He explained that a length of track this short would not be long enough to test high-speed trains on. He carried on by saying that for proper trials, the track would need to be a minimum of 100kms long.
Mr Ratchapolsitte noted that building a short stretch of track would require extensive funding and much of the plant equipment needed had fixed costs which were the same for small or large projects. He finished off by saying it would be far better to lay down new tracks all the way from Bangkok to Nong Khai.
This line would be a part of a trans-Asia railroad which China has labelled the One Belt One Road. The Bangkok to Nakhon Ratchasima section is 250kms long and the 3.5km segment is near Klang Dong Station in the latter province.
Several new high-speed train lines are in the pipeline and all part of the Thai government’s aim of improving transportation options. 12GO ASIA sells tickets for trains operating between Bangkok, Nakhon Ratchasima, Udon Thani and Nong Khai.
Experts say review of Nakhon Ratchasima train line upgrade needed
News in Asia
Thai transport specialists say a proposal to build a short stretch of high-speed train track in Nakhon Ratchasima needs re-thinking. Spokesperson Samart Ratchapolsitte alleged that the plan to build just 3.5kms of track is not the best use of resources and investment funds.