High speed train extension to Rayong to be considered

BANGKOK, Aug 3 (TNA) – The Eastern Economic Corridor committee will consider the extension of high speed rail project to Rayong provincial seat. Kobsak Pootrakool, Prime Minister’s Office Minister said the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) will conduct a feasibility study on the extension of the high speed rail project, connecting three airports for another 30 kilometres from Utapao Airport to Rayong provincial seat. The study will take about 17 months to be finished. The route extension will be proposed for the East Economic Corridor Committee, chaired by the Prime Minister on Aug 10 to seek the budget approval for the project. The route extension will cost additional ten billion baht. The SRT expects the construction of the 30-km extension will be completed in 2024, one year after the finish of the U-Tapao station. Moreover, the high speed rail route, which will connect Suvarnabhumi Airport, Don Mueang Airport and U Tapao Airport will be adjusted not to go through the Map Taphut Industrial Estate to prevent an impact on the industrial estate and the train if any problem occurs. More land will be expropriated for the route change. (TNA)