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Bangkok–Nong Khai high-speed railway

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The Bangkok–Nong Khai high-speed railway or Northeastern high-speed rail line is a high-speed railway under construction in Thailand. It will be the first high-speed line in Thailand. It will be constructed in multiple phases; the first phase, between Bangkok and Nakhon Ratchasima, is expected to open in 2026 after multiple delays.[2] The rest of the line to Nong Khai and across the Mekong River to Vientiane, Laos is expected to be operational by 2028.[3][4]

Bangkok–Nong Khai high-speed rail line
CRRC Fuxing Series EMU proposed for Northeastern high-speed rail line passenger services.
Overview
Other name(s)Northeastern high-speed rail line
China–Thailand railway
StatusUnder construction (Bangkok–Nakhon Ratchasima)
LocaleThailand
Termini
Continues fromBoten–Vientiane railway (planned)
Service
TypeHigh-speed rail
Operator(s)State Railway of Thailand
History
Commenced21 December 2017 (2017-12-21)[1]
Planned opening2027 (Phase 1)
Technical
Line length253 km (157 mi) (Phase 1)
356 km (221 mi) (Phase 2)
16 km (9.9 mi) (Phase 3)
Number of tracks2
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in)
Operating speed250 km/h (160 mph)

The railway is envisioned to serve as a major connection along the Kunming–Singapore railway central line.

History

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High-speed rail in Thailand was first planned by the Thai parliament in 2010 with a proposal of five routes radiating from Bangkok.[5]

In March 2013, then-transport minister revealed that only one company would be selected to run all high-speed train routes, scheduled to be operational between 2018 and 2019.[6] The first 86 km (53 mi) section from Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal to Ayutthaya was planned to be tendered in late-2013; however following the 2014 Thai coup d'état, plans were deferred.

In November 2014, Thailand and China signed a memorandum of understanding agreeing to create a joint committee construct the Thai portion of the transnational railway running from Kunming, China, to the Gulf of Thailand.[7] In November 2015, both parties agreed to divide the project into four phases.[7] Under the framework, a joint venture will be set up to run the project. China will conduct feasibility studies, design the system, construct tunnels and bridges, and lay track. Thailand will conduct social and environmental impact studies, expropriate land for construction, handle general civil engineering and power supply, and supply construction materials. In 2016, the formal agreement on construction was signed by the Chinese and Thailand governments.[8]

China will operate and maintain the system for the first three years of operation. Both countries will share responsibility from the third to seventh years. Afterward, Thailand will have sole responsibility, and China will advise. China will provide training for operations and maintenance.[9] Despite China offers financial packages for its infrastructure deal, Thailand chose to pay the whole project cost, ensuring the independent ownership of the railway.[10]

Dual standard-gauge tracks will be laid in the project. In Thailand, two routes will diverge at a junction in Kaeng Khoi District in Saraburi Province. One will connect Bangkok to Kaeng Khoi. The other route will connect Kaeng Khoi with Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate of Rayong Province. From Kaeng Khoi, tracks will lead north to Nakhon Ratchasima and on to Nong Khai Province. The Bangkok to Nong Khai HSR line will connect to the 617 km (383 mi) Boten–Vientiane railway from Vientiane to the northern Lao border and the 414 km (257 mi) line from the Lao border to Kunming.[9]

In July 2021, authorities said that "works which will have to be postponed are the [... tracks] between Nawa Nakhon and Ban Pho, between Phra Kaeo and Saraburi"; furthermore another postponement, "presumably until [... 2022 is] the section between Don Mueang and Nawa Nakhon".[11]

As of Q4 2022, the "first phase between Bangkok and Nakhon Ratchasima is [...] behind schedule"; furthermore, it's "15% completed when it should have been 37%"; the Phase 1 line was The phase one was originally set to be completed by 2026,[12][3] but was delayed to 2027. The primary reason was contributed to the COVID-19 pandemic. The initial phase between Nakhon Ratchasima and Bangkok was estimated to cost 5.1 billion US dollars.[13]

Rolling stock

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Northeastern High Speed Railway will use Fuxing Hao CR300AF High-speed rail EMU, produced by CRRC. The CR300AF models has a maximum speed of 300 km/h (Operating speed in Thailand will be 250 km/h).[14]

Construction

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The Northeastern high-speed railway under construction in Khon Kaen Province on 16 May 2017.

Construction is divided into sections: Bangkok–Kaeng Khoi, Kaeng Khoi–Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Ratchasima–Nong Khai. Construction of Thailand's 873 km (542 mi) portion of the railway system started in December 2017 and is expected to take three years for phase 1 to Nakhon Ratchasima. The first contract consisted of a 3.5 km section from Klong Dan to Pang Asok with a budget of 371 million baht after a nine percent decrease from the initial budget.[1]

In February 2018, the Thai transport minister stated that the contract for the first phase, the 250.8 km Bangkok to Nakhon Ratchasima section,[11] would be issued by May 2018. The second contract will cover the 11 km section from Sikhio to Kut Chik. The first phase of the line to Nakhon Ratchasima has been divided into 14 contracts, with contracts 3–7 to be auctioned by June 2018, while contracts 8–14 would be auctioned before the end of 2018. Later, however, there were disputes between China, Thailand and Laos over the financing of the project. Thailand decided to finance its part of the route itself, although only the high-speed route Bangkok – Nakhon Ratchasima is to be built for the time being. After several postponements, the Bangkok (Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal) to Nakhon Ratchasima high-speed rail project (Phase 1) was officially launched by the Thai government in October 2020. However, the Nakhon Ratchasima to Nong Khai section (Phase 2) and the Nong Khai to Vientiane section (Phase 3) has not yet been confirmed.[15]

Construction contracts and progress

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Contracts Details Type Distance
(kilometers) 		Budget
(million baht) 		Contractor
1-1 Klang Dong–Pang Asok Ground level 3.5 425 Department of Highways
2-1 Sikhio–Kut Chik Ground level 11 3,115 Civil Engineering PCL
3-1 Kheang Khoi–Klang Dong and Pang Asok–Ban Dai Mah Ground level and elevated 30.21 9,330 Italian Thai PLC-CREC.
3-2 Muak Lek–Lam Takhong[16] Tunnel[16] 12.23[16] 4,200[16] Nawarat Patanakarn PCL[16]
3-3 Ban Dai Mah–Lam Ta Kong,[16] including Pak Chong station Elevated 26.10[16] 9,838[16] Thai Engineer and Industry Co., Ltd.[16]
3-4 Lam Ta Kong–Sikhio, and Kut Chik–Khok Kruad[16] Ground level and elevated 37.45[16] 7,790[16] Italian-Thai Development[16]
3-5 Khok Kruad–Nakhon Ratchasima[16] Ground level and elevated 12.38[16] 7,700[16] SPTK Joint Venture[16]
4-1[17] Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal–Don Mueang International Airport[17] Elevated 11.83 - Asia Era One Co., Ltd.
(included in construction contract of 3 Airports project)
4-2 Don Mueang International Airport–Navanakhon Elevated 21.80 8,626 Sino-hydro Co., Ltd.
Sahakan Wisawakorn Co., Ltd.
Tipakorn Co., Ltd.
4-3[17] Navanakhon–Ban Pho[17] Elevated[17] 23[17] 11,525[17] China State Construction Engineering Corporation Co., Ltd.
Nawarat Patanakarn PLC.
A.S. Associate Engineering (1964) Co., Ltd.
4-4[17] Chiang Rak Noi depot[17] Ground level - 6,500[17] Italian Thai Development
4-5 Ban Pho–Phra Keaw, including Ayutthaya station Ground level and elevated 13.30 9,913 .
4-6[17] Phra Keaw–Saraburi[17] Ground level and elevated 31.6 9,429[17] Unique Engineering and Construction PLC.
4-7 Saraburi–Kheang Khoi,[16] including Saraburi and Kheang Khoi station Ground level and elevated 12.99[16] 8,560 Civil Engineering PCL[16]

Route

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A map depicting the planned high speed rail lines of Thailand as of 2022.

Phase 1: Bangkok (Krung Thep Aphiwat) – Don Mueang – Ayutthaya – Saraburi – Pak Chong – Nakhon Ratchasima

Phase 2: Nakhon Ratchasima – Bua Yai – Ban Phai – Khon Kaen – Udon Thani – Nong Khai

Phase 3: Nong Khai – Vientiane (including a new Mekong bridge which is 50 meters from the current one)

 
 
Bangkok (Bang Sue)
 
Nong Khai
 
Nakhon Ratchasima
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Key stations on the Bangkok – Nong Khai high-speed railway

References

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  1. ^ a b Jotikasthira, Om (23 March 2018). "Thai Chinese rail project falls in price". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  2. ^ "Thailand's high-speed railway will carry first passengers in 2023". Phuket Gazette. 4 September 2019. Archived from the original on 3 July 2021. Retrieved 7 September 2019.
  3. ^ a b Marukatat, Saritdet (17 September 2021). "Nong Khai plans for rail link with China". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  4. ^ "High-speed rail linking Thailand's Nong Khai and Laos capital Vientiane expected to complete in 2028".
  5. ^ "Thailand to negotiate with China on high-speed proposal". International Railway Journal. 30 October 2010. Archived from the original on 1 November 2010. Retrieved 30 October 2010.
  6. ^ Panchakunathorn, Prach (21 March 2013). "Transport Minister: One firm will run all high-speed train routes". Thai Financial Post. Archived from the original on 2 February 2014. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  7. ^ a b Briginshaw, David (18 November 2015). "Thailand approves Chinese new-line project". International Railway Journal.
  8. ^ Prem Singh Gill (13 November 2023). "Thailand's High-Speed Railway: On the Fast Track to Ties With China, But at What Cost?". The Diplomat.
  9. ^ a b Jikkham, Patsara (17 November 2015). "Sino-Thai railway responsibilities set". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 18 November 2015.
  10. ^ AFP (4 December 2023). "Thailand's China-built high-speed rail, on track but delayed". France24.
  11. ^ a b "Hi-speed rail work delayed over curbs". Bangkok Post. 27 July 2021. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
  12. ^ https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2432925/high-speed-rail-project-behind-schedule. Bangkok Post. Retrieved 2022-11-08
  13. ^ Rogers, David (3 August 2023). "First phase of Thai-China railway to be complete in 2027". Global Construction Review.
  14. ^ Jotikasthira, Om (2 December 2018). "Rail progress tracks full steam ahead". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  15. ^ Jotikasthira, Om; Theparat, Chatrudee (9 March 2018). "New govt 'won't halt airport fast rail plan'". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  16. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t Wancharoen, Supoj (26 November 2020). "B40bn high-speed train contracts inked". Bangkok Post. Archived from the original on 13 October 2021. Retrieved 21 November 2021.
  17. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Wancharoen, Supoj (30 March 2021). "Govt inks civil works contracts for fast rail". Bangkok Post. Archived from the original on 21 November 2021. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
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