AYUTTHAYA, 11 May 2015 – A public hearing on the Thai-Chinese project to build double-track railways was held on Monday in Ayutthaya Province to gather public opinions and their suggestions on the project.
Chaiwat Tongkamkoon, Deputy Director-General of the Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning Office who presided over today’s public hearing said that people shared their views and concerns over the construction of two railway routes Nakhon Ratchasima-Laem Chabang-Map Ta Phut route and Kaeng Khoi-Ban Phachi – Bang Sue route. Their discussion covered engineering, environmental and social impacts of the railways projects.
The double-track railways will be built in three phases, with 500 km. in combined distance. The railway uses electric system, allowing trains to move with high speed but still safe and convenient for both passenger and goods traffic. The construction will be taken from 2015-2022. Once completed the project is expected to turn Thailand to a key strategic and AEC logistics gateway while enhancing Thailand’s competitiveness in international trade.
A public opinion survey shows that Thai people felt positive towards the railway projects as they consider them as a great opportunity to overhaul rail transport in Thailand.
Ayutthaya is one of provinces located on the line of the new double-track railway routes. It is expected that the railways would bring more tourists to the province, possibly resulting in more investment, increasing number of jobs and higher incomes for local communities.
