Thai government presses ahead with $820m double-track railway extension

A train station at Kohn Kaen, Thailand (Image: Nick Hubbard, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

Thailand’s Ministry of Transport has indicated that it wants to press ahead with a second-phase, dual-track railway project between Khon Kaen and Nong Khai.

It said that the timeline for the project, mooted earlier this year, depends on the outcome of an environmental assessment.

The Ministry of Transport expects the new line to enhance trade between Thailand, Laos and China while at the same time reducing transport costs.

In September, the State Railway of Thailand asked for government approval of more than 50 billion baht (US$1.4 billion) to finance the project, as well as three Red Line electric train route extensions.

The move came after transport minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit issued a directive to accelerate key railway projects

The second phase of the double-track route linking Khon Kaen to Nong Khai would cover a total distance of 167km and is expected to cost 29.7 billion baht (US$820 million).