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.
After Songkran: Construction Begins on Khon KaenNong Khai Double-Track Railway
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) is set to commence construction on the Khon KaenNong Khai double-track railway, the first line of its Phase 2 project, immediately after the Songkran festival. The SRT has prepared to issue the Notice to Proceed (NTP) and hand over 90% of the construction site to contractors, with Ch. ThaveeAS Joint Venture already setting up worker camps.
According to a report from Daily News Transport Innovation Team, the construction joint venture comprises Ch. Thavee Construction Co., Ltd., A.S. Associate Engineering (1964) Co., Ltd., Thipakorn Co., Ltd., and KS Joint Venture Co., Ltd. The consortium, awarded the contract for the 167-kilometer double-track railway project worth 28.679 billion baht, has prepared labor and machinery for the project. Additionally, a construction camp is being established in Khon Kaen Province in preparation for the commencement of work.
Upon receiving the construction site from SRT, the joint venture will begin work immediately. The initial construction site is expected to be near an SRT station, with SRT planning to handover approximately 90% of the site and issue the NTP by April 2025, after Songkran. However, an additional 184 rai (approximately 29.4 hectares) of expropriated land will be handed over later as the expropriation decree has yet to be officially enforced. The government has allocated 369 million baht from the 20252026 fiscal budget for land expropriation, with full site handover anticipated within two years.
Key Project Details:
Construction Period: 36 months (3 years) Expected completion and operation by 2028.
Projected Passenger Volume:
o First year: 3,300 passengers per day.
o Year 30: 5,500 passengers per day.
Projected Freight Volume:
o First year: 3.30 million tons per year.
o Year 30: 4.20 million tons per year.
The Khon KaenNong Khai double-track railway is the first of seven routes under Phase 2 of the double-track railway project, connecting Khon Kaen, Udon Thani, and Nong Khai provinces. This project enhances connectivity with the existing Chira JunctionKhon Kaen double-track railway, currently in operation. A new 1-meter gauge track will be built parallel to the existing line, with some route adjustments.
Project Infrastructure:
Ground-level track: 159.5 km.
Elevated track: 9.5 km (2 sections).
Stations: 15.
Train stops: 2.
High platforms at all stations.
Removal of all level crossings.
New Infrastructure:
o 31 road-over-rail bridges.
o 53 underpasses.
o Fencing along the entire railway.
Stations & Stops:
1. Khon Kaen
2. Samran
3. Non Phayom
4. Ban Wang Chai (Stop)
5. Nam Phong
6. Huai Sieo
7. Khao Suan Kwang
8. Non Sa-at
9. Huai Koeng
10. Kumphawapi
11. Huai Sam Phat
12. Nong Takai
13. Kham Kling (Stop)
14. Nong Khon Kwang
15. Udon Thani
16. Naphu
17. Natha
18. Nong Khai
This double-track railway project significantly enhances Thailands railway network and supports cross-border freight transport between Thailand, Laos, and China.
Source: Daily News
Wednesday, March 12, 2025, 04:36 AM
A report from the Ministry of Finance revealed that Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, in her capacity as Chairperson of the Economic Stimulus Policy Committee, has approved an economic stimulus plan aimed at pushing Thailands Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth beyond 3%. The plan will be implemented through 46 projects throughout 2025, with a particular focus on the second and third quarters to sustain momentum into the fourth quarter and the following year. Among these projects, the government is set to introduce at least 12 new initiatives.
The 12 new projects planned for this year include:
1. 10,000 Baht Economic Stimulus Program (Phase 3) Targeting 2.7 million people aged 16-20, with a total budget of 27 billion baht. The funds are expected to be distributed by the end of Q2 2025.
2. Creative and Cultural Tourism Development Project Aimed at increasing economic value through cultural tourism, with a budget of 16.7 million baht.
3. "Half-Half" Domestic Tourism Support Project A budget of 3.5 billion baht has been allocated to subsidize 50% of travel expenses for hotels, restaurants, tourist attractions, OTOP stores, spas, wellness centers, and vehicle rentals. The project, managed by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), is expected to run from May to September 2025, benefiting 1 million travelers.
4. Acceleration of Investment in BOI-Approved Projects Aiming to realize at least 75 billion baht of investments from the 1.34 trillion baht already approved in 2023-2024, which could boost GDP by 0.19%.
5. Southern Double-Track Railway Project Enhancing rail transport in the southern region.
6. Second Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge (Nong Khai Vientiane) Expanding connectivity between Thailand and Laos.
7. Logistics and Freight Transfer Center in Nong Khai Supporting rail-based cargo transport.
8. Development of International Transport Infrastructure Strengthening connections between major economic zones, including the Land Bridge project.
9. Irrigation Employment Program Providing jobs for irrigation workers to support farmers in 2025.
10. National Sports Development Integration Project Implementing sports development plans at the local level.
11. Soft Power Promotion in Tourism Organizing various activities across all 76 provinces to stimulate local tourism.
12. Amazing Thailand Grand Tourism & Sport Year 2025 A nationwide campaign to promote tourism through various events, as previously announced by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).
Caption: Paetongtarn Shinawatra
Source: Daily News, Afternoon Edition, March 13, 2025.
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