 500,000 million baht.
Most investors stated that Thailand is currently an attractive country for investment in this region, and that this investment request is the highest in 10 years.
Most target industries that are S-Curve are the electronics industry, the digital industry, the automotive and parts industry. The agricultural industry and the petrochemical and chemical industry expect that the total BOI requests in 2025 will exceed 800 billion baht.
## New Governor "Wirat Amrapal" Unveils Top 28 Railway Land Bank Development Treasures
**Source - Prachachat Business Website**
**Sunday, January 05, 2025 10:39**
**Column: Special Interview**
**Author: Metta Tubtim**
One of the best projects of the Paethongtarn Shinawatra government right now is the "Homes for Thai People" project.
Interestingly, even though it is a housing project for low- and middle-income earners, the National Housing Authority is not in charge. Instead, the government chose to use the services of a state enterprise that is a major landholder: the State Railway of Thailand (SRT), which owns 240,000 rai of land across the country.
"Prachachat Business" conducted a special interview with "Wirat Amrapal," Governor of the State Railway of Thailand (SRT). Having just taken the helm of this century-old state enterprise 3-4 months ago, he shared his vision for managing existing assets for maximum efficiency. There's good news for railway employees too, as the organization aims to provide bonuses to boost morale and motivation for everyone working at SRT.
**# 6-Point Vision for Railway Development**
"Governor Wirat" opened the discussion with the land asset management plan for 2025. Since taking office on September 19, 2024, working with executives and railway employees over the first 3 months has revealed opportunities to drive SRT forward with a 6-point vision:
1. Increase revenue
2. Improve services
3. Reduce costs
4. Manage personnel
5. Support, coordinate, monitor, and expedite key infrastructure projects in line with government policies
6. Implement environmental and social projects
To increase revenue, SRT will work with its subsidiary SRTA (which SRT holds 100% of the shares) to promote public-private partnerships (PPP) in high-potential areas. This will involve TOD (Transit Oriented Development) projects around railway and train stations, along with Open Access train operations within the same project to reduce the burden of operating unprofitable routes.
This also includes supporting increased FAR (Floor Area Ratio, according to city planning law, which calculates the ratio of building construction to land size, ranging from 1:5 to 1:10). This will allow SRT to receive higher returns from efficient land development. They will also expedite the management of high-value asset contracts, such as large land plots previously operated through PPP, large vacant land plots, and the development of freight yards and ICDs (Inland Container Depots).
**# Moving Forward with Subsidiary SRTA**
Currently, SRT owns a total of 246,880 rai of land. This is divided into Core Business areas (station areas, offices, railway lines) totaling 201,868 rai and Non-core Business areas (usable for other purposes) totaling 45,012 rai. Of this, 33,761 rai is considered to have commercial potential and can be developed to create added value.
Previously, the Cabinet, on September 29, 2023, approved the establishment of a subsidiary company to manage SRT's assets. SRT registered this subsidiary, SRT Asset Co., Ltd. or SRTA, on April 30, 2024, to efficiently manage SRT's assets. All assets remain 100% owned by SRT, but the subsidiary can generate more revenue from asset management, benefiting industry, economy, society, and the environment, in line with the national strategy for revenue generation and competitiveness enhancement.
On November 5, 2024, SRT officially handed over 12,233 lease contracts and the management of commercial areas to SRTA, covering over 38,469 rai of land. The emphasis is that all assets remain 100% owned by SRT.
**# Scanning the Land Bank Treasures**
For the development plan of 28 large land plots, SRTA has initially prepared a 3-phase area development plan:
* **Urgent plan for 2025 (3 plots):**
1. Bang Sue-Khlong Tan Project (RCA)
2. Sila At Sub-plot
3. Bang Sue Area (Plot A2) Transportation Station
* **Urgent plan for 2025 (5 plots):**
1. Ratchaprarop Station Project (Plot OA)
2. Phaholyothin Road (corner of Or Tor Kor Market)
3. Nong Khai Station Area (Plot 5)
4. Nong Khai Station Area (Plot 7)
5. Khlong San Market
* **Medium-term plan between 2026-2029 (18 plots):**
1. Mae Nam Station Area Project
2. Bang Sue Station Area (Plot D)
3. Bang Sue Km.11 Area (Plot G2-G8)
4. Tha Nun Area
5. Bang Sue Area (Plot E1)
6. Bang Sue Area (Plot A2) Transportation Station
7. Makkasan Station Area (Plot B C E)
8. Hat Yai Junction Area (Plot D)
9. Sala Nam Ron Market (Thonburi Station)
10. Bang Sue Station Area (Plot C)
11. Bang Sue (Plot A1) SRT Head Office
12. Bang Sue Area (Plot A3-5)
13. Khon Kaen Area Development (Plot B C D)
14. Bang Sue Area (Plot E2)
15. Hat Yai Junction Area (Plot E)
16. Ubon Ratchathani Station Area
17. Sila At Area Development Project (124 rai)
18. Nakhon Ratchasima Station Area (Plot E)
* **Long-term plan between 2030-2034 (9 plots):**
1. Thonburi Area Development Project (21 rai)
2. Hat Yai Junction Area (Plot A F G)
3. Bangkok Station Area (Hua Lamphong)
4. Bang Sue Station Area (Plot F)
5. Bang Sue Station Area (Plot B)
6. Nong Khai Market Stop Area
7. Bang Sue Station Area (Plot H)
8. Bang Sue Station Area (Plot I)
9. Nakhon Ratchasima Station Area (Plot F)
**# Driving the Railway Towards Sustainability**
The service development plan focuses on integrating technology related to train operations, including a Command Center. It will promote SRT through various media channels, offer promotional discounts to target customer groups, increase train frequency for medium distances (250-400 km radius), accelerate the conversion of ordinary passenger cars to air-conditioned ones, expand the luxury Royal Blossom train project, and push for a joint ticketing system with other modes of transportation to align with passenger travel behavior.
The cost reduction policy involves assigning various tasks to the subsidiary and collaborating with specialized private companies to increase work efficiency. It supports domestically manufactured products for parts production and maintenance, and explores the suitability of modern technology.
Another crucial aspect is personnel management. This involves improving organizational culture and the approach to appointments and transfers to ensure fairness and ethical practices. It aims to create a technologically advanced organization with a good image and its own R&D department to attract talented young people and develop more efficient SRT personnel through collaboration with professional qualification institutions and universities.
SRT also supports, coordinates, monitors, and expedites key infrastructure projects in line with government policies. This includes projects like the High-Speed Rail Linking Three Airports, the Bangkok-Korat-Nong Khai High-Speed Rail, Phase 1 and 2 of the Double-Track Railway Construction, new railway line construction, and the Red Line Suburban Railway Extension.
Regarding the environment and society, SRT is studying and developing rail systems with green innovation, modifying trains to reduce carbon monoxide emissions, and pursuing sustainable development. This includes utilizing SRT land for clean energy sources and transforming old railway stations into museums for learning and new tourist destinations.
The plan to adjust fare rates is currently in the process of gathering relevant data, including ways to improve SRT services to minimize the impact on users. This utilizes research from relevant agencies, considering affordability, satisfaction, etc.
**# A Little More Effort for Railway Employee Bonuses**
"In 2025, SRT and SRTA will work in parallel. SRT will work on delegating authority and adjusting rules and regulations to enable SRTA to work more smoothly. According to the plan, this will be brought to the SRT board meeting in January, along with the matter of the Terms of Reference (TOR) for lease contracts, which need to be expedited and completed within March-April 2025. SRTA has already started various projects, engaged in discussions with private companies, and has plans for leasing large plots. Looking at the 28 plots where SRT has large land holdings, the work timeline is divided into 7 pilot projects, with an effort to achieve 4 plots as the target for 2025."
A highlight of "Governor Wirat's" agenda also includes discussions with the State Enterprise Policy Office (SEPO) of the Ministry of Finance. He presented a new model for evaluating the performance of SRT as a state enterprise, requesting an adjustment to the criteria used to measure performance indicators. Instead of focusing on the number of land plots where projects have been initiated, he proposed considering revenue (monetary value) instead.
"SEPO has a KPI evaluation for state enterprises with a full score of 5 and an average score of 3. For fiscal year 2024, I understand that the railway achieved 4.3 billion baht in rental services (land lease contracts). For fiscal year 2025, SEPO set the average value at 3. From our discussions, we need to convey this average value to SRTA. A score of 3 is at 4.47 billion baht. If the score is 5, it means generating revenue of 5 billion baht or more. Therefore, SRTA should aim for 5 billion baht or more (smiles)."
"Let me give you an example. The Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT) has consistently scored 4 or higher, resulting in bonuses at the end of the year. But when I asked about the railway's bonuses in the past, the answer was that they never received any. This is what we are trying to do to boost the morale of railway employees. We want them to start receiving bonuses, even if it's just 1-2 months. That means the score must be 3.5 or higher. The latest year was at 2.8, this year we only increased it by 0.7."
The perspective is that the evaluation score for fiscal year 2023 was 2.6, and the latest for fiscal year 2024 is 2.7, so the score trend is improving. Upon closer inspection, it was found that what SRT has achieved is good. However, the low KPI score is partly due to external factors not originating from the railway, such as delays in the High-Speed Rail Linking Three Airports project and the Lat Krabang ITD project, which have not yet been implemented.
"For this fiscal year 2025, I went to SEPO and asked them to evaluate the sub-pack or the subcommittee that oversees and supervises. In any case, I asked them to consider the principle that the set criteria are achievable. For example, to complete a PPP within this year, I asked if they could do it, complete a PPP in that year (laughs). Normally, opening a bidding process for public-private partnerships (PPP) takes at least 1 year and a half, or at least 2 years. Many government projects, as we see in the EEC, take 4-5 years, and some haven't even started after 10 years. Therefore, we said let's be realistic and tried to negotiate for the railway people."
**# Plugging into Locomotive Production for a New S-Curve**
Finally, "Governor Wirat" shared what will happen in early 2025. SRT is in discussions with the Ministry of Transport, the Rail System Research Institute, and SEPO to study the feasibility of building locomotives domestically. He believes this is a path Thailand can take, as the country is currently experiencing an S-curve. While locomotive construction may not be considered a target industry or part of the S-curve, perhaps no one thought that building locomotives and train carriages domestically would be possible. Today, SRT aims to make it a reality.
"What we will do is not just take orders and fulfill them for various companies. We will work in a way that includes Intellectual Property and patent registration. We will not do trial and error or produce substandard work. We will do things that meet standards and can compete. However, we are considering how to make it sustainable. It is possible that we start today, and in five years, there might be a change and we stop (due to a change in SRT Governor). Therefore, we want to ensure sustainability from design, construction, to production. We want to be able to build everything, from locomotives and passenger carriages to railway bogies and electric trains."
Step one of the locomotive construction project will involve bringing in foreign experts as consultants. Initially, it is understood that there is only one company in the world that can be a consultant in this manner, an Italian company. This will be a collaborative project between the Ministry of Transport, the Rail System Research Institute, and SEPO, with SRT as a key partner due to its facilities, production plants, and repair centers.
"The locomotive production project has already undergone a preliminary survey. The industry has also conducted surveys on locomotive production and other aspects. We believe it can be converted from the existing supply chain in Thailand. If you look at an actual train, there aren't that many parts, but it depends on patents. It seems simple, but it comes from extensive testing and experimentation until foreign companies own the patents. Therefore, we are learning and using this (know-how and patents) as our information."
The new SRT Governor shared his thoughts after visiting Turkey, which has a similar initiative to Thailand. Turkey wants to "abolish slavery," meaning that buying a train puts them in debt and "enslaves" them to the patent holder for 30-40 years. This is because purchasing spare parts, computers, and converter systems depends entirely on the patent holder. It's not exactly a monopoly, as there are only 4-5 train and electric train patent holders in the world, but they collude on pricing. Therefore, there are no prices lower than those offered by these 4-5 companies.
"Turkey thinks similarly to us. They brought in experts to teach and design. Once the design is complete, it becomes our patent, and we can manufacture it. Today, Turkey has become a locomotive manufacturer for Alstom and China, producing and selling back to Thailand. For example, the trains of the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) are manufactured in Turkey. Why don't we do it, when we have a more extensive supply chain for auto parts manufacturing than Turkey? I've heard that we produce light bulbs for sale to China. Can you use Thai light bulbs? No, you have to use Chinese light bulbs. Can this be called a slave contract? Light bulbs, fans, air conditioners, every nut and bolt, everything has to be theirs. Can't we produce it in Thailand?"
"Governor Wirat's" big dream, proposed to SEPO, is to see the first locomotive manufactured in Thailand within 2 years, or by the end of 2026. The initial investment is estimated at 1 billion baht, but compared to the number of locomotives Thailand needs, it is considered worthwhile. At the very least, the cost per unit will be reduced by 20%, and in the future, the cost will decrease proportionally.
"With this project, we are trying to leave something behind for the railway. Whatever the outcome, that's it."
**Suriya Pushes Ahead with Plans for a Rail Component Manufacturing Facility**
**Source**: Thai Post
**Monday, January 6, 2025, 05:06**
Ratchadamnoen Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, Mr. Suriya Juangroongruangkit, revealed that with the ongoing expansion of rail networks and double-track rail routes, along with new double-track railway projects, high-speed rail, suburban (Red Line) extensions, and others, there is a rising need for additional locomotives and rolling stock to support the growing rail services. At the same time, there is a shortage of personnel in rail-related agencies. As such, the Ministry of Transport must boost the production rate of personnel, trains, and equipment.
To support the master plan for the growth of the rail-based mass transit system, the Ministry of Transport has assigned the Rail Technology Research and Development Institute (RTRDI) to lead the initiative in transferring international standard railway technology from abroad. This involves collaboration with the State Railway of Thailand (SRT), the Ministry of Industry, and other relevant agencies. The initial target, set for 2026, includes the production of prototype railway components:
1. Locomotives
2. Passenger carriages
3. Diesel railcars
4. Freight wagons
These components will adhere to European standards to enable future export opportunities and enhance the capacity of automotive industry operators to transition into railway manufacturing.
Additionally, RTRDI is focusing on developing curricula for rail system personnel and transferring knowledge related to high-speed rail technology. It also plans to conduct training programs for those in the rail industry. These initiatives aim to strengthen the country's rail workforce, a critical element in advancing and sustaining rail technology development in the future. The results of these personnel development efforts are expected to materialize within the next two years.
จากรายงานการศึกษา ของ SRTA ระบุว่า โครงการบ้านเพื่อคนไทย มีวัตถุประสงค์เพื่อเพิ่มอัตราการมีที่อยู่อาศัยของคนไทย ที่ปัจจุบันประเทศไทยประสบปัญหาการชะลอตัวของเศรษฐกิจ ทำให้คนไทยมีกำลังซื้อลดลงลง รวมถึงโอกาสในการครอบครองที่อยู่อาศัย โดยมุ่งกลุ่มช่วงวัยเริ่มทำงาน กลุ่มวัยทำงาน Gen X และ Gen Y ที่ถือเป็นกำลังหลักในการขับเคลื่อนประเทศ
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