Railway project expansion on track for approval
>> The second phase of the double-track railway projects worth 395 billion baht is likely to be forwarded to the cabinet for consideration before year’s end, according to the State Railway of Thailand (SRT).
Acting SRT governor Anon Luangboriboon said the nine railway projects covering 2,217 kilometres have been examined by the SRT board and are pending review by authorities.
Once the schemes are officially approved, they will be submitted to the cabinet for final approval, which is expected to take place before the year’s end.
Mr Anon said the drafting of the nine projects is expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2018, with a bidding to be called in the middle of next year.
The nine projects are the 77-billion-baht Den Chai-Chiang Rai-Chiang Khong section; the 60-billion-baht Ban Phai-Mukdahan-Nakhon Phanom; the 23-billion-baht Chumphon-Surat Thani; t he 51-billion-baht Surat Thani-Songkhla; the 7.9-billion-baht Hat Yai-Padang Besar; the 56-billion-baht Pak Nam Pho-Den Chai; the 60-billion-baht Den Chai-Chiang Mai; the 26-billion-baht Khon Kaen-Nong Khai; and the 35-billion-baht Chira-Ubon Ratchathani section.
The tentative schedule was unveiled after the SRT last week announced the winners of the first phase of double-track projects, which comprise five routes covering 668km.
The projects are divided into 10 small contracts and the SRT is expected to sign nine of the 10 contracts with the winners next month.
The five routes are the 16-billion-baht Prachuap Khiri Khan-Chumphon section; the 28-billion-baht Map Kabao-Thanon Chira; the 23-billion-baht Lop Buri-Pak Nam Pho; the 19-billion-baht Nakhon Pathom-Hua Hin; and the 7.3-billion baht Hua Hin-Prachuap Khiri Khan section.