- Photo: The Nation/ANN
BANGKOK: Delays on three contracted phases cast doubt on whether the Bangkok-Nakhon Ratchasima leg can open on time.
The first phase of the Thai-Chinese high-speed railway running from Bangkok to Nakhon Ratchasima province is currently 71.36% complete, but around 36.39% behind its scheduled opening in 2028, the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) reported on Thursday (Aug 15).
The 873-kilometre rail link megaproject, estimated to cost 341 billion baht, has been plagued by delays caused by financing disputes between the two countries.
The construction on Thailand’s part began in 2017, followed by years of delays.
The first phase covers a distance of 253 km from the capital to the northeastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima, comprising 14 work contracts with an estimated total budget of 179.41 billion baht, Anan Nimphodaeng, deputy governor of SRT, said.
However, the railway authority has had to adjust the draft plan for contract no.3-5, covering the distance from Khok Kruat to Nakhon Ratchasima stations, switching from a ground-level track to an elevated track over a distance of 7.85 km, he said.
The change, expected to cost an additional 2.05 billion baht, aims to minimise the impacts on surrounding communities and facilitate future land development, Anan explained.
He added that the additional funding required is still within the limit of the total budget approved for this phase, of which about 10.86 billion baht remains.
The SRT expects the change to be approved by its board and the Transport Ministry in September.
Anan said the second contract currently on hold is no. 4-5, running from Ban Pho to Phra Kaew station in Ayutthaya province over a distance of 13.3 km with a budget of 9.91 billion baht.
He said the Office of Natural Resources and Environment Policy and Planning has ordered the SRT to prepare an HIA (Heritage Impact Assessment) report on the Ayutthaya Historical Park, where a new station will be built.
The authority submitted the report on Aug 9 and is waiting for approval, he added.
The last contract that is hitting a snag is no. 4-1, covering the Bang Sue-Don Muang section with a budget of 9.02 billion baht.
Anan said the SRT is currently waiting for the contractor working on the high-speed rail linking three airports, which has an overlapping area, to sign a deal accepting the terms of SRT working on this area.
The draft of the deal is being reviewed by the Eastern Economic Corridor Office and should be ready for signing after this month, said Anan.
In summary, of the total 14 contracts under phase one, two are now completed, nine are under construction, and three are on hold, he said.
The high-speed railway will link China and Thailand via Laos as part of China’s global Belt and Road Initiative.
Phase 2 from Nakhon Ratchasima to Nong Khai will link with the Laos-China railway and is expected to open in 2030, marking the completion of the project. - The Nation/ANN
