On 27 June 2025, starting from Special Express Train No. 43 onwards, all up trains will be changed to down track between Cha-am Station and Suan Son Pradipat Station, and all down trains will be changed to up track between Suan Son Pradipat Station and Cha-am Station. This track switching is due to maintenance work on the stability of the bridge on the way up before the elevated road at Hua Hin Station, Hua Hin Railway Station apologizes for the inconvenience.
https://www.facebook.com/athuahinstation/posts/1309632954500296
Double-Track Railway Expansion to Boost Northern Thailand: Baht 40 Million Budget Proposed for Phrae-Nan-Huai Kon Border Route Study (220 km)
Thansettakij
July 4, 2025 | 06:48 AM
Latest Update: July 4, 2025 | 08:55 AM
The double-track railway expansion is set to boost Northern Thailand. The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has proposed a 40 million baht budget to study a new 220-kilometer route from Phrae to Nan, extending through the Huai Kon border checkpoint. This new line will connect to the ongoing Den Chai-Chiang Rai-Chiang Khong double-track railway project, promoting tourism and cross-border freight transportation.
The SRT is developing the double-track railway network as a crucial piece of the rail system, forming the backbone of domestic and cross-border travel. This aligns with the rail master plan from General Prayut Chan-o-cha's government, aiming to create seamless travel. The project acknowledges the significant economic benefits, enhancing the competitiveness of border and cross-border trade.
The tourism sector, a major revenue generator for the country, is a key focus. Both Thai and international tourists enjoy train travel due to its energy efficiency, reduced pollution, and high safety. The anticipated benefits include fostering regional development, stimulating local economies, and promoting commercial growth, which will in turn increase land values in surrounding areas.
Similarly, the development of the northern rail network, specifically the new Den Chai-Chiang Rai-Chiang Khong double-track railway, spanning 323.1 kilometers with a value exceeding 80 billion baht, is now over 36% complete, 1.5% ahead of schedule. This progress has been made despite numerous challenges such as major floods, earthquakes, and the impact of burning and PM2.5 dust. The resilience of the construction team means this long-awaited historic line is expected to be ready for service as planned in early 2028.
Mr. Pattapong Boonkaew, Project Engineer for the Den Chai-Chiang Rai-Chiang Khong double-track railway, revealed to "Thansettakij" that in addition to this project, the SRT is pushing for a new double-track line from Phrae to Nan and Huai Kon (border checkpoint), covering a total distance of 220 kilometers. This aims to provide Nan province with a rail connection, enhancing its potential. Each phase of this project is estimated to be worth more than 20 billion baht.
Initially, a 40 million baht budget is being sought from the government's 2025 mid-year economic stimulus budget of 157 billion baht. This funding is intended for the first phase study of the Phrae-Nan section (90 kilometers) in 2025 to ignite construction. Subsequently, the second phase, from Nan to the Huai Kon border checkpoint (120 kilometers), will be studied. The SRT had previously proposed a budget for the 2026 fiscal year, but it has been postponed.
Nevertheless, the SRT believes this route has high potential as an extension of the Den Chai-Chiang Rai-Chiang Khong double-track railway project, completing the northern travel network to its fullest potential. If the study budget is approved, the study will run in parallel with the construction of the Den Chai-Chiang Rai-Chiang Khong line, ensuring projects are completed and opened for service around the same time, avoiding the fragmented development seen in the past. The SRT cannot afford to wait, as expanding the double-track railway is a crucial mechanism for driving the country's economy.
"The new Phrae-Nan-Huai Kon double-track railway project aims to connect Phrae and Nan provinces to the double-track rail network, with plans to extend to the Huai Kon border checkpoint to promote trade and tourism," said Mr. Pattapong.
Regarding land expropriation, the process must await the study results, as both land values and plots will change before expropriation, including plot consolidation or subdivision. Many land plots are expected to be affected, but the SRT is trying to avoid expropriating structures as much as possible. For the first phase (Phrae-Nan), approximately 2,812 rai of land are expected to be expropriated.
The proposed route for the first phase begins at Nong Sieo Junction Station in Phrae province and extends to Nan Station, covering approximately 90 kilometers with 10 stations. The maximum speed will be 160 kilometers per hour. Both Phrae and Nan provinces will have one container yard. Construction is expected to take five years from the project's start. The second phase, from Nan Station to Huai Kon border checkpoint (120 kilometers), will take six years to construct due to the challenging mountainous terrain.
Overall, investing in the rail network is a vital cog in driving the country's economy, especially in the North, which is considered a major artery for tourism and an increasingly important trade route.
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Mega Project, Page 8, Thansettakij Newspaper, Issue No. 4,111, July 6-9, 2025
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