[Project] Thailand - Double Track Railway Initiative Phase Two

[Bossza007]

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TYPE	Infrastructure
CLIENT	Thailand
PROJECT	Double Track Railway Initiative Phase Two
PROJECT COST	4,242,799,177.92
COMPLETION DATE	09/06/2025
PROJECT INFORMATION	SRT Line Map Full Image (7,237 × 10,000 pixels, file size: 14.1 MB, MIME type: image/jpeg ​ Double Track Railway Initiative Phase Two Project Title: Double Track Railway Initiative Phase Two Project Code: TH-DRI-002 Date of Approval: August 12, 2005 Version: 1.0 Approval and Endorsement Authorities National Assembly of Thailand Approval Date: January 21, 2005 Approval Margin: Supermajority (89%) Community Assemblies Approval Date: March 2, 2005 Approval Margin: 84% of Assemblies in Favor Federation of Worker Council Unions of Thailand Approval Date: May 19, 2005 Approval Margin: 95% Approval Unions of Regional Consumer Councils Approval Date: July 7, 2005 Approval Margin: 90% Approval National Economic Planning Board Approval Date: August 7, 2005 Approval Margin: Consensus Achieved (100%) Project Overview Project Lead: Ministry of Transport Project Coordinator: Chadchart Sittipunt, Minister of Transport Project Duration: 12 Months (August 2005 – August 2006) Development Agency: State Railway of Thailand (SRT) Collaborating Bodies: Ministry of Labor Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment Ministry of Commerce Ministry of Social Development and Human Security Ministry of Industry Thailand Development Research Institute Green Thailand Environmental Council Funding and Resource Allocation Total Budget: 144.51 Billion Baht Funding Sources: National Budget Allocation: 100% Resource Contributions: Engineering Expertise and Design Contributions: 40% Construction Materials and Equipment: 30% Environmental Impact Mitigation Resources: 20% Technological Integration for Rail Operations: 10% Compliance and Ethical Oversight Compliance Certifying Authority: National Ethical Oversight Board (NEOB) Ethical Review Status: Approved (Unanimous) Data Privacy and Security: In full compliance with the People’s Digital Privacy Act (PDPA 2004) Public Transparency: All project documents available on the National Digital Archive Citizen Participation Citizen Feedback Sessions: 350 Sessions Nationwide Digital Polling and Surveys: 5 Million Responses Collected Public Forums and Debates: Conducted in All Major Regions Expected Impact and Outcome Improved Rail Transport Capacity: A 120% increase in freight and passenger capacity on key national rail corridors within 2 years of completion, supporting economic growth and regional trade. Reduced Transit Times: Expected 30% reduction in travel and freight times, boosting efficiency for commuters and logistics operations. Regional Development: Enhanced connectivity to underserved areas, promoting balanced regional development and access to economic opportunities. Post-Implementation Review Scheduled Review Date: August 13, 2007 Reviewing Authorities: National Audit Office Independent Citizen Review Committee (ICRC) Participatory Democracy Research Institute (PDRI) Description The modernization of Thailand's intercity railway network, which spans over 4,845.1 kilometers and serves 47 provinces, has been a longstanding objective of the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) since the administration of former Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai. This initiative seeks to upgrade the existing single-track system to a double-track network, enhancing the efficiency of both passenger and freight transport, improving the quality of life for Thai citizens, and supporting sustainable national economic development. Under the Ministry of Transport’s guidance and in line with democratic processes, the second phase of the Double Track Railway Initiative is integral to a broader strategic plan to convert all intercity and commuter rail lines to double-track systems, enabling trains to operate at speeds ranging from 80 to 120 kilometers per hour. This upgrade involves comprehensive improvements, including the construction and modernization of train stations, route junctions, freight terminals, signaling infrastructure, automation systems, interlocking mechanisms, control systems, and safety protocols, all of which are crucial to optimizing the efficiency and safety of rail operations. As highlighted during the 2004 National Economic Planning Conference, the strategic rationale for the comprehensive development of Thailand's double-track railway system emerged from a consensus recognizing that rail transport will ultimately become a cornerstone of the nation's transportation infrastructure. The vision is to transform rail operations into an accessible and integrated public transportation system, increasingly relied upon by the population. With over 13 million Thais, representing approximately 18.5% of the national population, depending on rail transportation daily, the benefits of rail travel are becoming more apparent, including lower maintenance costs, reduced energy consumption, enhanced travel convenience and speed, improved security, and better integration with other transportation networks, such as land, sea, and air, all contributing to a higher quality of life. In the SRT’s vision, railways not only facilitate regional economic prosperity through decentralization but also support tourism infrastructure, boost freight transport, and enhance Thailand’s competitiveness and global appeal within the context of a socialist mode of production. As visualized in the SRT Line Map, the second phase of the Double-Track Railway Initiative covers 7 lines spanning 1,483 kilometers across the country. The route and length of each line is as follows: Pak Nam Pho — Den Chai; 285 kilometers Chira Road Junction — Ubon Ratchathani; 308 kilometers Khon Kaen — Nong Khai; 167 kilometers Chumphon — Surat Thani; 168 kilometers Surat Thani — Hat Yai Junction — Songkhla; 321 kilometers Hat Yai Junction — Padang Besar; 45 kilometers Den Chai — Chiang Mai; 189 kilometers
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