The SRT’s revised budget is 18.25 billion baht above the previous framework, while the Hat Yai–Songkhla section will be deferred.
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) board has endorsed a revised investment framework of 122.72 billion baht for three Phase 2 double-track railway projects in southern Thailand.
The new budget is 18.2548 billion baht higher than the previous combined framework of about 100 billion baht, SRT Governor Anan Phonimdang said following the board meeting on Tuesday (August 11).
The package covers the Chumphon–Surat Thani, Surat Thani–Hat Yai Junction–Songkhla and Hat Yai Junction–Padang Besar routes. However, the Hat Yai Junction–Songkhla section will be deferred while the railway authority prioritises the main corridors.
Flood-protection redesign raises costs
Anan attributed the higher investment requirement to updates made to the construction plans, particularly measures intended to address flooding in southern Thailand.
Around Hat Yai, approximately three kilometres of track originally designed at ground level will instead be built on an elevated viaduct. A further two kilometres will be constructed on an embankment to improve drainage.
The budget has also been adjusted to account for higher construction-material costs attributed to the effects of war and wider economic conditions.
The board approved the following revised investment figures:
Chumphon–Surat Thani: The budget has increased from 30,422.53 million baht to 36,892.32 million baht, a rise of 6,469.79 million baht. The overall implementation period is seven years, including approximately 60 months of construction.
Surat Thani–Hat Yai Junction–Songkhla: The budget has risen from 66,270.51 million baht to 77,456.97 million baht, an increase of 11,186.46 million baht. The project comprises two sections.
The Surat Thani–Hat Yai Junction section has been allocated 61,534.55 million baht. Its implementation period is eight years, including around 72 months of construction.
The Hat Yai Junction–Songkhla section has been allocated 15,922.42 million baht, although its development will be considered at a later stage.
Hat Yai Junction–Padang Besar: The budget has increased from 7,772.90 million baht to 8,371.45 million baht, a rise of 598.55 million baht. The implementation period is six years, with construction expected to take approximately 48 months.
Hat Yai–Songkhla section deferred
SRT will remove the Hat Yai Junction–Songkhla section from its immediate construction programme because the route passes through densely populated communities.
Other transport systems are also being developed to serve the corridor between Hat Yai and Songkhla.
The railway authority will prioritise completion of the main routes before reassessing whether the Hat Yai–Songkhla section should proceed.
Four contracts planned after Cabinet approval
Anan said all three southern double-track projects had already been approved by the National Economic and Social Development Council.
Following the SRT board’s endorsement, the proposal will be submitted to the Ministry of Transport within this week. SRT will then seek Cabinet approval during the mobile Cabinet meeting scheduled for August 31 and September 1.
Once Cabinet approval is secured, the railway authority plans to begin preparing the terms of reference and tender documents immediately.
Construction will be divided into four contracts:
One contract for Chumphon–Surat Thani
Two contracts for Surat Thani–Hat Yai Junction
One contract for Hat Yai–Padang Besar
SRT aims to begin construction around July 2027.
The Chumphon–Surat Thani section is expected to take 60 months and be completed in 2032. The Surat Thani–Hat Yai section is scheduled to take 72 months, with completion targeted for 2033.
The Hat Yai–Padang Besar section is expected to take 48 months and be completed in 2031.
