News Forum - Doubts over Thailand’s 2028 completion date for high speed rail link

[Thaiger]

Despite last week’s announcement that the high speed railway from Bangkok to the Lao border would be completed by 2028, there remains lingering doubts whether the Thai government is fully committed to the project, valued around US$12 billion. Questions are being raised about perceived benefits to Thailand or how the government can recover any of the costs. The new Chinese-designed high-speed rail service will run up to 250 kilometres per hour. The Thai Transport and Foreign Affairs ministries declared on July 6 that the country will complete the 609 kilometre high-speed rail from Bangkok to the Lao border at Nong […]

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[Prosaap]

They can not even finish the sidewalks in pattaya making a bigger mess then it was before they start 

[Highlandman]

No surprises there. Since I first read this story 2 weeks ago, I knew that there was no way that the whole line would be completed in just 6 years from now.

It will be a miracle if the Nakorn Ratchasima (Korat) section is completed by 2026 as proposed. No idea why they don't try to build the entire line simultaneously (perhaps working from each end or something) and opening it section by section as is done in other countries.

The Bangkok to Korat section on it's own is useless; within 2 years the motorway (expressway) from Bang Pa-in to Korat will be completed so most travelers will rely on that, which will probably be faster than commuting from wherever they are to Bang Sue, waiting for the train and then eventually ending up in Korat, despite its obviously higher speed.

I predict it will take until 2028 or 2029 until just the Korat section is finished, with the full line to Nong Khai not likely to open before 2032 or even 2035.

[Noble_Design]

I was on the way back from Khao Yai last week and while passing the province of Saraburi I saw some constructions that I suspected was part of this HSR line. I asked my wife to check and indeed it was.

Saraburi is about 1.5 - 2 hours away from Bkk so I'm guessing this stretch could possibly be completed under 5 years.

Pics courtesy of FB:

[samiam123]

Still waiting for them to start building the eastern one going to Pattaya.  Apparently they are still negotiating over land rights and payments.

https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Transportation/Bangkok-s-new-train-terminal-offers-hope-for-end-to-traffic-woes

Edited January 24, 2023 by samiam123