Junta approves two high-speed lines
It must run in 2021: the high-speed train. Not at a speed of 200 km per hour but 160 km. The first two lines to be built represent a strategic route for China to gain greater economic influence in the region.
The NCPO (junta) yesterday gave the green light for the construction of the Chiang Khong (Chiang Rai)-Ban Phachi (Ayutthaya) line, 655 km long, and Nong Khai-Map Ta Phut (a large industrial complex), which will stretch for gets 737 km. They both ignore Bangkok [Geographically right]. Construction costs are 741,4 billion baht; for financing, a working group with representatives from the National Budget Bureau and the Ministry of Transport will come up with a proposal in a month's time.
The lower high speed is somewhat cryptically explained by Soithip Traisuth, permanent secretary of the Ministry of Transport, with: 'The standards for the high speed double track will be maintained, but the maximum speed must be reduced in order to achieve a higher level in the future after more investments. speed.'
Double track on six lines
The junta has also agreed to double the track on six routes. An attempt is being made to reduce the initially estimated construction costs from 500 to 600 million baht per kilometer to 350 to 400 baht. A study will be carried out on this.
The six routes are: Jira Junction (Nakhon Ratchasima)-Khon Kaen (185 km), Prachuap Khiri Khan-Chumphon (167 km), Nakhon Pathom-Hua Hin (165 km), Map Ka Bao-Nakhon Ratchasima (132 km), Lop Buri-Pak Nam Pho (Nakhon Sawan) (148 km) and Hua Hin-Prachuap Khiri Khan (90 km).
Other investments in the railways include the purchase of 106 new locomotives. Twenty have already been bought; they will be shipped to Thailand next month. The article makes no mention of the purchase of new wagons, which would not be an unnecessary luxury either.
(Source: Bangkok Post, July 30, 2014)
That HSL sounds more like a GSL (regular speed line). Will the track gauge then meet the international (sort of) standard of 1432mm? It is as efficient as the train can continue to China, for example, and with those speeds it is also nice…
I assume so, the track doubling elsewhere of the narrow gauge does not sound like they are doing it in such a way that standard gauge can also be installed there relatively easily in the future. I have no idea whether it would not be useful to immediately lay single/double normal track there next to the narrow gauge so that it can be removed in the long term…
Surprising that with Chiang Mai and Bangkok left or maybe left and not just a little bit. They won't be happy about that in either city. Anyway, if you look at the map, it's a logical choice.
Fiat? After our experiences with the Fyra, I wouldn't choose an Italian product 😉
I find the route chosen to be quite astonishing indeed. I think passenger trains run to transport passengers. Those passengers live in the major cities. So if you ignore Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phitsanulok, you don't attach much importance to the fact that those trains will also be filled with passengers. In this way, tourists will not easily use these inaccessible high-speed trains. In short: wasted money. I don't know whose pockets this will end up in. But I think the owners of Nok Air and Thai Air, which provide services to the said cities, will be pleased. Because they have little to fear from this high-speed train. Perhaps these are the same people to whom that aforementioned money goes. So they go in nicely.
The article does not mention it, but previous articles pointed out the importance of a good connection with China (I seem to remember). Freight transport is the most important player for profit in the Netherlands. Will it be much different in Thailand? Especially if you want to delegate truck transport to rivers and iron rivers (boat and train). The image also mentions “transport infrastructure”. So I suspect that the project/route is mainly intended for a good freight transport connection with China, among others.