China-Thailand railway agreement likely be signed in October: Thai transport minister

[艹艹艹]

China-Thailand railway agreement likely be signed in October: Thai transport minister
Source: Xinhua| 2020-05-25 22:30:18|Editor: huaxia

BANGKOK, May 25 (Xinhua) -- The "Contract 2.3" for the Bangkok-Nakhon Ratchasima high-speed railway between Thailand and China is likely to be signed in October, said Thai Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob on Monday.

Saksayam made the announcement after attending a virtual meeting of the 28th Thai-Chinese Joint Committee with Ning Jizhe, vice chairman of China's National Development and Reform Commission.

The minister said the Thai and Chinese team had agreed that the contract, estimated at 50.6 billion baht (1.58 billion U.S. dollars), involves the cost of purchasing track, electricity systems and machinery, as well as procurement of train carriages and training.

Under the contract, 80 percent of the payment will be made in the U.S. currency and the remaining 20 percent in Thai baht.

There is a total of 14 contracts involved in the 253-km rail route from Bangkok to Nakhon Ratchasima in the Northeast as a part of the Sino-Thai high-speed train project, linking Bangkok to Nong Khai, bordering Laos.

Saksayam said depending on the COVID-19 pandemic situation, there is a possibility that the signing might take place earlier than October.

The minister said that Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha will preside over the signing ceremony at the Government House, and according to the plan, the first 253-km leg of the railway will commence service in year 2023.

 

[GHALIB]

very good .

 

[Daniel808]

Finally, China-South East Asia Railway Network become reality

 

[艹艹艹]

Rail route draft gets SRT nod
PUBLISHED : 20 JUN 2020 AT 04:00​

The board of the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) on Thursday approved a draft on the so-called Contract 2.3 with China to begin the construction of a high-speed train project from Bangkok to the northeastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima.

SRT governor Niruj Maneepun yesterday told the media that Contract 2.3 is worth 50.6 billion baht, which includes funds for the railway system, rolling stocks and staff training.

The approved draft of the contract will be forwarded to the Office of the Attorney-General for vetting before cabinet approval.

The signing of the contract will be carried out in October as planned, Mr Niruj said.

Contract 2.3 is one of seven railway contracts worth a total of 179.4 billion baht for the Bangkok-Nong Khai High-Speed Train Project. Contract 2.3 would cover the project's first phase, which is a 253-kilometre stretch from Bangkok to Nakhon Ratchasima.

Contract 2.3 is considered to be the most important one as it covers the essential railway and operation system.

The construction for the whole project has been ongoing since 2018 and it is expected to finish in 2023.

 

[艹艹艹]

Khon Kaen set to become transport hub
High-speed rail to spur local businesses

PUBLISHED : 15 JUL 2020 AT 06:00

The second phase of the Sino-Thai high-speed railway (HSR) will help Khon Kaen realise its potential as a transport hub in the Northeast, according to provincial governor Somsak Jangtrukul.

"When the high-speed trains are ready to roll, Khon Kaen will be [the region's] public transportation hub," said the governor at the second public hearing for the 365-kilometre long rail route, which will link Nakhon Ratchasima with Nong Khai through Khon Kaen and Udon Thani.

The first hearing was held in Nakhon Ratchasima on Monday. Another forum is scheduled in Udon Thani today and in Nong Khai tomorrow.

About 500 people attended the second hearing on Tuesday, which was held at the Khon Kaen International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Khon Kaen already has a large elevated train station, as well as a fully operational double-track railway which serves both passenger and cargo services.

Several new road projects are currently under construction and the airport is currently being expanded, the governor added.

"The expansion will increase Khon Kaen airport's annual passenger handling capacity to 5 million, with six new aprons currently being built in addition to the five already in operation," said Mr Somsak.

According to Mr Somsak, the second phase of the project will accelerate the development of a rail transport network across key provinces in the Northeast, which will in turn spur businesses located along the high-speed rail route.

Phase 2 of the project will see the construction of five stations along the line, namely Bua Yai Station in Nakhon Ratchasima, Ban Phai Station in Khon Kaen, Khon Kaen Station in the city centre, Udon Thani Station and Nong Khai Station.

The line will have the standard track gauge of 1.435 metres and a total of 241 crossings, said Mr Somsak.

Once completed, a trip from Bangkok to Nong Khai will only take about three hours and 15 minutes.

Design and feasibility studies for the second phase of the project, which began last year, are due to be completed next year, said Mr Somsak.

The Northeast's cultural identity will be incorporated into the design of the stations, he said.

The hearing in Khon Kaen came after the board of the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) last month approved the draft of the so-called "Contract 2.3" with China, paving the way to begin construction of the high-speed train project.