Two working groups studying high-speed rail project
The Transport Ministry has set up two working groups to evaluate the economic worthiness of the country’s high-speed rail project, expecting the 256-kilometre Bangkok-Korat section to be the first route of the system.
Deputy Transport Minister Chatt Kuldiloke said yesterday that the rail system would use the standard gauge of 1.435 metres. The railway will also have dual tracks.
“Over the next few weeks, we will come to a conclusion on passenger capacity and fares,” he said.
Chatt said design work for the Bangkok-Nakhon Ratchasima high-speed railway should begin next year. This route will serve transport demands of the Asean Economic Community, which will take effect in 2015. The next step in the process is to seek approval from the State Railway of Thailand’s board of directors.
“The project is expected to require borrowing. The procedure for mobilising money needs further consideration.”
He said the ministry had cancelled the idea of laying the 1.435-metre-gauge track in parallel to the 1-metre track used by existing Thai railways, as it would complicate the project. The ministry will conduct more feasibility studies on which bridges need to be widened as well as expropriating more land.
Apart from the Bangkok-Korat project, the three other routes the government announced previously that it would invest in are Bangkok-Chiang Mai, Bangkok-Hua Hin and Bangkok-Rayong.
According a recent study, the Bangkok-Nakhon Ratchasima high-speed railway will require investment of Bt96.83 billion, with capacity of up to 24,300 passengers a day. Travelling time will be about 1.59 hours with a fare of Bt410 per person per trip.
The 745km Bangkok-Chiang Mai trip will take about 3.73 hours. Investment is expected at Bt229.8 billion. It will be capable of carrying 34,800 passengers a day, and the fare will be Bt1,190 per person.
The Bangkok-Hua Hin route is about 225km with travelling time of 1.15 hours, and investment will be Bt82.16 billion. The route is expected to serve 13,800 passengers per day and the fare will be Bt360.
The 221km Bangkok-Rayong high-speed train is expected to take 1.11 hours after investment of Bt72.26 billion. It will be able to carry 13,200 persons per day. The fare will be about Bt350.
