Thai-Chinese high-speed rail project slips on first phase

The Thai-Chinese high-speed rail project is well behind schedule. Its first phase runs between Bangkok and Nakhon Ratchasima. As The Star reported, that delay is raising doubts over whether services can begin in 2030 as previously planned.

Thai-Chinese high-speed rail project progress and 2030 target

Anan Phonimdaeng is deputy governor and acting governor of the State Railway of Thailand (SRT). He said the 250.77-kilometre section has a total investment of THB179.41221 billion (US$5.471 billion). The project is being developed through Thai-Chinese government cooperation. It uses Chinese high-speed rail technology throughout. So far, cumulative progress has reached 52.4 per cent. That is 28.2 per cent below the target of 80.73 per cent.

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He said the 2030 service opening target has become extremely tight. The remaining civil works will require at least another three and a half years. Only then can the areas be handed over for system works under Contract 2.3. “If processes under the three civil works contracts and the rail system installation contract remain delayed beyond the revised plan, it could affect the overall service opening schedule,” Anan said.

At the same time, he said several pending procedures cannot move forward. Clarity is still needed on a new SRT board and board chairman. Those positions are needed to approve decisions. They must also formally sign the employment contract for the SRT governor. This would allow management to continue without disruption.

Contract status on the Bangkok–Nakhon Ratchasima route

The project is divided into 14 civil works contracts. Two have already been completed. Contract 1-1 covers the 3.5-kilometre Klang Dong–Pang Asok section. The Department of Highways built it at a cost of THB362 million. Contract 2-1 covers the 11-kilometre Sikhio–Kut Chik section. It is valued at THB3.11498 billion. Civil Construction Services & Products Company Limited is the contractor.

Contracts 3-1 to 3-3

Another 10 contracts are under construction. Contract 3-1 covers the Kaeng Khoi–Klang Dong and Pang Asok–Bandai Ma sections. Their combined length is 30.21 kilometres. The budget is THB9.34899 billion. The contractor is ITD-CREC No. 10 Joint Venture Company Limited. It is made up of Italian-Thai Development Public Company Limited and its CREC partner. Work has reached 30.06 per cent. The delay stands at 0.9 per cent.

Meanwhile, Contract 3-2 includes the Muak Lek and Lam Takhong tunnels. It spans 12.23 kilometres. It carries a budget of THB4.27933 billion. Nawarat Patanakarn Public Company Limited is handling the work. Progress has reached 99.8 per cent. The delay is 0.13 per cent.

Separately, Contract 3-3 covers the Bandai Ma–Lam Takhong section. It covers 26.10 kilometres. Its budget is THB9.838 billion. Thai Engineers and Industry Company Limited is the contractor. Completion stands at 59.7 per cent. Delays have reached 24.8 per cent.

Contracts 3-4 and 3-5

Also, Contract 3-4 covers the Lam Takhong–Sikhio and Kut Chik–Khok Kruat sections. It runs over 37.45 kilometres. Its value is THB9.848 billion. Italian-Thai Development Public Company Limited is the contractor. Progress is at 99.8 per cent. The delay stands at 3.2 per cent.

Still, this contract is facing construction problems. A crane collapsed onto Special Express Diesel Railcar Train No. 21 on the Krung Thep Aphiwat–Ubon Ratchathani route. That left as many as 32 people dead. Construction has been suspended. Investigators are completing their review. The Office of the Attorney General is also expected to respond. That response could lead to termination of the contract.

In addition, Contract 3-5 covers the 12.38-kilometre Khok Kruat–Nakhon Ratchasima section. Its budget is THB7.75 billion. SPTK Joint Venture is carrying out the work. The venture consists of Napa Construction Company Limited, Tim Sekata Sdn Bhd and Bina Puri Sdn Bhd. This package has fallen badly behind. The alignment in the Korat area was changed from an embankment to an elevated track. That increased the budget. The revised amount must now go to the new Cabinet for approval. Progress is 17.6 per cent. Delays stand at 81.9 per cent.

Contracts 4-2 to 4-7

For example, Contract 4-2 covers the 21.80-kilometre Don Mueang–Navanakorn section. It is budgeted at THB10.57 billion. Unique Engineering and Construction Public Company Limited is the contractor. Work there is 10.1 per cent complete. The delay is 58.9 per cent.

Also, Contract 4-3 covers the 23-kilometre Navanakorn–Ban Pho section. Its budget is THB11.52536 billion. The contractor is C.A.N. Joint Venture Company Limited. It is formed by Napa Construction Company Limited, Tim Sekata Sdn Bhd and Bina Puri Sdn Bhd. Progress has reached 64.7 per cent. Delays stand at 35 per cent.

Meanwhile, Contract 4-4 concerns the Chiang Rak Noi maintenance depot. Its budget is THB6.573 billion. Italian-Thai Development Public Company Limited is the contractor. Progress stands at 56.2 per cent. Delays stand at 33 per cent.

At the same time, Contract 4-6 covers the 31.60-kilometre Phra Kaeo–Saraburi section. It is valued at THB9.429 billion. Unique Engineering and Construction Public Company Limited is the contractor. Completion has reached 20.7 per cent. Delays are 46.5 per cent.

Still, Contract 4-7 covers the 12.99-kilometre Saraburi–Kaeng Khoi section. It has a budget of THB8.56 billion. Civil Engineering Public Company Limited is the contractor. Progress stands at 70.6 per cent. Delays stand at 4.2 per cent.

Land handover issues and unstarted sections

Two packages have still not started. One is Contract 4-1 for the Bang Sue–Don Mueang section. The other is Contract 4-5 for the Ban Pho–Phra Kaeo section.

Anan said some stretches of the Thai-Chinese high-speed rail project still face obstacles. Those problems have slowed construction. Land handover issues are one factor. Unresolved issues in three contracts are another. For Contract 4-1, the Bang Sue–Don Mueang section overlaps with the high-speed rail project. That project links the three airports. The project is waiting for the Office of the Attorney General to respond to a revised draft contract. The draft is designed to match the development of shared infrastructure. This matter will also require approval from the new government.

Contract 4-5 redesign

In addition, Contract 4-5 covers the Ban Pho–Phra Kaeo section and includes Ayutthaya station. The SRT has prepared a plan to reduce the station’s size. The aim is to comply with the approach in the Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) report. The redesign will stay within the same contract and concept. This would allow further changes if they are needed later.

Separately, the SRT expects to complete the details for Contract 4-5 within six months. It will then submit them to the SRT board. After that, it plans to launch a tender for a new contractor. If the process moves ahead as planned, civil works could begin within this year. The works would cover the track structure.

Contract 2.3 and rolling stock procurement

Anan also said Contract 2.3 covers the procurement of rail, electrical and mechanical systems as well as rolling stock. It was signed in 2019. It reaches the end of its five-year term this year. At the initial stage, the SRT will have to negotiate with the Chinese side. The aim is to revise the work plan and prepare details for a further extension. The SRT has still been unable to issue the notice to proceed (NTP). The civil works areas have not yet been fully handed over.

Meanwhile, future talks will focus on asking the Chinese side to move gradually into construction areas in phases. This would allow system installation to proceed in parallel with the completion of civil works.

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