The revamp of the 309km length of line between Chira Junction and Ubon Ratchathani will see an extra track added. Curves will also be banked up and straightened slightly to allow for faster trains. A total of 34 new stations will be built in locations including Surin, Buriram and Nakhon Ratchasima.
The completion date for the track upgrade and station construction has been tentatively scheduled for 2021 and trains are expected to start running on it the following year. The planners say the project will have negligible environmental impact as it does not encroach on conservation or water catchment zones.
A spokesperson at the meeting noted that once services on this line are operational it could be extended as far as the national border with Laos. He continued by saying the extension would facilitate Thai-Lao trade and tourism links plus help cement Thailand’s position as the transport hub of Southeast Asia.
Bangkok Ubon Ratchathani high speed trains in seven years
News in Asia
The Thai railway route from Bangkok to Ubon Ratchathani is to get a major upgrade that will allow it to handle 160kph trains. Last week, local dignitaries attended a public meeting in Surin where the draught plans for the line were unveiled.