Consultants for 2-track rail lines

Completion of the study is expected late next year.
The lines will have to be capable of handling high-speed trains, which will connect to China in the future.
Chaiwat Tongkamkoon, deputy director-general of the office, yesterday said there was an urgent need for the two double-track lines.
One is a 737-kilometre Nong Khai-Nakhon Ratchasima-Sara Buri-Laem Chabang-Map Ta Phut line, with a project value of Bt392.57 billion, and the other is a 655-km Chiang Khong-Den Chai-Ban Phachi line, which has a project value of Bt348.89 billion.
The planned project period runs from 2015 to 2021.
The first of these lines has been prioritised, given its connection in Vientiane with the high-speed rail route from Southern China.
Both lines will be designed to cope with trains travelling at up 250 kilometres per hour.
The Bt350-million cost of the study will be much lower than that for the high-speed train project, the environment and investment patterns, said Chaiwat.
The Land Transport Department will invest in the projects, and the State Railway of Thailand will take responsibility for rail operations.
After the study is completed, the results will be forwarded to the National Economic and Social Development Board and the Office of National Environment Board, prior to being submitted to the Cabinet for budget approval.
Chaiwat said China had expressed interest in investing in the projects after the National Council for Peace and Order gave them both the green light.
“China’s commercial counsellor [to Thailand] met Soithip Traisuth, the permanent secretary for transport, last week. He expressed interest in investing in both lines of standard-gauge double-track railway.
“He talked about the earlier agreement on establishment of a China-Thailand joint venture [for the projects]. However, we don’t know yet which pattern China wants to make the investment,” he added.