SRT to seek Cabinet approval for 2nd phase of double track railway in September

The agency is working on additional details of the project before it’s presented to the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) later this month.
The council had earlier queried the project on several issues, including its commercial viability and how it will benefit SRT, even though the state-agency has insisted the double-track railway will benefit the country’s transport system.
The second phase covers seven routes, namely the 285-kilometre Paknampo-Denchai route, estimated to cost Bt59.3 billion; the 308km Jira-Ubon Ratchathani route costing Bt36 billion; the 167km Khon Kaen-Nong Khai line costing Bt25.8 billion; the 168km Chumphon-Surat Thani line costing Bt23 billion; 321km Surat Thani-Hat Yai-Songkhla line costing Bt56.1 billion; 189km Denchai-Chiang Mai line costing Bt57.9 billion; and the 45km Hat Yai-Padang Besar route costing Bt7.86 billion.