Bangkok: The Cabinet has approved the double-track railway project "Chumphon - Surat Thani - Hat Yai - Padang Besar," allowing the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) to proceed with the second phase of its southern railway expansion. This project, with a budget exceeding 106 billion baht, aims to enhance connectivity from the first phase and integrate with the Thai-Malaysian rail system, with completion targeted for 2033.
According to Thai News Agency, the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) announced the Cabinet's approval for the Phase 2 Southern Double-Track Railway Construction Project. This initiative, proposed by the Ministry of Transport under Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, Mr. Pipat Ratchakitprakarn, aims to improve rail infrastructure, enhance network efficiency, support passenger travel, tourism, and freight transport, and bolster the country's logistics competitiveness.
The project encompasses three sections: Chumphon-Surat Thani, Surat Thani-Hat Yai Junction, and Hat Yai Junction-Padang Besar, covering approximately 502.45 kilometers with a total budget of around 106,798.32 million baht. This development seeks to address the single-track system's limitations, where trains traveling in opposite directions must wait at stations for track switching. The double-track system will allow trains to pass each other without waiting, thereby increasing capacity, efficiency, and punctuality.
Additionally, the project involves upgrading the signaling system to enhance train operations' efficiency and safety, catering to increased passenger and freight train frequencies in the future.
The Southern Double-Track Railway Project Phase 2 is pivotal for the southern region's logistics system development. It will connect economic zones, key cities, tourist areas, and production regions along the southern coast to Thailand's main railway network.
The Hat Yai Junction-Padang Besar section will link Thailand's railway network with Malaysia, boosting international rail freight transport capabilities and supporting trade, tourism, and economic connectivity in the region. It will also promote Thailand's status as a transportation and logistics hub within ASEAN.
Following the Cabinet's approval, the SRT will expedite procedures like preparing tender documents, conducting electronic bidding, reviewing proposals, and submitting procurement results in line with relevant laws and regulations. The focus will be on transparency, cost-effectiveness, and maximizing national benefits. The SRT plans to complete the bidding process and sign contracts by 2027, with the project finalization expected by 2033.
To mitigate flooding impacts in the Hat Yai area, the SRT has modified the railway structure from an embankment to a viaduct between Khlong R.1 and Khlong U-Tapao, spanning approximately 3 kilometers. This change aims to minimize water flow obstructions and provide more drainage space under the railway, especially during heavy rainfalls and floods.
Moreover, the use of overpass structures will enhance the drainage system's flexibility, improve the railway structure's stability, and ensure continuous train operations during floods.
For the Hat Yai-Songkhla section, approximately 29.22 kilometers, encroachment issues will be addressed in the next phase. The overall project focuses on developing the main network continuously from Chumphon through Surat Thani and Hat Yai Junction to Padang Besar, efficiently supporting Thailand-Malaysia rail connectivity.
The Southern Double-Track Railway Project Phase 2 represents a significant advancement in upgrading Thailand's rail infrastructure, enhancing the southern double-track railway network's capacity for travel and freight transport, and connecting the economy and tourism of southern provinces while extending the rail link through Padang Besar to Malaysia to support future international rail travel, trade, and transport.