🚂 Thailand’s Den Chai-Chiang Khong Railway project is well underway, with construction already 3% complete! This impressive double-track railway, spanning 323.1 kilometers, will enhance connectivity in the northern region and is set to be finished by 2028. #ThailandRailway #ConnectivityBoost #TransportationLeap #TourismAndTrade #SustainableFuture 🌟🌏🚄
Project Overview
Thailand is on the verge of a significant transportation leap with the Den Chai-Chiang Rai-Chiang Khong double-track railway project. Set to traverse 323.1 kilometers, this ambitious undertaking aims to link the northern region by rail and is scheduled for completion in 2028. The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has reported that the project is not only on track but also slightly ahead of its timeline, with construction being approximately 3% complete.
Land Acquisition and Compensation
The project necessitates the expropriation of 7,400 plots of land, a process that has achieved an 80% completion rate. The SRT has managed to secure these plots at a cost of 10.6 billion baht, with land procured from both private ownership and various state agencies such as the Agricultural Land Reform Office, Royal Forest Department, and Treasury Department. Those who have had their land acquired for the project are to receive compensation at a rate 3.2% higher than the average prices stated by the Treasury Department.
Infrastructure Milestones
Among the highlights of the railway project is the construction of the Mae Ka Tunnel, a 2.7-kilometer passage that connects Lampang to the neighboring Phayao province. Work on this tunnel has been in progress for eight months, and it is expected to be completed within 45 months. The tunnel, one of four planned, is designed with resilience in mind, able to withstand earthquakes and equipped with modern flood prevention and drainage systems.
Tunnel Specifications
The tunnels will cut through mountains at elevations on par with a 20-storey building, with the collective length totaling 13.5 kilometers. The Ngao district tunnel in Lampang is set to be the longest in the country at 6.24 kilometers, while the other two tunnels will measure 1.17 kilometers and 3.4 kilometers respectively.
Local and Economic Implications
The double-track railway is more than just an infrastructure project; it’s a catalyst for regional development. Local communities have been cooperative, recognizing the anticipated benefits of improved transportation links. The railway is expected to boost tourism significantly and facilitate trade, particularly with China. Additionally, the SRT has plans to develop intermodal facilities in Chiang Rai’s Chiang Khong district to reduce logistics costs, in partnership with the Customs Department.
Construction Contracts and Costs
The project has been divided into three primary contracts to manage the extensive workload. The first section, stretching 103.7 kilometers, has been awarded to ITD-Nawarat Joint Venture with a 26.56-billion-baht contract. The second section, a 132-kilometer stretch, has been awarded to CKST-DC2 Joint Venture for 26.89 billion baht. The final 87-kilometer section has been granted to CKST-DC3 Joint Venture at a cost of 19.38 billion baht.
Strategic Significance
The Den Chai-Chiang Rai-Chiang Khong railway is a part of Thailand’s broader vision for national transport infrastructure. It is also integral to the third phase of the country’s inter-city rail network development strategy. SRT officials highlight the project’s long-term benefits, including reductions in road accidents, transport costs, traffic emissions, and energy consumption.
The SRT remains optimistic about meeting the set operational date in 2028, and with the project advancing as planned, Thailand is set to see a transformative enhancement of its rail transport capabilities in the coming years.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far along is the Den Chai-Chiang Khong Railway project, and when is it expected to be completed?
The Den Chai-Chiang Khong Railway project has made significant progress, with the construction being approximately 3% complete as reported by the State Railway of Thailand (SRT). The ambitious double-track railway, spanning 323.1 kilometers, is set to be finished by 2028, offering a notable boost in connectivity for the northern region of Thailand.
What are the details and benefits of the land acquisition process for the railway project?
For the Den Chai-Chiang Khong Railway project, about 7,400 plots of land are needed. This process is already 80% complete, with a total cost of 10.6 billion baht incurred for securing these plots from private and state agency ownerships. The compensation rate for landowners is 3.2% higher than the average prices stated by the Treasury Department, ensuring a fair settlement. The project is expected to bring numerous advantages, such as enhanced tourism opportunities and improved trade, particularly with China.
Can you provide insights on the infrastructure milestones and the tunnels within the railway project?
One of the infrastructure highlights of the Den Chai-Chiang Khong railway is the Mae Ka Tunnel, which extends 2.7 kilometers and connects Lampang with Phayao province. This tunnel, along with three others totaling 13.5 kilometers in collective length, is designed to be earthquake-resistant, with modern flood prevention and drainage systems in place. The longest tunnel in this project, located in the Ngao district of Lampang, will be 6.24 kilometers, setting a record for the country. Construction of these tunnels is not just an engineering feat but a promise of greater resilience for the region’s infrastructure.
