Thai Official Presents High-Speed Rail Development Plans at IHRA Meeting 2026 in Fukuoka

Key summary

At the IHRA Meeting 2026 held in Fukuoka, Japan, Mr. Pisee Kunatharmrak, Director-General of the Department of Rail Transport, served as a speaker to share Thailand's high-speed rail development strategy with international experts. The presentation highlighted a national plan comprising four main routes and seven projects covering key areas across the country. A primary focus was placed on Route 1 from Bangkok to Nakhon Ratchasima, where civil works have progressed by 56.75%. Route 2, extending from Nakhon Ratchasima to Nong Khai, is being developed under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, with the private sector responsible for operations and maintenance. The official exchange also covered investment models, funding acquisition, risk allocation between public and private entities, construction, operation, and project management. Thailand's four strategic high-speed rail corridors were detailed: the Northern Line connecting Bangkok to Chiang Mai (approx. 669 km, 12 stations) is currently in the study and planning phase, split into segments from Bangkok to Phitsanulok and Phitsanulok to Chiang Mai; the Northeastern/Thailand-China Line linking Bangkok to Nong Khai (approx. 609 km, 11 stations) includes Route 1 (Bangkok to Nakhon Ratchasima, 250.77 km) under civil construction and Route 2 (Nakhon Ratchasima to Nong Khai, 357 km) preparing for bidding; the Eastern Line connects three airports—Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi, and Uttapao (approx. 220 km, 9 stations) and is undergoing PPP contract revision; and the Southern Line runs from Bangkok to Padang Besar (approx. 970 km, 12 stations), passing through Hua Hin, Surat Thani, Hat Yai, and connecting to Malaysia, with the Surat Thani to Padang Besar segment utilizing standard gauge tracks capable of supporting speeds up to 300 km/h across four provinces.