PUBLISHED: 9 Sep 2024 at 19: 48
Surapong Piyachote, the deputy transport minister, wants the State Railway of Thailand’s ( SRT ) prime minister’s ) intention to ratify one of the last two construction contracts for the first phase of the long-delayed Thai-Chinese high-speed train project.
Boonchai Panich Co has already received a bid for the lease number 4 4-5 to construct a 13.3-kilometer part of the first phase project, according to the minister.
He claimed that due to a problem with the location of its Ayutthaya Station, which is 1.5 kilometers from the Ayutthaya Historical Park, the deal filing was halted. Although the Unesco World Heritage site is not accessible or opposite to this section, common issue is raised by its close proximity.
According to Mr. Surapong, it led the SRT to request consultations with Unesco and the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning ( ONEP ) to conduct a Heritage Impact Assessment ( HIA ) on the construction plan. The judgment has been completed, and an HIA record has been submitted to Unesco for attention.
The SRT has even agreed to reduce the level of this section’s increased high-speed train track from 19 meters to 17 meters, according to Mr. Surapong.
However, the SRT wo n’t take into account moving the planned route because it will result in a significant budget increase and cause the construction to be delayed by another ten years, he said.
He claimed that the SRT had sufficiently responded to Unesco’s suggestion and that it could not afford to postpone the anticipated construction worth 9.91 billion dollars while awaiting Unesco’s last opinion of the HIA research.
He claimed that the SRT wants the PM’s endorsement before the development contract is signed with the chosen company by October. He further stated that he would try to speak with Ms. Paetongtarn about the situation as soon as possible.
The high-speed train project will have to deal with its original construction plan regardless of how Unesco’s last opinion on this matter may turn. No layoffs”, he said.