The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has given the green light to the second phase of the ambitious Thai-Chinese high-speed rail project. This phase extends from Nakhon Ratchasima to Nong Khai and covers 357,12 kilometers. With planned completion in 2031, this project promises to significantly improve regional mobility and stimulate economic growth.
History of Thai Railways
In October 1890, King Chulalongkorn approved the establishment of a Ministry of Railways, and in 1891, the first railway was started in what was then Siam, from Bangkok to Nakhon Ratchasima. The first train from Bangkok to Ayutthaya ran on March 26, 1894 and the railway network was steadily expanded.
Thai railways are competing with low-cost airlines
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) is competing with budget airlines, which are attractive to travelers because of cheap tickets and shorter travel times. That is why aging diesel trains on routes to popular tourist destinations are being replaced by new electric trains with air conditioning and comfortable seats.
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) will allocate 90 billion baht to double the current single-track railway to the South. The project is in line with the work already started in Chumphon.
Thai state railways want to get rid of diesel locomotives
The Thai Railways (SRT) wants to get rid of the polluting diesel trains more quickly. There is an investment plan to make 500 km of railway tracks electric, which will cost an estimated 30 million baht per kilometer. Due to this conversion, the diesel locomotives must also be replaced by modern electric locomotives and carriages.
Plan for Nakhon Ratchasima – Laos railway line
The Thai Ministry of Transport is developing plans to build a double track link between Nakhon Ratchasima and Pakse in Laos. A feasibility study will first follow. The government of Laos is also in favor of the plan.
Plans high-speed train Bangkok – Chiang Mai studied in more detail
Although the construction of the high-speed train Bangkok - Chang Mai was initially widely announced, the railway company (SRT) is now having doubts. A study on the feasibility of this project by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) ultimately revealed that the returns had been overestimated. It was assumed that 30.000 passengers per day, but this has been adjusted down to 10.000 people per day.
Train tickets in Thailand are becoming more expensive and there will be more service
Deputy Prime Minister Somkid has authorized the Thai Railways (SRT) to raise fares. An important condition is that the service also improves.
The Thai Railways (SRT) has planned to buy 100 new diesel-electric locomotives for 19,5 billion baht. The board of directors of the SRT will make a decision on this in September, after which the Ministry of Transport and the cabinet still have to give their approval.
Plea for the preservation of historic Thai train stations
Now that the Thai railway (SRT) is being modernized, a number of art historians have approached the state-owned company with a request to spare a number of old stations.
Train tickets Thai railways now also for sale online
From 1 February, train tickets from Thai Railways can also be purchased online. The Railways believe that this expansion will result in 50 percent more commuters traveling by train.
Thai Railways SRT will try to reduce debt
The state-owned railway company in Thailand (SRT) has sky-high debts and obsolete equipment. The debt of the SRT is estimated at 100 billion baht. To do something about this, three subsidiaries will be set up to work on debt restructuring.
Train tickets more expensive on four routes next year
The Thai Railways (SRT) will increase the price of train tickets on four routes to the North, Northeast and South. As of March 2017, these will be about 200 baht more expensive.
From Saturday there will be extra security measures at and around Schiphol Airport. The reason for the measures is a signal that relates to the airport and may be related to a terrorist threat.
Metro and rail projects are delayed
Three rail projects in Thailand will take longer than expected. The contracts cannot be signed this year, as previously announced. These are the metro lines Yellow-line (Lat Phrao-Samrong) and Pink-line (Khae Rai-Min Buri).
Four dead in collision at railway crossing
And again a director must have thought: it is still possible, or he has not looked out of his head. Result: four killed in a collision between the Bangkok-Trang train and a car at an unguarded level crossing in Nakhon Si Thammarat.
Chinese loan for construction of three double-track lines
China will provide loans to Thailand for the construction of three double track lines. Repayment takes place in the form of the supply of rubber and rice. The lines represent a significant improvement for transport from the Northeast to the industrial areas in Rayong, Bangkok Post notes.