Thailand’s High-Speed Rail Bidding Opens for 2026

Construction News
Picture courtesy of MGR online

Thailand’s High-Speed Rail Bidding Opens for 2026

The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) is gearing up to open bidding for the cutting-edge Bangkok to Nong Khai high-speed railway in 2026.

This ambitious project promises to revolutionise regional connectivity by reducing travel times and boosting economic growth. SRT chief, Veerath Amrapal, unveiled the plans during a public consultation, highlighting the strategic significance of this Thai-Chinese collaboration.

Veerath emphasised the importance of gathering diverse perspectives to ensure the project meets both public and business needs. By leveraging the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, the initiative aims to modernise Thailand’s infrastructure, engaging private entities in system installation, management, and maintenance. Participation from both local and international firms is encouraged, with Chinese investors showing keen interest.

As part of the roadmap, a private sector consultation is slated for October 2025. The feedback will inform the investment plan and subsequent presentations to the Ministry of Transport by year-end. The Cabinet is expected to review and approve the proposal in early 2026, paving the way for bidding mid-year and an operational launch aimed for 2029.

The project is making good progress, with the first phase’s civil works from Bangkok to Nakhon Ratchasima currently 45.65% complete. The government plans to procure four train sets equipped with Fuxing Hao CR300AF technology from China. Whoever secures the PPP contract will manage this phase, while the government will oversee the initial installations.

Phase two, stretching to Nong Khai, has completed design and environmental assessments, with Cabinet approval secured. Valued at 340 billion baht (approximately 13 billion USD), preparations for the civil contracts are underway. Completion of this phase is anticipated by 2031, propelling Thailand’s rail capabilities to a new level.

Once finished, this high-speed railway will cut travel between Bangkok and Nong Khai to roughly three and a half hours. This advancement not only marks a significant progress in Thailand’s transport infrastructure but also establishes the country as a leader in high-speed rail excellence.

Source: Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-07-17