Private Sector Bidding Opens for Two Double-Track Railway Routes Worth 9.975 Billion Baht
March, 5 2021
Private Sector Participation in Two Double-Track Railways
The government is inviting private companies to participate in operating passenger and freight railway services on two major routes:
- Bangkok – Khon Kaen (Northeastern Line)
- Laem Chabang Port – Tha Phra (Eastern Line)
These railway sections will be made available for private operators outside the State Railway of Thailand’s (SRT) schedule to maximize investment value and national benefits.
Investment Details
The government has allocated two railway routes for private sector investment under a 9.975 billion baht budget over 15 years. The project details are as follows:
1. Bangkok – Khon Kaen Route
- Distance: 450 km
- Serves major cities in the Northeast: Nakhon Ratchasima and Khon Kaen
- Operations: 6 daily trips
- Rolling stock: 4 diesel railcars, each with 4 carriages
- Includes:
- Rail yard facilities
- Signaling system
- Ticketing system
- Estimated ridership increase: 2,000 – 2,200 passengers per day
2. Laem Chabang Port – Tha Phra Route
- Distance: 501 km
- Operations: 4 daily trips, increasing to 6 daily trips in year 6
- Annual container capacity: 60,000 – 100,000 containers
- Key freight categories:
- Agricultural products
- Future expansion for mineral and cross-border goods from China and Laos
- Rolling stock:
- 3 locomotives
- 165 freight wagons
- Includes:
- Rail yard facilities
- Signaling system at loading zones
- Estimated cost savings in vehicle usage: 17.16 billion baht
These two double-track railway routes will enhance Thailand’s logistics capacity, complementing ongoing double-track railway projects, including:
- Southern Double-Track Line (Nakhon Pathom – Chumphon)
- Northern Double-Track Line (Lopburi – Pak Nam Pho)
Both projects are expected to be completed within three years.
Private Sector Interest
Several major corporations have expressed interest in investing, including:
- PTT Public Company Limited
- SCG (Siam Cement Group)
- Sri Trang Agro-Industry Public Company Limited
The participation of the private sector in high-potential railway routes will enhance Thailand’s railway efficiency, ensuring the best return on national infrastructure investment and strengthening the country’s logistics sector in the long term.