According to the latest report from the Ministry of Transport of Thailand, the second phase of the China-Thailand high-speed rail cooperation project is progressing steadily. This phase involves a 356-kilometre route from Bangkok to Kunming, with an estimated total investment of 3,4135.1 billion baht. At present, the civil design has been completed and is awaiting the approval of the relevant environmental assessment report.
According to the schedule, the project will be submitted to the cabinet for approval within this month, and the land acquisition is scheduled to be completed by September 2025. Private sector tenders and contracts are expected between March and November 2024, followed by construction commencing in December of the same year. It is expected to be operational in December 2029, providing passengers with a rapid transportation service from Bangkok to Nong Khai.
In order to ensure the smooth completion of the high-speed rail project, the Ministry of Transport will convene the 31st meeting of the Sino-Thai Railway Cooperation Joint Committee in February 2024 to consult closely with the Chinese side and promote the progress of the project.
Regarding the land acquisition work, the second phase of the Nakhon Ratchasima-Nong Khai section is expected to cost 1241.8 billion baht for 195 parcels from Nakhon Ratchasima to Ban Phat and 1,764 plots from Ban Pai to Nong Khai. The difficulty of land acquisition is mainly concentrated in urban areas, where public facilities, drainage pipes and power systems need to be relocated, as well as the resettlement of a large number of residents.
In addition, the State Railways of Thailand (SRT) plans to divide the project into no more than 10 contracts for tender, with the aim of increasing the competitive opportunities of small contractors and increasing their productivity. This strategy stems from past experience and aims to avoid large construction contracts that make it difficult for small contractors to participate.
It is worth noting that the track design standard for the project is 1At 435 meters, the high-speed train can reach a maximum speed of 250 kilometers per hour. The journey from Bangkok to Nong Khai is approximately 609 kilometers and the estimated travel time is only 3 hours and 15 minutes.
The second phase of the China-Thailand high-speed railway Thai-central line project has a total length of 356 kilometers, including 185 kilometers of ground railways and 171 kilometers of elevated railways. The line will feature 5 stations, including Boya Station, Panpan Pai Station, Khon Kaen Station, Udon Thani Station, and Nong Khai Station, as well as a freight transfer station and maintenance center. Keywords: infrastructure, infrastructure construction, planning and investment.
Once the second phase of the China-Thailand high-speed rail line is completed, it will greatly facilitate the transportation between the four provinces in central Thailand: Nakhon Ratchasima, Khon Kaen, Udon Thani and Nong Khai. The line will not only provide a safe and fast mode of transportation for passengers, but will also serve as a strategic transportation hub connecting Thailand, Laos and China, further promoting the development of the economy** and investment activities.