SRT tasked to complete Sino-Thai railway by next year

The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has been tasked with completing the high-speed Sino-Thai railway project by the first quarter of next year, according to the directive given to its new director, Veeris Ammarapala.

Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit announced that Veeris will outline his policies to the SRT by early next month, following the Cabinet’s approval of his appointment.

Veeris’s top priorities include resolving the SRT’s substantial 230-billion-baht debt and shifting the primary logistics transportation mode from road to rail, aligning with the government’s preference for rail transport.

The Transport Ministry also mandated the SRT to expedite the search for a private bidder to complete the second phase of the double-track railway project, valued at 298 billion baht. This phase encompasses six routes.

Furthermore, the ministry aims to accelerate the construction of the 356-kilometre Nakhon Ratchasima-Nong Khai section of the Sino-Thai high-speed railway project, which is worth 341.35 billion baht. The goal is to finalise this section within the first quarter of next year. The SRT has been assigned the responsibility of finding a private company to operate the railway concession, said Suriya.

“In 2025, Thailand and China will celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations. Therefore, the SRT must complete both phases of the Sino-Thai high-speed railway project quickly.”

The first phase of the project includes a 250-kilometre section connecting Bangkok and Nakhon Ratchasima. The Nakhon Ratchasima-Nong Khai section forms part of the second phase. Both sections are anticipated to be operational by 2028, reported Bangkok Post.

In related news, Thailand will launch a new train service linking Bang Sue in Bangkok to Penang, Malaysia, within the next two to three months. The initial phase will be a six-month trial period, marking a significant step in cross-border transportation.

In other news, nine railway projects totalling 661 billion baht (US$19.7 billion) in investment are set for Cabinet approval next month, according to Deputy Transport Minister Surapong Piyachote. Among these is the 357-kilometre second phase of the Thai-Chinese high-speed train system.