Track width issues delay construction of hi-speed Thai train line
Thailand’s transport infrastructure chief says construction of a sampler section of hi-speed train line has been delayed yet again. Chaiwat Thongkamkoon told reporters there is a difference in how Thailand and China measure the gauges of tracks and these need to be resolved before any work can go ahead.
The Office of Transport Planning director said the State Railway of Thailand has been asked to speed up the track design so the 3.5km length of line in Nakhon Ratchasima Province can be laid. He added that Chinese civil engineers were working with their counterparts in Thailand on finding a solution.
The mini section of track will run between Klang Dong and Pang Asok in Nakhon Ratchasima. It is part of a greater project which will link southwest China to Singapore. If the project comes to fruition in Thailand, hi-speed trains will connect Nong Khai on the border with Laos and Bangkok.
Thailand’s current train services are not hi-speed, but the four main routes do offer a comfortable means of reaching locations including Suratthani, Hua Hin, Chiang Mai and Ayutthaya. 12GO ASIA provides reliability when booking tickets for travel on State Railway of Thailand trains.
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