"Suriya" backs "Weerith" as the new governor of the State Railway of Thailand (SRT), finalizing the high-speed and double-track railway deal worth 660 billion baht
Thansettakij
September 17, 2024 | 3:55 PM
Marking this October, Suriya is set to deliver policies to Weerith Amrapal, the new governor of the State Railway of Thailand (SRT), after the Cabinet gave the green light. He will continue the high-speed and double-track railway projects worth 660 billion baht to support the rail system.
Suriya Jungrungreangkit, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, revealed that the Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, approved the appointment of Weerith Amrapal as the new governor of the SRT. The selection committee, led by Aphirat Chaiwongnoi, deemed Weerith suitable for the position.
As the overseer of the SRT, I am preparing to outline policies for the new governor to accelerate the growth of Thailand's rail system and enhance its transport capabilities to match international standards. We aim to make Thailand a regional rail transport hub in ASEAN and Asia. I expect to deliver the policy to the SRT in October, Suriya said.
The new governor will also need to drive the organization forward, aiming to restore the SRT as a key national entity. He will need to define clear policies and directions to solve problems, especially addressing the current debt of over 230 billion baht. This will involve reducing expenses and increasing revenues from passenger transport, freight services, and the development of commercial areas.
Suriya added that 2025 marks the 50th anniversary of Thai-Chinese relations, and the Ministry of Transport is pushing forward with the first phase of the Thai-Chinese high-speed rail project from Bangkok to Nakhon Ratchasima, which is currently under construction. The second phase, from Nakhon Ratchasima to Nong Khai, will complete the connection of the One Belt One Road initiative between the two nations.
China wants to extend this rail line into the region. With the first phase already under construction, it is necessary to proceed with the second phase to maximize rail transport potential, Suriya said.
The Ministry of Transport has tasked the Department of Rail Transport (DRT) to collaborate with the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) to expedite the approval of the second phase of the Thai-Chinese high-speed rail project. It is expected that the NESDC will approve the second phase by the end of this year.
Afterward, the project will be submitted to the Cabinet for approval. The civil engineering bidding process is expected to start in the first quarter of 2025. The public-private partnership (PPP) process for the rail operation will proceed alongside construction, taking about two years. The railway is expected to be operational by the end of 2028.
Key projects that the SRT governor will need to prioritize in line with the government's focus on rail transport, especially the shift from road to rail to reduce logistics costs, include the 661.06 billion baht double-track railway and high-speed rail projects:
1. The second phase of the Thai-Chinese high-speed rail project from Nakhon Ratchasima to Nong Khai, spanning 356 kilometers, with a total investment of 341.35142 billion baht. This includes 235.129 billion baht for civil works, 10.31 billion baht for land acquisition, and 80.165 billion baht for railway and mechanical systems.
2. The second phase of the double-track railway project, covering six routes with a total investment of 298.06 billion baht:
2.1. Pak Nam Pho-Den Chai, 281 km, 81.143 billion baht
2.2. Chumphon-Surat Thani, 168 km, 30.422 billion baht
2.3. Surat Thani-Hat Yai Junction-Songkhla, 321 km, 66.27 billion baht
2.4. Den Chai-Chiang Mai, 189 km, 68.222 billion baht
2.5. Chira Junction-Ubon Ratchathani, 308 km, 44.103 billion baht
2.6. Hat Yai Junction-Padang Besar, 45 km, 7.9 billion baht
3. The expansion of the Red Line with two routes, totaling 21.649 billion baht:
3.1. Siriraj-Taling Chan-Salaya, 20.5 km, 15.176 billion baht
3.2. Rangsit-Thammasat University, 8.84 km, 6.473 billion baht
Relocating Almost All Trains to New Lopburi Station, Free Shuttle Service to Connect Old Station Are Passengers in Favor?
Daily News, September 17, 2024, 5:24 PM
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has revised its train service plan for "Lopburi Station" in preparation for the opening of a dual-track railway on the Northern Line at the end of this year. Most trains will be relocated from the old station to the new Lopburi Station. The SRT wants to maximize the usage of the new facility and will offer free shuttle services to minimize the impact. Are passengers in favor of this change?
According to the "Daily News Transportation Innovation Team," SRT is gathering public feedback from the people of Lopburi and nearby provinces regarding the advantages, disadvantages, and impacts of using both the old Lopburi Station and the new Lopburi Station (the second station, located in Tha Wung District). The survey is available on the Facebook page: "Lopburi Railway Station, State Railway of Thailand." This information will contribute to SRTs planning of passenger train services between the old Lopburi Station and the new one. The construction of Phase 1 of the Northern Line dual-track project, covering 148 kilometers from Lopburi to Pak Nam Pho, has been completed, with service expected to begin by the end of 2024.
Previously, SRT planned to use the new Lopburi Station for commercial trains and freight services, while the old station would serve social-oriented train services. These include trains with three-digit numbers starting with 2 (regular trains), 3 (commuter trains and special commuter trains), and 4 (local trains). However, after discussions between SRT and local agencies in Lopburi, it was agreed that the new station should be used more extensively to justify the construction investment.
Meanwhile, the Lopburi Provincial Transport Office is prepared to provide public transport services (feeder buses) to connect passengers between the old and new stations, as well as from the city center to the provincial bus terminal. Initially, the plan is to keep only the commuter trains, special commuter trains, and local trains at the old Lopburi Station, while other services will be relocated to the new station.
The new Lopburi Station is located on Lopburis bypass road, near the Sanam Chai intersection in Phon Lad Kaeo, Tha Wung District, approximately 9 kilometers from the old station in Tha Hin, Mueang District. Authorities are still discussing whether to charge fares for the feeder buses or offer free services, as there are concerns about increasing travel costs, particularly for students.
🚇Northern line: Lopburi - Pak Nampho - 148 km at 21.5 billion Baht - Progress on Progress on 31 August 2024 Reported on 27 September 2024 🚇 :
Contract 1 Ban Klub - Khok Krathiam (Tha Wung elevated bypass) - 32 km including 29 km elevated tracks and the rest are ramps
Contractor: Unique Engineering and Construction PCL & Sino Hydro
Expected Accumulated Goal: 99.90% (31 August 2024)
Expected Actual Goal: 98.29%
Delayed planned goal by 1.61% (-1.61% progress)
Expected date to be done: December 2024
The platelaying along with platform roof of Lopburi 2 station is virtually finished while the contractors are working to install the seats with red cusion at the wating hall. The renovation of Ban Klab railway station is still on going with the wheelchair ramp stats to take shape.
Contract 2 Tha Khae - Pak Nam Pho - 116 km
Contractor: Unique Engineering and Construction PCL
Expected Accumulated Goal: 99.75% (31 August 2024)
Expected Actual Goal: 93.74%
Delayed planned goal by 6.01% (-6.01% progress)
Expected date to be done: December 2024
Renovated station building of Tha Khae is virtually done
New station building of Ban Mee, Nong Sai Khao almost done,
New station building of Chansen has shown the real progress
The stairways for the flyover across the platforms have been installed
Lifts across the platforms for the handicapped have been installed at Chong Khae
Pillars for platform roof of Nakhon sawan railway station have been erect5ed with a real progress while the platform roof tiles have not been installed yet ... the new station building of Nakhon Sawan is virtually finished.
Platform elevator and the flyover across the station yard of Ban Takli are starting to take shape with real progress while the roof tiles for the platform roofs of Ban Takli station are almost done.
Contract 3: New Signal and telecommunication including ECTS-1 from Lopburi to Pak Nam Pho (S8 Work)
Contractor: Unique Engineering and Construction PCL & Bombardier Transportation Signal (Thailand)
Expected Accumulated Goal: 100.00% (31 August 2024)
Expected Actual Goal: 47.89%
Delayed planned goal by 52.11% (-52.11% progress)
Expected date to be done : Expected to be done at the End of 2025.
Still working to lay the cables across the yards and along the tracks whole the racks with relays have been installed and fully tested to meet the requirements from Alstom as well as SRT
https://www.facebook.com/lopburipaknampho/posts/888865379825530 https://www.facebook.com/lopburipaknampho/posts/888867436491991 https://www.facebook.com/lopburipaknampho/posts/888869039825164 https://www.facebook.com/lopburipaknampho/posts/910181994360535 https://www.facebook.com/lopburipaknampho/posts/910181994360535
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