He noted that the upgrades would speed up journey times on the three arterial rail routes and was all part of the master plan to enhance the Thai rail travel experience. The first of the planned upgrades is for the Northern Line from Bangkok to Chiang Mai. The 150kms of track between Pak Nam Pho and Lopburi will be upgraded.
The second sector is 130kms long and runs between Thanon Chira Junction and Map Kabao on the line to the northeast region of Esarn. At 165kms, the Southern Line sector linking Nakhon Pathom and Hua Hin is the longest of the current proposed railtrack improvements.
Deputy-minister Chivapruck says the proposals will be submitted for approval within the next couple of weeks and they should be put out to tender by the end of October at the latest. The total value of the contracts is more than THB70 billion and the deputy-minister stated the terms of reference were being tweaked to allow more contractors to bid.
Thai railways to upgrade three more key routes to twin track
News in Asia
Thailand’s Ministry of Transport says it is already to seek cabinet approval for the upgrade of three more sectors of railway lines in the country. Deputy-minister Ormsin Chivapruck says the proposal is to change almost 500kms of tracks from single to double.