BANGKOK, 23 August 2012 – Transport Minister Jarupong Ruengsuwan has disclosed that the government will spend more than 400 billion baht in building the hi-speed train system, which he claims will help Thais save on transportation costs.
According to Mr. Jarupong, the high-speed train system will consist of 4 rail lines, which are Bangkok-Nakhon Ratchasima, Bangkok-Hua Hin, Bangkok-Chiang Mai and Bangkok-Pattaya-Map Ta Phut. The combined distance of these railways will be 1,280 kilometers, and the investment budget is estimated at 400 billion baht.
The system, the Transport Minister said, will serve as a new alternative to public transportation for Thai people while helping them reduce traveling costs as energy prices continue to rise. It will also enhance the logistics industry as it will shorten the time required for the distribution of products across the country.
The hi-speed trains will be running on double tracks, which will enable them to travel up to 80-100 kilometers per hour. The construction will start in 2014 and take approximately 5 years to finish.
