Yingluck directs ministry to fast-track rail projects

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Yingluck directs ministry to fast-track rail projects

Published: 25 Dec 2012 at 00.00
Newspaper section: Business

The government is revising plans for the existing rail system and proposed high-speed rail projects in a bid to hurry investment.

According to Transport Minister Chatchart Sithiphan, the ministry was told by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra at yesterday's meeting to complete the revision within a month.

The ministry's existing plans call for spending 77.8 billion baht on 10 mass-transit projects in Bangkok and the surrounding area, excluding high-speed rail, in 2013.

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maptaphut
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Discussion 5 : 27 Dec 2012 at 03.215
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It is not to believe that a high-capacity double-track rail line already exist on the Eastern Seabord, and with very limited passengertrains. A doubletrack railway has the capacity of a eight-line highway (!), and there should be mixed traffic on this line with fast IC-trains to attract all major cities along the coast, all the way from Phaya Thai to Chonburi,Pattaya and Ban Chang. It would be a profitable line for SRT and much needed for travellers on packed highways.
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ken

Discussion 4 : 26 Dec 2012 at 12.314
Bring it on! Yes these projects have been touted for years, they just need to get on with it. And totally agree we need an Eastern Seaboard high speed rail link that passes thru Chonburi, Laem Chabaeng and Pattaya down to Rayong
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jacksprat
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Discussion 3 : 25 Dec 2012 at 12.103
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Yingluck being quick and decisive? This has been on the table for years. She just got around to telling them to do it.
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Upthehill
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Discussion 2 : 25 Dec 2012 at 11.172
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An Ayutthaya trial line as suggested earlier would be a real waste of money as the number of people wanting to hurry up to get to a cultural event or just visit the historic town would be minimal. On the other hand a trial line to the eastern seaboard would serve well the locals, tourists and massive businesses and industries in that region. Bangkokians want an alternative to a flood prone city, most holidaymakers think of the sea in the first instance and lastly the transport and delivery of people and goods to an area that is already the lifeline of Thailand. Other lines will come on the success of the trial line.
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Upthehill
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Discussion 1 : 25 Dec 2012 at 11.061
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Congratulations to PM Yingluck for being so quick and decisive. These fast rail projects will certainly roll the ball for Thailand. It does not matter who holds the concessions to these projects foe the next 20 years because it will provide employment during construction and once built the benefits for the economies and communities that these lines will reach is going to be enormous. But because the capital in so huge these lines have to go where people want to go and reap the maximum benefits.
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Yingluck directs ministry to fast-track rail projects | Bangkok Post: news