Single system to be used for all 4 high-speed rail routes, says Chatchart

The country will use only one electric-train system for all four high-speed rail routes, and the auction for the project is expected to take place in the third quarter of the year, Transport Minister Chatchart Sithiphan said yesterday.

He does not want to see each of the four routes using different systems, as that would entail unnecessarily high maintenance costs. It is better to procure the system from only one supplier, he said.

Five train suppliers - one each from China, Japan, South Korea, Spain and France - have expressed interest in bidding for the project. Their bids must be in line with the budget earmarked under the Bt2.2-trillion infrastructure development plan.

Chatchart said progress had been made on the design for the Bangkok-Nong Khai route. The project is expected to be submitted for environmental impact assessment in May.

The design of all four routes will have to be fine-tuned to be in line with the water-management plan, and will be submitted for consideration by the Water and Flood Management Committee.

The Transport Ministry will urge the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) to speed up the process of hiring a consultant to conduct the Bangkok-Rayong route's feasibility study, while the ministry is considering what would be the best of the five options tabled for the Bangkok-Chiang Mai route.

The SRT is considering adjusting the scope of the consultation work on the Bangkok-Rayong route, given its plan to extend the route to Chantaburi and Trat in order to connect with Thailand's neighbours.

The state agency is expected to reach a decision within the next two weeks on whether to adjust the plan.

Europe, many of whom who visited the Kingdom to enjoy its beach resorts, said the executive.