High-speed train tasks are an important element in Thailand’s ambition to get an Indochina logistics hub with the development of the country’s train transport system as being a key priority within the government’s 20-year development strategic plan (2018–2037).
In recent years, several new train transport development tasks have been rolled out there including electric train projects in Bangkok and the surrounding provinces, the first phase of the Thai-Chinese high-speed teach project, and a high speed train project connecting up Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi and U-Tapao airports.
Responding to the government’s rail transport advancement policy, the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has aimed in order to implement a high-speed train project across the country, in the North, East, Northeast and South.
The northern high-speed train line will stretch out from Bangkok in order to Chiang Mai, as the eastern line can connect Bangkok along with Rayong. The northeastern line will operate from Bangkok in order to Nong Khai as well as the southern line through Bangkok to Padang Besar.
These projects are estimated to have a complete combined length of two, 700 kilometres, one, 207km of which are being implemented in the first stage (considered urgent), another 702km within the medium-term and the various other 791km in the long term, stated the SRT.
“This high-speed train network is not going to connect parts of Thailand but also serve as a rail link within Asean, ” stated the SRT.
Of all 4 projects, a highlight is the Thai-Chinese high-speed train project, that is split into two stages for implementation, following a signing of an agreement on the project between your Thai and Chinese language governments on Might 12, 2016, within Beijing.
The project’s initial phase deals with the construction of a high speed train system through Bangkok to Nakhon Ratchasima, while the 2nd phase will continue from Nakhon Ratchasima to Nong Khai, bordering neighbouring Laos.
The very first phase will cost 179. 41 billion baht in a budget spent by the Thai aspect. The railway, stretching 250km from Hammer Sue in Bangkok to Nakhon Ratchasima and comprising 6 stations, is expected to open in 2026.
6 Fuxing Hao CR300 trains will operate on this route. Each train consists of 8 carriages which altogether have 594 chairs — 96 first-class seats and 498 standard class chairs. The maximum travelling period from the first towards the last station is one and a half hours as each train simply leaves 90 minutes aside, from 6am till 12pm every day. The fare will vary from 105 baht in order to 535 baht.
The second phase from the Thai-Chinese high-speed train project, to stretch 357km from Nakhon Ratchasima to Nong Khai, will allow a connection from travelling from Thailand to Laos and then from Laos to China’s Kunming.
Having already passed an environmental impact evaluation, the second phase is likely to be completed around three to four yrs after the first phase, or between 2029 and 2030.
“When all four high-speed train projects are fully built and connected, they are going to serve as a link of the huge network of rail transport associated with both passengers and cargo between Tiongkok and Malaysia through Laos and Thailand, ” said the particular SRT.
The eastern high speed train route will likely provide a connection to both Map Ta Phut port and Thailand’s three major airports.