Third tunnel on new line between Den Chai in Phrae and Chiang Khong at the Lao border in North Thailand nearing completion
Work on the Song Tunnel, which lies on the new railway line currently under construction between Den Chai in Phrae and Chiang Khong at the Lao border, is about 90% complete, according to the State Railway of Thailand (SRT).
Anan Pho-nimdaeng, acting governor of the SRT, who presided over a ceremony in Phrae’s Song district on Tuesday to mark the successful drilling of the tunnel, called the progress a “significant milestone” in the development of a new northern rail link.
The construction of the 1.059-kilometre tunnel began on Feb 16 last year. The tunnel is now about 90% complete, and the SRT is planning to connect the tracks by the end of this year, Mr Anan said.
As of yesterday, three of the four tunnels planned along the 323-kilometre Den Chai–Chiang Rai–Chiang Khong route have now been successfully drilled — the Song Tunnel in Phrae, the Doi Luang Tunnel in Chiang Rai, and the Mae Ka Tunnel in Phayao.
The last tunnel, called the Ngao Tunnel, is scheduled to be drilled through by September next year.
The final tunnel, located in Lamphang’s Ngao district, will be 6.211 km long. Once completed, it will become the longest railway tunnel in Thailand.
The route leading to it will traverse several mountain ranges, offering a scenic journey that the SRT expects will attract both domestic and international tourists once the line opens.
All tunnels are being constructed as single-track passages equipped with modern safety systems, including earthquake-resistant shock-absorption structures, advanced drainage for flood protection, and emergency shelter tunnels every 240 metres to ensure maximum safety during monsoon conditions or unforeseen incidents, Mr Anan added.
Overall construction progress on the Den Chai–Chiang Rai–Chiang Khong railway has reached about 46%, slightly ahead of schedule.
The 85-billion-baht project is expected to be completed in June 2027, with full service slated to begin in 2028.
Source: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/3136961/third-tunnel-on-new-line-in-north-nearing-completion
