Double track railway construction project Lopburi - Pak Nam Pho section
18 April 2024 11:46 a.m.
Update on project progress March 2024
Contract 1 Ban Klap - Khok Ka Thiam section
(elevated railway)
Cumulative progress = 91.80%
Cumulative plan = 98.59%
Slower than planned = -6.79%
Update on project progress March 2024
Contract 3 Signaling and telecommunications system work (ST8)
Cumulative progress = 40.70%
Cumulative plan = 100.00%
Slower than planned = -59.30%
Thailand Accelerates Phase 2 of Double-Track Railway Project, Khon Kaen - Nong Khai Section Prioritized
Matichon
Friday, April 19, 2024
Mr. Pichet Kunathamrak, Director-General of the Department of Rail Transport, outlined the progress of Thailand's double-track railway expansion. In Phase 1, seven routes have begun service or are under construction. Four of these projects are expected to be completed by 2025.
Phase 2 of the project, comprising an additional seven routes, has a budget of 275,303 million baht. The Khon Kaen - Nong Khai section (167 km) has received Cabinet approval and is scheduled to begin construction in 2024. Three more projects await Cabinet approval: Pak Nam Pho - Den Chai (281 km), Hat Yai - Padang Besar Junction (45 km), and Jira - Ubon Ratchathani Road Junction (308 km). The remaining three projects (Chumphon-Surat Thani, Surat Thani Junction Hat Yai-Songkhla, and Den Chai-Chiang Mai) are undergoing feasibility studies and environmental impact assessments.
Construction is also progressing on two new railway projects: Den Chai-Chiang Rai-Chiang Khong (322 km), scheduled for completion in 2028, and Ban Phai Mukdahan-Nakhon Phanom (322 km), scheduled for completion in 2027.
Banks Maintain Support for "Italian-Thai", While Tightening SME Lending
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) struggle with high business costs, including interest, raw materials, and energy. Tightened bank lending controls exacerbate their situation, leading to an increase in bad debts and business closures, according to Saengchai Teerakulwanit, president of the Thai SME Confederation.
Data from the Bank of Thailand (BoT) confirms a decline in business loans, with SME loans under 500 million baht showing the steepest decrease. The SME Confidence Index shows decreased confidence across all business sectors.
The Thai SME Confederation has urged the government to address household debt and informal debt issues, as well as to increase SME access to low-cost funding and government procurement opportunities.
While the BoT has expressed concern over SME access to funding, rising interest rates limit SMEs' ability to repay debt, leading to increased bad debts and tighter lending restrictions from commercial banks.
Bangkok Bank and Bank of Ayudhya executives state that they will focus on cautious SME lending in 2024, prioritizing sectors with potential recovery, such as tourism.
Dissolution of businesses has increased, with construction, restaurants, and real estate most affected. This reflects changing consumer behavior and ongoing struggles for businesses with limited capital.
In contrast, large businesses like Italian-Thai Development Company Limited (ITD) receive strong support from commercial banks. In ITD's case, Bangkok Bank, Kasikorn Bank, Siam Commercial Bank, and Krungthai Bank provided a combined credit line of 24,000 million baht, even as the company faced liquidity issues. Bank executives express confidence in ITD's ability to continue operations and have set up appropriate reserves.
This stark contrast highlights the challenges faced by SMEs in accessing funding compared to larger corporations.
Completed: The Department of Rural Roads has expanded road LB.1036 in Lopburi Province by 2.7 km, with a value of 150 million baht, connecting it to the double-track railway. The Lopburi - Pak Nam Pho section will be convenient, fast, safe, and will alleviate traffic congestion in the area.
Mr. Apirat Chaiwongnoi, Director-General of the Department of Rural Roads, revealed that a construction project was undertaken to widen rural highway LB.1036 at the intersection with Highway 1-Ban Pa Wai, Mueang District, Lopburi Province, covering a distance of 2.752 kilometers. The project, with a budget of 150 million baht, has been completed and is now open for public travel.
The starting point is at km 0+000 from Phra Narai Maharat Roundabout, ending at km 2+752, Phon Rom Pa Wai Circle. The road has been expanded to four traffic lanes, maintaining the same size as the original road but with widened traffic lanes and additional shoulder space. The road surface is constructed of asphalt concrete, with each lane being 3.50 meters wide and the shoulder width ranging from 2.50 to 3.50 meters. Sidewalks, drainage systems, electrical lighting, traffic lights, traffic signs, and road safety facilities have also been constructed.
Mr. Apirat further stated that rural highway LB.1036, or Phra Piya Road, experiences heavy traffic as it passes through a community area and is home to many government agencies, such as the Mueang Lopburi District Office, Muang Lopburi Police Station, and Lopburi Area Revenue Office.
Upon completion of the project, transportation infrastructure will be improved, supporting urban expansion and alleviating traffic congestion. The logistics system will be enhanced, in line with transportation strategies, and the road will serve as a shortcut route to economic sources for urban communities in Lopburi Province. This will help avoid traffic congestion, reduce travel time, and enhance convenience and safety for travelers.
Mr. Apirat added that the project supports the future use of the double-track railway route in the Lopburi - Pak Nam Pho section, seamlessly connecting road and rail transportation systems. This aligns with the policy of "Transportation for the Happiness of the People," aimed at developing the secondary road network to meet the needs of the people and facilitate access to community areas and tourist attractions in the province.
Starting Point at km. 470 +000 (Southern end of Chumporn)
Saeng Daet at km 472 + 548.90 => Building the new station building at km 472 + 526.318
Thung Kha at km 480 + 912.36 => Building the new station building at km 480 + 861.800
Wisai at km 489 + 978.35 => Building the new station building at km 489 + 731.163
Ban Khron Halt at km 495 + 750 => Building the new halt building at km 495 + 503.339
Sawi at km 500 + 769.40 => Building the new station building at km 500 + 541.399
Khao Suan Thurian at km 508 + 517.625=> Building the new station building at km 508 + 621.530
Khao Pip Halt at km 512 + 020 => Building the new halt building and renamed as Thung Tako Halt at km 511 + 061.573
Pak Tako at km 516 + 811.70 => Building the new station building at km 516 + 558.522
Tha Thong Halt at km 522 + 350 => Building the new halt building at km 522 + 040.00
Khuan Hin Mui at km 526 + 088.69 => Building the new station building at km 525 + 821.477
Lang Suan at km 533 +300.00 => Building the new station building at km 533 + 450.00
Khlong Khanan at km 541 + 032.22 => Building the new station building at km 540 + 745.379
Hua Mat Halt at km 546 + 530 => Building the new halt building at km 546 + 231.969
Lamae at km 553 + 700.00 => Building the new station building at km 553 + 361.520
Ban Duat at km 560 + 149.60 => Building the new station building at km 559 + 819.292
Khanthuli at km 566 + 374.62 => Building the new station building at km 566 + 062.704
Don Thup at km 570 + 057.07 => Building the new station building at km 569 + 726.192
Tha Chana at km 577 + 789.68 => Building the new station building at km 577 + 452.115
Ban Ko Muk Halt at km 584 + 060 => Building the new halt building at km 583 + 737.915
Khao Phanom Baek at km 588 + 401.90 => Building the new station building at km 588 + 078.375
Chaiya at km 597 + 719.88 => Building the new elevated station building at km 597 + 380.615
Tha Chang at km 610 + 538.40 => the only station building to be and moved at km 610 + 193.956
Khlong Khut Halt at km 614 + 000 => Building the new halt building at km 616 + 645.217
Khlong Sye at km 618 + 877.85 => Building the new elevated station building at km 618 + 520.625
Maluan at km 623 + 929.00 => Building the new station building at km 623 + 571.230
Ban Thung Pho Junction at km 631 + 000=> Building the new station building at km 630 + 632.106
Surat Thani at km 635 + 106.46 => Building the new elevated station building at km 634 + 640.620 while the old station building dated 1954 will be renovated to be used for other purposes.
EOL at km 637 + 500 (Southern end of Surat Thani station yard)
The government is in debt to the BAAC, with 800 billion baht, and the Bank of Thailand (BoT) is hesitant to introduce digital money, fearing potential risks to the liquidity of the BAAC and its impact on depositor confidence.
In an article published by the Daily News on April 24, 2024, at 3:21 p.m., it's stated that there is an open opinion from the Bank of Thailand directly sent to the cabinet, advocating for the distribution of digital money exclusively to low-income groups. The BoT is concerned about the BAAC's liquidity and its potential impact on depositor confidence, despite the existing debt of 800 billion baht.
The Cabinet approved a 10,000 baht digital wallet top-up project on April 23. In a letter dated April 22, 2024, Governor Setthaput Suthiwat Narueput of the BoT offered opinions to the Cabinet regarding the project.
The BoT suggests allocating the digital wallets' funds solely to target groups in need, aiming to alleviate living expenses and stimulate the economy efficiently with a reduced budget. Specifically, the focus should be on vulnerable groups whose incomes have not fully recovered, such as low-income individuals or the 15 million state welfare cardholders.
Moreover, the government is advised to consider investing the 500 billion baht budget in projects addressing structural issues and enhancing the country's long-term economic potential. Examples include the Medical Personnel Development Project, free education for 15 years nationwide, the double-track railway project, and the Blue Line MRT project.
However, the BoT expresses concerns about assigning the BAAC to support the 10,000 baht digital wallet top-up project while it still holds an outstanding debt of 800 billion baht. This could pose liquidity risks and affect depositor confidence. The BoT suggests finding a way to compensate for expenses or loss of income to the BAAC and consulting the BAAC committee's opinions before proceeding.
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum