Thai high-speed rail project – three lines to be built initially, system to utilise Japanese trains

thai hsr 01

The KL-Singapore High Speed Rail project isn’t the only fast train development being ramped up in the region – news reports indicate that Thailand is moving ahead with its multi-billion dollar high-speed railway (HSR) project as well.

According to The Nation, three routes are planned to be developed initially, these being the Bangkok-Chiang Mai, Kanchanaburi-Bangkok-Laem Chabang and Bangkok-Sa Kaew lines. A further study will be done on a fourth route from Mae Sot to Mukdahan, the report adds.

Last month, it was reported that the Thai government said it would begin building a 400 billion baht (RM42.7 billion) medium-speed rail project jointly with China in September. Now, the Thai HSR is set to utilise a Japanese system – Japan has signalled a strong interest in helping to develop the project, and both parties are scheduled to sign a memorandum of cooperation later this month.

thai hsr 02

Following the signing, Japanese experts are due to visit Thailand next month and work with Thai authorities to carry out surveys of the routes and designs, a process that will take around six months, the Bangkok Post reports.

Feasability studies on the project were completed in 2012, and a master plan for the HSR published earlier (which only projected two lines, as seen above – the actual line to Laem Chabang is shorter than the initial Rayong projection) stated the system would operate on UIC-60 standard gauge trackwork, with trains running at a maximum speed of 250 km/h.

Construction of the Thai HSR is anticipated to begin next year, and issues such as financing are expected to be resolved by the end of this year.

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Anthony Lim

Anthony Lim believes that nothing is better than a good smoke and a car with character, with good handling aspects being top of the prize heap. Having spent more than a decade and a half with an English tabloid daily never being able to grasp the meaning of brevity or being succinct, he wags his tail furiously at the idea of waffling - in greater detail - about cars and all their intrinsic peculiarities here.

 

Comments

  • Lpost on May 13, 2015 at 1:14 pm

    Wow!! Malaysian HSR will cost rm20b for less than 400km. About 4 times more expensive & length almost 2.5 times less. ticket fare double than thai HSR. Bravo!!! More money to be disappear for ur HSR poject..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 65 Thumb down 23
    • Anti-Pati on May 13, 2015 at 1:24 pm

      Just checked xe.com & 400 baht is RM 42 – so 400 billion baht should be RM 42 billion.

      Jonathan, better correct it before people start frothing at the mouth.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 42 Thumb down 2
      • Anthony Lim (Member) on May 13, 2015 at 1:47 pm

        Haha, yes, it has been corrected. Placed in the decimal point wrongly. Thanks for the heads-up.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 16 Thumb down 3
      • BNaik on May 13, 2015 at 1:57 pm

        Oops too late troopers already comment.

        BN never cheat or lie to Rakyat. We help Rakyat.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 13
        • Same L0rrrr on May 13, 2015 at 5:06 pm

          As I always said, you won’t go wrong with Japanese products. Many are thinking to get a Japanese wife too.

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 9
    • Gargantia on May 13, 2015 at 1:31 pm

      And against Japanese product vs China product.

      Do our Govt BN need to cash so much to the project? With Thailand can cash less for using Japanese product.

      BN corruption under control by some experts? I don’t see the logic.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 23 Thumb down 11
      • kzm (Member) on May 13, 2015 at 1:52 pm

        boleh-singapore hsr speed is plan bet 350-450km/h
        Thai hsr choose max 250km/h…so obviously higher speed need more infra to built..lol

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 28 Thumb down 2
    • kzm (Member) on May 13, 2015 at 1:39 pm

      400billion baht is about rm42.7 billion not rm4.27billion..I think anthony make mistake there

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 13 Thumb down 0
      • Anthony Lim (Member) on May 13, 2015 at 1:46 pm

        Indeed, it is RM42.7 billion. Misplaced the decimal point! Corrected.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 16 Thumb down 3
    • antikbwarriors on May 13, 2015 at 1:52 pm

      you dont even know the specifics and technology to be used in our MY-SG route and you’re still talking like you’re some expert. The costs can be due to the land etc in Malaysia and SG or other factors. Retard. Please do something with your brains and dont reproduce.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 23 Thumb down 7
  • Sparcov on May 13, 2015 at 1:28 pm

    Malaysia land more expensive, labour more expensive, everything also more expensive thats why up to 4 times more expensive

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 18
    • Billy on May 13, 2015 at 2:14 pm

      Last time Malaysia touted this was back in 2003
      I don’t think it’ll happens.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • sam's best friend on May 13, 2015 at 1:43 pm

    What… Malaysian HSR cost $40billion and Thai only cost 4 billion….

    X10 times more.

    OMG songlap by who????

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 27
    • kzm (Member) on May 13, 2015 at 1:54 pm

      Read one more time..

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 15 Thumb down 2
      • sam's best friend on May 13, 2015 at 5:48 pm

        Obviously posted before penipu Anthony changed his 4.2 billion to 42billion

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 3
        • kzm (Member) on May 13, 2015 at 8:17 pm

          lol dont u feel odd when u read 400 billion baht translate to rm4.2 billion?

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • lilytan on May 13, 2015 at 2:56 pm

    Sweet. Next phase should be KL-Bangkok HSR.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 0
    • Ultra2Disk on May 13, 2015 at 5:05 pm

      That part is tricky ! However, if the train track gauge, over head power line voltage, etc is compatible or same, and If KL-MalaysiaThai Border is same standard as Thailand-Bangkok, our train can travel to Thailand too.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • kevinwtj on May 13, 2015 at 3:42 pm

    I think the key takeaway from this is that the Thais walk the talk and keep to project schedules. Whereas the powers-that-be in Malaysia can talk till the cows come home and delays are guaranteed! And when the project finally completes (if ever), you will find the “Start” switch on the train “missing”. Singapore has announced the specific location of the Sg terminus at Jurong East…i.e.Jurong Country Club but Malaysia has yet to confirm any details…unsurprisingly.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 6
    • Tommy on May 14, 2015 at 6:43 am

      Th HSR between Malaysia and Singapore will have 7 stops in Malaysia, namely Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, Seremban, Ayer Keroh, Muar, Batu Pahat and Nusajay. This was announced way back in Oct.2014. You must be sleeping all this while, I guess.!!!1

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • kevinwtj on May 13, 2015 at 3:54 pm

    https://www.facebook.com/WeKeepYourWorldMoving/photos/a.137686272968284.26873.132581033478808/852053754864862/?type=1&fref=nf

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • SavvyKL on May 13, 2015 at 8:43 pm

    Well report have some mistake, china is get Bangkok-Nong Khai HSR line, initially will run at 180km than it can go up to 250km went needed, contruction will start this September, than link to Loas-Kumning HSR which start contruction soon. means Thailand will use both china/Japan HSR system. and also China not interest on Bangkok-Chiang Mai HSR due to complex/time construction over mountain from Nakhon Sawan to Chiang Mai. than Population about 200K, this give ridership very low, than highly is not profit table route and huge operation cost. Bangkok-Nong Khai HSR line is flat land construction.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
    • You need an Englsih teacher! on May 13, 2015 at 10:23 pm

      Seriously, you need an English teacher before you start commenting here.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 1
  • total cost for 669 km of High Speed train from Bangsue Central to Chiang Mai is 426,898.56 Million Baht which includes the first 386 km section from Bangsue Central to Phitsanuloke is 212,893.31 Million Baht and the second section from Phitsanuloke Chiang Mai with the distance of 283 km will have a price tag of 214,005.25 Million Baht.
    the ordinary class will collect the ticket fee at 2 Baht per km + surcharge – effectively caused Bangsue Central to Ayutthaya at 163 Baht and Bangsue Central to Phitsanuloke at 640 Baht with the first class fee for the section from Bangsue Central to Phitsanuloke at 1700 Baht. Once the extension to Chiang Mai has become a reality, Bangsue Central to Chiang Mai for ordinary class is at 1100 Baht with the first class fee for the section from Bangsue Central to Chiang Mai at 2900 Baht.

    12 stations will be built along the High Speed train from Bangsue Central to Chiang Mai.
    1. Bangsue Central
    2. Donmeuang
    3. Ayutthaya
    4. Lopburi
    5. Nakhon Sawan
    6. Phichit
    7. Phitsanuloke
    8. Sukhothai
    9. Sisatchanalai
    10. Lampang
    11. Lamphun
    12. Chiang Mai
    http://www.bangkokbiznews.com/news/detail/545748#sthash.FBGid4fP.dpuf

    http://www.thaihispeedtrain.com/chiangmai/files/Brochure%20Hi-Speed%20Part_3%20.pdf

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
 

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