The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) is moving forward with the bidding for 5 double track routes valued at over 92,031 million baht, with the aim to finalize contracts by November this year. Thirteen private companies are competing for the Hua Hin-Prachuap Khiri Khan route on July 27, 2017, while proposals for 9 new routes are set to be presented to the super board in the fourth quarter, with hopes to submit to the Cabinet by the end of 2017.

Mr. Anan Luangboriboon, the acting governor of the SRT, revealed the progress of the 5 double track railway projects covering a total distance of 668 kilometers and valued at over 92,031 million baht. The SRT has already sold all bidding documents and aims to complete the bidding process by September, with contracts for all 5 routes signed by November 2017. On July 27, bidding will open for the double track railway from Hua Hin to Prachuap Khiri Khan, which spans 84 kilometers and has a base price of 7,305 million baht, with 13 qualified private companies participating.

Following this, the SRT will expedite work on other routes, such as the Prachuap Khiri Khan-Chumphon route, covering 167 kilometers, with a budget of 16,234 million baht, the Map Kabao-Chum Thong Jirarat route, spanning 132 kilometers, with a budget of 28,505 million baht, and the Lopburi-Pak Nam Pho route, covering 116 kilometers, with a budget of 23,921 million baht.

Mr. Anan also discussed the progress of another 9 double track railway projects, covering a total distance of 2,217 kilometers and valued at 398 billion baht, which are investment projects by the SRT included in the urgent action plan for transportation in 2017. The super board has instructed the SRT to review these projects, and clarity has been achieved on almost all, except for the routes from Hat Yai to Padang Besar, covering 75 kilometers, and from Den Chai to Chiang Mai, covering 217 kilometers, which require further detailed studies.

Nevertheless, the SRT will expedite the proposal to the super board and the Ministry of Transport within the fourth quarter to seek Cabinet approval for the projects by the end of 2017, adhering to the established timeline. Subsequently, it is expected that bidding documents can be gradually sold, and the projects can be opened for bidding in early 2018.

The 9 double track projects include the Den Chai-Chiang Rai-Chiang Khong route, covering 326 kilometers with a budget of 76,978.82 million baht; the Ban Phai-Nakhon Phanom route, covering 355 kilometers with a budget of 60,351.91 million baht; the Chumphon-Surat Thani route, covering 167 kilometers with a budget of 23,384.91 million baht; and the Surat Thani-Songkhla route, covering 339 kilometers with a budget of 51,823.83 million baht.

Additionally, the Hat Yai-Padang Besar route covers 75 kilometers with a budget of 7,941.80 million baht; the Pak Nam Pho-Den Chai route spans 285 kilometers with a budget of 56,066.25 million baht; the Den Chai-Chiang Mai route covers 217 kilometers with a budget of 59,924.24 million baht; the Khon Kaen-Nong Khai route spans 174 kilometers with a budget of 26,065.75 million baht; and the Chum Thong Jirarat-Ubon Ratchathani route covers 309 kilometers with a budget of 35,839.74 million baht.

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