Rayong rail link reports due in July Route now likely to include Chachoengsao Published: 6/05/2010 at 12:00 AM Newspaper section: Business
Feasibility studies for the Bangkok-Rayong high-speed train are expected to take two months, says Supa Piyajitti, director-general of the State Enterprise Policy Office.
The rail line is the first of four high-speed rail routes planned under the Thai Khem Khaeng infrastructure investment programme.
One likely change to the project is that routing will now include Chachoengsao province, which would increase the system's financial returns, say authorities.
Running the track from Bangkok to Chachoengsao to Rayong would extend the route to 221 kilometres. For a system with trains that run at 160 kilometres per hour the total investment, including land expropriation, is projected at 55 billion baht with an expected internal rate of return (EIRR) of 13.24%.
If authorities plan instead for trains capable of 250 kilometres per hour, the EIRR rises to 15.4% with investment costs increasing to 56.6 billion.By contrast, a route from Bangkok to Bang Pakong and Rayong would measure 194 kilometres. Investment costs with a 160 km/h train system would total 52.1 billion baht with an EIRR of 9.85%. Using the 250 km/h train system would raise investment costs to 53.6 billion baht with an EIRR of 13.25%.
Ms Supa said maximum returns would come from the Chachoengsao route and the 250 km/h train system. In her view, while this is also the most expensive option, the extra cost is relatively small.
Planners estimate that up to 13,200 people per day would ride the train, with one-way fares starting at 350 baht. Intermediate stops would be made at Chachoengsao, Pattaya and Chon Buri.
The high-speed train would cut travel time from Bangkok to Rayong to just one hour, compared with more than three hours by road currently.
Once the feasibility studies are complete, the Finance Ministry will invite leading train suppliers to present their views about the suitability of the planned route and the available technology options, said Ms Supa.
The other three high-speed routes planned under the 20-year, 800-billion-baht programme are Bangkok to Padang Besar on the Thai-Malaysian border; Bangkok-Nong Khai in the Northeast; and Bangkok-Chiang Mai.
The four routes would cover 2,000 kilometres and allow travel from the capital to any region in the country within five hours.
I just wonder why Thaksin still wants to be involved in politic . He is 60 years old and still has time to enjoy his money in this wonderful world. Even the Abhisit took his porperties and his access worst 1.4 US dollars and according to the world report . Thaksin still has between 3 to 4 billions US dollars and has the income from his companies about 200 to 300 millions per years so enought money to support the red shirt to demontration and camping and feeding million of the red shirt protesters for many years.
Wait until Thailand stop buying an electric-City from Laos first, then I'll believe that Thailand will have a new clear plant. Oh, i hope i don't see another protester on the street again ok brother 50cent.
50 cent just want to show-off and scare his under developed neighbouring countries that's all, But the man(50-cent) didn't realized that his under developing neighbors follow evry move that Thailand made. and in my personal opinion, Thai citizens wouldn't never allow that government to built Newclear plant..
