Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith told reporters earlier in the week the project would break ground at kilometre-170 in Nakhon Ratchasima. The first phase in a project which will link Bangkok to Nong Khai and the northeast border with Laos is only 3.5kms long.
Already dubbed the rail line to nowhere, the first stage will link the current stations of Pang Asok and Klang Dong in Nakhon Ratchasima Province. The second stage of the hi-speed line will connect this mini-line to Bangkok and the third northwards to Udonthani and Nong Khai.
Once launched, hi-speed trains will slash travel times between Bangkok and stations en route to Laos. At present, express trains take more than nine hours to cover the distance and slower ones almost eleven. 12GO ASIA says the master plan shows the Thai hi-speed trains will offer streamlined connections to a longer line being built through Laos to southern China.
Thailand high speed railway upgrade to break ground tomorrow
News in Asia
Thailand’s transport-minister has confirmed tomorrow is the big day when construction of a hi-speed rail project will kick off. Prime-minister Prayut Chan-o-cha is scheduled to attend the ceremony which will launch the first phase of the system and signal a new era in the development of Thai public transport infrastructure.