Southern Line double track railway construction project Nakhon Pathom - Chumphon section
14 May 2024
Aerial photography for the month of April 2024
Double track railway construction project Prachuap Khiri Khan - Chumphon section
Contract 2, Bang Saphan Noi-Chumphon section
Department of Railways updates "Phetchaburi Station" as part of the southern double-track railway project, including elevators, overpasses, and platforms with roofs. The station now has complete facilities and can accommodate 5,000 people per day.
Manager Online , 14 May 2024, 21:58
The Department of Rail updates the Southern Line "Phetchaburi Station," gradually opening the new station with complete amenities. The platform has a covered roof, footbridge, and elevator, and can accommodate up to 5,000 passengers per day. Preparations are underway to renovate the old station into a museum and OTOP shop, generating income for the community. Meanwhile, the government is developing public bus routes connecting tourist attractions and communities.
Mr. Pichet Kunathamrak, Director-General of the Department of Rail Transport (DRT), revealed that Mr. Suraphong Piyachote, Deputy Minister of Transport, inspected the construction of Phetchaburi Railway Station. It is one of the large stations of the double-track railway construction project for the Nakhon Pathom-Hua Hin section, Contract 2, Nong Pla Lai-Hua Hin section. Currently, construction is progressing at 98.372%.
As for Phetchaburi Station (km. 150+500), construction progress is 90.20%. The new Phetchaburi Station, located on the south side next to the old Phetchaburi Station building, is currently open for selling train tickets. It is a large station that can accommodate more than 5,000 passengers per day. The building has a usable area of approximately 1,759.22 square meters, consisting of a ticket office, various system control rooms, staff restrooms, a station master's room, a conference room, and a reception room. There is a large public restroom area of approximately 90 square meters, divided into sections for men, women, and an accessible restroom.
There are three covered platforms for passengers: Platform 1 (front) with a usable area of 2,377.14 square meters, Platform 2 (middle) with a usable area of 1,875.34 square meters, and Platform 3 (siding) with a usable area of 1,347.50 square meters. A floating bridge between platforms includes three stairways and three elevators, providing convenience to all users.
Additionally, there is a two-story residence for railway employees with six units. The project's road area covers 630 square meters, with a parking space of 467 square meters accommodating 21 cars, including one handicapped spot, and 2,085 square meters of landscape improvement work around the station.
Mr. Pichet mentioned that an additional pedestrian bridge has been built to facilitate and increase safety for nursing students at King Mongkut's College of Nursing, Phetchaburi Province, who expressed their gratitude. Since the new station is operational, there are plans to develop and renovate the old station building, which has beautiful architecture, into a museum and OTOP shop to generate income for the local community. The area opposite Phetchaburi train station, currently a bus stop, can be developed into a public transport parking lot to support wheel and rail travel connections, following Mr. Suraphong Piyachote's policy.
The Phetchaburi Provincial Transport Office plans to develop a public bus route connecting Phetchaburi Railway Station with tourist attractions and travel hubs for local residents, aiming to increase the convenience of seamless travel, promote the use of public transportation, save on fuel consumption, reduce traffic congestion, and lower carbon and greenhouse gas emissions.
For the double-track railway project, Nakhon Pathom-Chumphon section, covering a distance of 421 kilometers with a construction budget of 33,982 million baht, the Ban Khu Bua-Saphli section (347.4 kilometers) was opened on December 15, 2023. The remaining sections, including Phrong Maduea Station-Ban Khu Bua Station (50 km) and Saphli Station-Chumphon Station (15.6 km), are in progress. Civil works are nearing completion, with signaling system work at 58.489%. The double track is expected to be fully operational by June 2024.
The Nakhon Pathom-Hua Hin-Chumphon section is divided into five contracts:
1. Nakhon Pathom - Hua Hin section, Contract 1 (Nakhon Pathom - Nong Pla Lai), 93 kilometers, 8,198 million baht, progress 98.319%, 1.681% behind schedule.
2. Nakhon Pathom - Hua Hin section, Contract 2 (Nong Pla Lai - Hua Hin), 76 kilometers, 7,520 million baht, progress 99.313%, 0.687% behind schedule.
3. Hua Hin - Prachuap Khiri Khan section, 84 kilometers, 5,807 million baht, currently completed.
4. Prachuap Khiri Khan - Chumphon section, Contract 1 (Prachuap Khiri Khan - Bang Saphan Noi), 88 kilometers, 6,465 million baht, progress 99.245%, 0.755% behind schedule.
5. Prachuap Khiri Khan - Chumphon section, Contract 2 (Bang Saphan Noi - Chumphon), 79 kilometers, 5,992 million baht, progress 99.425%, 0.575% behind schedule.
Fierce debate in Nakhon Ratchasima over Sima Bridge demolition as part of double-track railway project.
Khaosod 20 May 2024 5:47 p.m.
Nakhon Ratchasima remains divided over the fate of Sima Bridge. A heated two-hour debate ensued as the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) confirmed it would not demolish the bridge as part of the ongoing double-track railway project. This contradicts a resolution previously agreed upon by local residents. In response, the Deputy Permanent Secretary for Transport has ordered a poll to resolve the dispute, emphasizing its completion before the upcoming Korat Transport Cabinet meeting.
On May 20, 2024, a meeting was held at Nakhon Ratchasima City Hall to discuss the construction of high-speed and double-track railways. Attendees included the Deputy Governor of Nakhon Ratchasima Province, representatives from various agencies, and the Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transport.
The SRT's decision not to demolish Sima Bridge stems from assessments by the Department of Highways, Department of Rural Roads, Expressway Authority of Thailand, Department of Rail Transport, and the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP). These agencies determined that the bridge remains in good condition and does not necessitate demolition.
However, this stance clashes with the 2019 resolution by Korat residents, who favored the bridge's demolition to minimize future disruptions and facilitate the railway's passage through the city at ground level.
The SRT presented a comparative analysis covering civil engineering, economic, and environmental factors to support their decision. Despite this, the Deputy Governor of Nakhon Ratchasima Province expressed gratitude for the project but highlighted the lack of communication and community engagement regarding its potential impacts.
With tensions rising and no resolution reached after two hours, the Deputy Permanent Secretary for Transport directed a poll to be conducted to gauge public opinion on the matter. This poll is expected to be finalized before the Korat Transport Cabinet convenes.
Smart EEC Column: Khon Kaen-Nong Khai Double Track Railway, Another Important Piece of the EEC Puzzle
Source: Krungthep Turakij, May 21, 2024
By: Supree Srisamran, Krungthai COMPASS Research Center
In March, the State Railway of Thailand announced progress on the Phase 2 Khon Kaen-Nong Khai double-track railway project. This 167-kilometer project, with an estimated investment of 29.7 billion baht, received Cabinet approval in October 2023 and is expected to open for bidding in May 2024.
The railway will not only enhance the transportation of goods and passengers between northeastern and central Thailand, but it also serves as a crucial component in developing the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC). The new line will create opportunities for Thai businesses to efficiently transport goods produced within the EEC and surrounding areas to Laos and China.
The railway will connect Laem Chabang Port in the EEC to northeastern Thai provinces, including Nakhon Ratchasima, Khon Kaen, Udon Thani, and Nong Khai. It will then extend to Vientiane, Laos, and Kunming, China, linking with the Laos-China high-speed railway.
Krungthai COMPASS predicts that potential Thai exports to Laos via rail will include fuel, electrical appliances, electronics, automotive components, machinery, live animals, and meat, all of which have production bases in or near the EEC.
In terms of exports to China, fresh, chilled, or frozen vegetables and fruits, tapioca starch, cosmetics, perfumes, medicines, medical supplies, copper, and copper products show potential for growth.
Additionally, Thai businesses can import cold-climate vegetables and fruits from China. Kunming, the final destination of the Laos-China high-speed rail, houses the Doonan flower market, the largest in Asia and second largest globally.
The Khon Kaen-Nong Khai double-track railway is projected to take 3-5 years to complete after construction begins. Businesses should proactively prepare by researching transportation routes and regulations, planning product transportation and distribution. Government agencies should also focus on developing infrastructure and product delivery points to ensure efficient rail transport.
Furthermore, rail freight produces fewer emissions than trucks, contributing to a more sustainable logistics system in Thailand.
Korat Residents Appeal to MPs Over Double-Track Railway Dispute
Nakhon Ratchasima, May 22, 2024 Residents of Korat have appealed to Members of Parliament (MPs) to intervene in the ongoing dispute over the construction of a double-track railway through the city. The dispute centers on whether or not to demolish the Sima Thani Bridge, which currently passes over the proposed railway line.
In 2019, residents reached a consensus that the bridge should be demolished to reduce the impact of the railway on the city. However, the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has since argued that the bridge should be preserved, citing its structural integrity and remaining service life.
Representatives of villagers living under the bridge have filed a complaint with Mr. Chat Suphattrawanit, an MP from the Kao Klai Party, asking for his help in persuading the government to honor the 2019 consensus.
Mr. Udom, a local resident, stated that the bridge has negatively impacted the economic situation in the area beneath it. He urged the government to demolish the bridge and address the needs of the community.
Mr. Chat emphasized the importance of conveying the residents' concerns to the government and SRT. He warned that delays in resolving the dispute could escalate tensions and lead to further conflict.
He called on the government and ruling party leaders to acknowledge the residents' suffering and expedite the implementation of their resolution.
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