SRT’s reform plan approved

The meeting of the council of economic ministers has approved the State Railway of Thailand’s (SRT) reform plan proposed by the Ministry of Transport, Deputy Prime Minister for economic matters Korbsak Sabhavasu said on Wednesday.

“As a first step, the meeting has agreed to allocate 100 billion baht to ensure safety of train passengers and for the construction of four high speed train routes,” Mr Korbsak said. The tracks would run between Bangkok-Chiang Mai, Bangkok-Nong Khai, Bangkok-Chanthaburi and Bangkok-Padang Besar.

The Ministry of Transport and the Office of National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) would discuss and propose the development projects together with details of their investment costs to the cabinet for consideration within 45 days, he said.

The ministry and the state think-tank were also directed to study a high-speed train pilot project linking Bangkok and Rayong province and report within 45 days.

The Public Private Partnership Committee (PPP) would discuss and report on a 30 billion baht rail system linking Thailand and Laos as soon as possible.

The economic ministers approved the proposal to set up three business units within the SRT to supervise administration, train operations and asset management, and a subsidiary to run the Airport Rail Link between Makkasan station and Suvarnabhumi airport.

Mr Korbsak said the Ministry of Finance will be responsible for arranging financing of the SRT development projects. He was confident the railway union would back the plans.