The construction phase for the Khon Kaen-Nong Khai dual-track railway project has been completed. The project, part of Thailand’s extensive railway development strategy, comes with a median price tag of 28.72 billion baht. The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has opened bidding for the first of seven dual-track train routes in Phase 2 of the Dual Track Railway Project. Bids can be submitted via the electronic public procurement system (e-bidding) on August 20, 2024, from 09:00 to 12:00.
Prospective bidders must meet several qualifications. They should not be in the process of dissolving their business, should not be barred from government contracts, and should not appear on the job leavers list. Additionally, bidders must have relevant experience in railway construction, with past contracts worth at least 4.31 billion baht. Joint ventures must comprise juristic persons, with at least one Thai juristic person holding over 50% of the venture. The SRT aims to sign a contract with the winning bidder by the end of 2024, with construction slated to commence immediately. The new railway is expected to open between 2027 and 2028.
The Khon Kaen-Nong Khai dual-track railway is the first project in Phase 2 of Thailand’s dual-track railway initiative, encompassing seven routes over a total distance of 1,479 kilometers with a budget of 275.3 billion baht. This phase follows the Cabinet’s approval on October 16, 2023, to extend the first phase, which covers seven routes totaling 993 kilometers with a budget of 120 billion baht. The Khon Kaen-Nong Khai railway will integrate with the existing dual-track system at the Chira-Khon Kaen junction, enhancing Thailand’s rail network.
The new railway will stretch 169 kilometers from Khon Kaen Station to Nong Khai Station. It features a 1.00-meter gauge track running parallel to the current line, including 159.5 kilometers of ground-level track and 9.5 kilometers of elevated track. The project will add 15 stations and 2 stops, all with high platforms, and includes the construction of three container depots and a light maintenance workshop at Nong Khai Station. Additionally, 31 automobile bridges and 53 underpass roads will be built, along with fences along the railway line.
Spanning Khon Kaen, Udon Thani, and Nong Khai provinces, the railway will serve multiple stations, including Khon Kaen, Samran, Nam Phong, and Udon Thani. The project entails the expropriation of approximately 184 rai of land, with compensation costs of 369 million baht. It is projected to serve 3,300 passengers daily in its first year, rising to 5,500 by its 30th year. Freight volume is expected to start at 3.30 million tons per year, increasing to 4.20 million tons over the same period.
The other six routes in Phase 2 of the dual-track railway project, covering 678 kilometers and costing 164 billion baht, received government approval on June 19, 2024. These routes include Chumphon-Surat Thani, Surat Thani-Hat Yai-Songkhla, and Denchai-Chiang Mai. The Ministry of Transport plans to submit these routes for Cabinet approval between July and October 2024. Three additional routes—Paknam Po-Denchai, Jira-Ubon Ratchathani, and Hat Yai-Padang Besar—are also pending Cabinet approval by the end of 2024.
Overall, the dual-track railway project encompasses 14 routes nationwide, totaling 2,472 kilometers. Upon completion, it promises to significantly reduce travel times and improve the efficiency of goods transportation across Thailand.
The announcement event was attended by various officials and stakeholders, highlighting the government’s commitment to enhancing the country’s rail infrastructure.
