Governor of the Railway Authority of Thailand (SRT) believes that the Southern Line double-track railway project is an important mechanism for developing the Thai-Malaysian border.
MGR Online 18 Feb 2025 15:10 By:
Mr. Veeris Ammarapala, Governor of the State Railway of Thailand, revealed that in the meeting to monitor the development of transportation infrastructure To support the economy, tourism and border trade With Mr. Suriya Jungrungreangkit, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport As the chairman, it was an inspection of the area before the cabinet meeting outside the venue in Songkhla Province on February 18, which was attended by relevant agencies. The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has reported the construction of two double-track railways:
1. The route from Hat Yai Junction - Padang Besar, a distance of 45 kilometers, development period BE 2569 - 2572 and
2. The route from Hat Yai Junction - Sungai Kolok, a distance of 216 kilometers, development period BE 2572 - 2577.
Mr. Veeris also said that the Railway Authority sees the opportunity to develop a double-track railway and believes that it will be an important mechanism for developing the area around the Thai-Malaysian border, including border trade and tourism. This is considered to be strengthening the rail transport system to be efficient, stimulating the economy. Raise the standard of living of people in the three southern border provinces. It also helps increase the potential of freight transport. With costs lower than road transport by 2 times, to support future freight transport that is expected to increase. Meet the travel needs of the people because it is considered a convenient, fast and safe option.
Government urged to accelerate investment, pushing forward 13 mega-projects with 240 billion baht disbursement in 2025
Public investment remains sluggish, hindering the country's GDP growth. The National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) recommends expediting disbursements, while the Ministry of Transport is pushing 13 large-scale projects worth 780 billion baht, aiming for Cabinet approval and bidding from late February to early March to stimulate the domestic economy. The disbursement plan for 2025 targets 240 billion baht, with a significant increase of 39 billion baht in the first quarter.
The construction industry, a crucial sector for the government to drive the economy, has experienced delays in budget disbursement, falling short of targets and limiting the country's GDP growth. The Pheu Thai Party's economic growth target of 5% set by the Srettha Thavisin government in 2024 has only achieved half of the target due to sluggish consumption, low economic confidence, and the NESDC's report of 3.2% GDP growth in the fourth quarter of 2024, resulting in 2.5% growth for the entire year. The projected growth for 2025 is 2.3 - 3.3%, with increased public spending as a key driver, particularly ensuring investment budget disbursement does not fall below 75% of the total investment budget. The Thai Contractors Association (TCA) has urged the government to expedite disbursements and accelerate large-scale projects.
The Ministry of Transport, under Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit, is accelerating projects carried over from 2024 for Cabinet approval by the end of February to early March 2025, after receiving approval from the Budget Bureau and the Ministry of Finance. The NESDC's approval is pending. Eight large-scale projects worth 654.587 billion baht are under consideration, including the Red Line extension project, the Siriraj-Taling Chan-Salaya section, the Pak Nam Pho-Den Chai double-track railway, and the Jira Road Junction-Ubon Ratchathani double-track railway.
Minister Suriya chaired a meeting on February 13, 2025, urging agencies to expedite disbursements and bidding processes to meet targets, as Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra expressed concern about the low disbursement of the 50 billion baht economic stimulus budget approved by the Budget Bureau. The Ministry of Transport's 2025 budget is 244.576 billion baht, with 39.857 billion baht disbursed by the end of January 2025, slightly behind schedule. The investment budget disbursement is also slightly behind schedule, with 28.081 billion baht disbursed out of 212.213 billion baht.
The Ministry of Transport is expediting five projects for bidding in 2025, totaling 125.496 billion baht, including the Northern Expressway Phase 3, the Kathu-Patong Expressway, the M5 motorway extension, the M9 motorway expansion, and the Red Line extension project.
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