Transport Minister affirms high speed train project benefits Thailand

BANGKOK, July 20 (TNA) – The National Legislative Assembly (NLA) acknowledged the first phase of high speed train project, connecting the capital and the Northeast region, which is expected to start operations in the next four years. Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith told the NLA meeting that the government will invest 179 billion baht in the 253-km high speed railway from Bangkok to Nakhon Ratchasima. The minister said the route will have six stations, starting at the central terminal of Bang Sue. The train will travel at the speed of 250 kms per hour and will take about 1.30 hrs for travelling the whole route. Initially, the fare is set at 535 baht when it starts operation in 2021. The fare will be raised by 15 per cent every year. Each train has a passenger capacity of 600 people, Mr Arkhom said adding that it is expected about 5,310 passengers daily at the beginning and the number is likely to increase to 16,620 passengers a day in the next ten years after it starts operations. He said the high speed rail project will link transportation between Thailand, China and other ASEAN countries and will push Thailand to be the transportation hub. It will also help connect the East Economic Corridor as well as promotes tourism and border trade. Most of the NLA members supported the project, which will provide economic benefit and be worthwhile in the long term. It will help increase investment in the Northeast and improve quality of life of people in this region. However, they asked the government to undertake the project carefully and questioned while the government decided to invest in the project alone instead of investing in the form of a joint venture. The minister said he would forward the NLA advice to the government for further consideration. (TNA)