3-airport high speed railroad to begin construction in July

[Gaybutton]

But won't go into service until at least 2032.
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SRT unveils timeline for 3-airport high-speed rail, seeks new Cabinet approval

by THE NATION

February 18, 2026

Anan Phonimdang, Deputy Governor of the State Railway of Thailand and Acting Governor of the State Railway of Thailand (SRT), revealed after the SRT board meeting on Wednesday (February 18) that the board acknowledged the progress of the High-Speed Rail Linking Three Airports Project (Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi, U-Tapao).

Currently, the SRT has submitted a report proposing an amendment to the project's principles to the Eastern Economic Corridor Office of Thailand (EECO).

This is in preparation to present it to the Cabinet for consideration to amend the joint investment principles, in accordance with the prior resolution made by the Eastern Economic Corridor Policy Committee (EECPC).

The key elements of the principle amendment include:

* The method of paying the Public Investment Cost (PIC): Previously, once the private sector commenced the high-speed rail operation, the state would pay in instalments totalling THB149.65 billion. This is adjusted to instalment payments based on work progress inspected and accepted by the SRT, with a limit not exceeding THB120 billion.
* The schedule for paying the joint investment rights fee for the Airport Rail Link (ARL) project: The private sector will divide the rights fee payment of THB10.67109 billion into 7 equal annual instalments, with the first instalment to be paid on the date of signing the amended contract.

"The matter of amending the principles is considered finalised on the SRT's part. We have discussed this with the private sector, concluded, and submitted it to the EECO. After this, the EECO will propose it to the Cabinet to amend the principles, which are the original principles already considered by the EECPC. This involves adjusting the method to a 'pay-as-you-build' approach and the instalment payments for the Airport Rail Link rights fee."

Anan also stated that while waiting for the consideration of the contract principle amendment, the SRT will discuss with the Office of the Attorney General to prepare the final draft contract before preparing to sign the amended contract with the private contracting party, Asia Era One Co., Ltd., which has the Charoen Pokphand Group (CP) as its major shareholder.

The SRT has assessed the preliminary operational framework and expects to propose the draft contract to the Cabinet for consideration this June, before signing the contract in July 2026 and issuing the Notice to Proceed (NTP) within 30 days, or in August 2026.

Taking 5 years for construction and another 6 months for system testing, it is estimated that the service can commence in 2032.

Regarding the preparation of the final draft contract, the Office of the Attorney General previously raised concerns about setting the project guarantee at THB4.5 billion and the civil works guarantee for the state's co-investment portion, where the EECPC required the private sector to place an additional guarantee of approximately THB160 billion in exchange for the 'pay-as-you-build' condition.

The Office of the Attorney General suggested combining both guarantees.

However, the private sector insisted on separating the guarantee amounts and discussed this with the SRT until a conclusion was reached to separate the said amounts, as they are guarantees for different scopes of work.

Furthermore, the civil works guarantee for the state's co-investment portion is an additional condition imposed, requiring the private sector to place an extra guarantee.

This guarantee can only be reclaimed when the project construction is completed as scheduled within 5 years, plus 6 months for system installation and testing.

Therefore, it is not related to the project guarantee, which can be utilised in general cases of potential contract breaches.

The SRT believes it can clarify all these reasons and discuss them with the Office of the Attorney General until a conclusion is reached to start preparing the final draft contract.

Consequently, the negotiation with Asia Era One Co., Ltd. has now concluded that on the contract signing date, the private sector must place a total guarantee for this project of over THB175 billion, divided into:

* Project guarantee: THB4.5 billion
* Guarantee for the state's co-investment cost: THB160 billion

Civil works: THB120 billion

System works: THB40 billion

* Joint investment rights fee payment for the Airport Rail Link (ARL) project: THB10.67109 billion

https://www.nationthailand.com/blogs/ne ... l/40062691

[Jun]

The article says they intend to sign the contract in July. I did not spot the part about starting construction then.
In any developed country, detailed route maps would be published before starting construction. Expect the usual poor design.

Incidentally, in an old fashioned Newspaper, I read that they have ordered six train sets for the high speed service to Nakhon Ratchasima. Six !!!
That means they can't possibly offer a proper frequent service. And what is the point of constructing an expensive high speed line if they don't offer a frequent service ? The whole idea of it should be to win market share and have fewer buses on the road.
Or were they only ever interested in the construction profits ?

[Gaybutton]

I did not spot the part about starting construction then.

You're right. I was wrong about construction starting then. However, even when they announce a starting date, if things go as usual there will be delays. I will only be surprised if there are no delays.

[Jun]

Also expect it to be badly designed, with hideous over sized stations in the wrong place and get an infrequent service with overcrowded trains.

The new train to DMK airport has such a long walk at both stations that it's quicker to take the bus. So that's what I do.

The BKK airport train is better and I make use of it. However, they cancelled the express service over a decade ago. The train frequency is too low and the trains are too small. Plus various design errors with stations.

[KeithAmbrose]

But won't go into service until at least 2032.

That seems highly optimistic!

[Gaybutton]

Also expect it to be badly designed, with hideous over sized stations in the wrong place and get an infrequent service with overcrowded trains.

I hope they at least take into consideration designing it so it will easily be accessible to the handicapped.

[Jun]

I hope they at least take into consideration designing it so it will easily be accessible to the handicapped.

Any new station is likely to be a high level monstrosity, with the platform 2 or more floors up. They will have lifts, but getting to the platform won't be as easy as with the existing station.

On the other hand, boarding the train is likely to be level, so a clear improvement on the existing line.

Additionally, with some of the new rail stations already constructed, instead of allowing people to wander on to platforms at the time of their choosing, they herd people around like in an airport. Therefore degrading the relaxed experience of rail travel. Apparently what has worked for 200 years and continues to work in most countries is no longer good enough for SRT.

I'm just considering the example of Khon Kaen station. An enormous building. The platforms are about 5x the length of the trains. Yet, the next train northbound is over 4.5 hours away, as is the next express south bound train.
Having constructed this, they have no intention of running a proper rail service.
Where I live, there are at least 4 trains per hour in each direction, despite much more modest stations. One has a building about the size of a large 7-eleven and it works fine for a proper rail service.

Also, they plan to build a separate high speed station in Khon Kaen.