The Government plans to develop train services in Thailand on a full-cycle basis and sets a target to make the train service a source of national pride in 2020, when its two-trillion-baht infrastructure mega-projects are completed.
The issue was discussed at
a workshop, held on board a special train from Bangkok to Nakhon Pathom on 8
August 2013. The workshop on the railway development plan was chaired by Prime
Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.
Also participating in the
workshop were Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong,
Transport Minister Chadchart Sittipunt, Permanent Secretary for Transport
Police General Wichean Potephosree and Governor of the State Railway of
Thailand Prapat Chongsanguan.
Government Spokesman Teerat
Ratanasevi said that, in developing the train service and railway system, a
target has been set to reduce the proportion of Thailand’s transport and
logistics costs to GDP. People will be urged to turn to travel more by train.
The train speed will also be increased, while rail transport will be linked
with airports and sea ports.
The Prime Minister
suggested that personnel involved with train service be developed to cope with
the expansion of the rail system transport network in the future. She assigned
the State Railway of Thailand to work with other related agencies, such as the
Ministry of Finance, in creating models for railway development and the asset
management of the State Railway of Thailand.
The high-speed train
project under the two-trillion-baht investment plan will initially cover 1,447
kilometers in total length. It will pass through 24 provinces, with more than
200 trips a day, and will provide service for more than 40 million passengers a
year. Thailand would be the first country in ASEAN to have the high-speed train
system in 2020. More than a century ago, Thailand’s train service was known as
the most advanced in Asia, so the Government’s goal is to regain that position.
Moreover, in the
development plan, all existing railway lines will be changed to double-track
lines to facilitate transport and logistics system in Thailand.
The Prime Minister
emphasized the improvement of train toilets and guide posts to show directions
clearly. In the initial stage, she proposed that the Bangkok-Hua Hin route and the
Bangkok-Ayutthaya route be included in the pilot project for train service
improvement to attract both Thai and foreign passengers.
The Prime Minister said
that the Government attaches great importance to the development of train
service and railway system. The policy aims to develop Thailand as a transport
hub in ASEAN and link Thailand with neighboring countries in order to expand
business opportunities.
She said that the
Government was confident that this development plan would enhance Thailand’s competitiveness
in the world at large, while distributing wealth to the regional areas of the
country.
(thailand.prd.go.th)