The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has approved a 181-day extension for Contract 3-2 of the Thai-Chinese high-speed rail project, covering the Bangkok–Nakhon Ratchasima section

The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has approved a 181-day extension for Contract 3-2 of the Thai-Chinese high-speed rail project, covering the Bangkok–Nakhon Ratchasima section

The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) board has approved a 181-day extension for Contract 3-2 of the Thai-Chinese high-speed rail project, covering the Bangkok–Nakhon Ratchasima section.

The civil works contract for the Muak Lek and Lam Ta Khong tunnels, originally ending on June 7, will now conclude on December 5.

The extension, caused by delayed land expropriation and handover, will not incur additional costs or affect other project segments.

The delay impacted construction of a ground-level embankment and the Phasadet Bridge.

All required land has now been handed over, and the contractor is instructed to proceed within the new schedule.

Valued at 4.27 billion baht, the 12.23 km contract includes 8 km of tunnels, 3.27 km of embankment, 0.96 km of elevated structures, four railway system buildings, and access roads.

Construction began on 19 April 2021 and is now 90.94% complete.

The board also approved a draft Royal Decree for land expropriation in Phase 2 of the project (Nakhon Ratchasima–Nong Khai).

The draft, covering 1,991 plots across Nakhon Ratchasima, Khon Kaen, Udon Thani, and Nong Khai (approx. 1,345 rai and 1,428 structures), with compensation totaling 12.42 billion baht, will be submitted for Cabinet approval by June.

Phase 2, spanning 357.22 km from Nakhon Ratchasima Station to the Thai side of the Mekong River, includes five stations and supporting infrastructure. Approved by the National Environment Board and the Cabinet, bidding preparations are underway.

The project is part of China’s One Belt One Road (OBOR) initiative.

Source: Thai Enquirer on X