The public debate was staged at Pattaya’s Asia Hotel. State Railway of Thailand planners were on hand for the unveiling of the plan. The total length of the line is 260kms, although the team did not reveal the specific route the tracks would take as this has not been agreed on yet.
Thailand’s transport planners have previously stated that apart from the three airports, the wish-list of stations en route includes Chachoengsao, Chonburi, Si Racha and Pattaya. The proposed rail connection is all part and parcel of the Thai government’s aim of upgrading national transport infrastructure.
There are trains from Bangkok to Pattaya at present but 12GO ASIA explains they are slow and take around four hours to get there. In contrast, travel times between the two locations by bus, taxi or passenger van average only two hours.
Bangkok triple airport rail link inches closer to reality
News in Asia
The first public discussion on a proposal to build a rail link from Bangkok to Rayong was held last week. If the plan comes to fruition, the rail link will connect Bangkok’s two airports, Don Meuang and Suvarnabhumi, with Pattaya’s U-Tapao Airport and Rayong.