Siripong Angkasakulkiat, Deputy Minister of Transport, inspected the construction site of the Thai-Chinese High-Speed Rail Project Phase 1, covering the Bangkok–Nakhon Ratchasima route, with a focus on Contract 4-7, the Saraburi–Kaeng Khoi section, at Saraburi Station. The visit was aimed at monitoring construction progress and expediting implementation to ensure the project remains as close as possible to the planned schedule.
Siripong emphasized the need for the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) to manage the project efficiently while maintaining strict safety standards, particularly in construction areas near existing railway lines and locations with heavy pedestrian traffic. He instructed officials to implement stringent measures to prevent accidents and minimize potential impacts on nearby communities.
For tunnel construction areas, the SRT has been instructed to closely monitor conditions, conduct regular safety inspections, and prepare preventive measures and emergency response plans to strengthen public confidence in the project's safety.
Kamphol Boonchom, Chief Engineer for Special Projects and Construction at the SRT, said the Phase 1 project from Bangkok to Nakhon Ratchasima spans approximately 250.77 kilometers and comprises 14 civil construction contracts.
As of the latest assessment, cumulative planned progress across the project stood at 90.487%, while actual progress was 55.978%, leaving the project 34.509 percentage points behind schedule.
The SRT is closely monitoring and accelerating construction under each contract while coordinating with relevant agencies to address problems and obstacles. The agency aims to ensure that construction proceeds as efficiently as possible and that the project's overall objectives are achieved.
Saraburi–Kaeng Khoi Section Remains Behind Schedule
Contract 4-7, covering the 12.99-kilometer Saraburi–Kaeng Khoi section, has recorded cumulative planned progress of 81.50%, compared with actual progress of 73.25%, leaving the section 8.25 percentage points behind schedule.
Construction of elevated structures and other components of the high-speed rail system is currently underway. Segment installation is 86% complete, while Balance Beam construction has reached 33% and Switch Beam construction 68%.
Saraburi High-Speed Rail Station, located in Takud Subdistrict, Mueang Saraburi District, Saraburi Province, is an elevated station designed across four levels. Level 1 will serve the entrance and long-distance train platforms, Level 2 will house ticketing facilities for high-speed and long-distance trains, Level 3 will provide passenger waiting areas, and Level 4 will accommodate high-speed train platforms.
The station will feature two platforms, each 450 meters long, and four railway tracks.
Construction of Saraburi Station is currently 47.22% complete according to the overall project schedule, while actual cumulative progress stands at 29.30%, leaving the station 17.92 percentage points behind schedule.
The SRT said it will continue to monitor and accelerate construction while ensuring that all work complies with relevant standards and regulations. The goal is to ensure that Saraburi Station is ready to support future high-speed rail services.
Tunnel Construction Slightly Ahead of Schedule
Meanwhile, Contract 3-2, covering tunnel construction in the Muak Lek and Lam Ta Khong areas, is progressing ahead of schedule.
Planned progress for the contract currently stands at 99.77%, while actual progress has reached 99.99%, putting construction 0.22 percentage points ahead of schedule.
Progress across the project's major tunnels includes 87.25% completion for Hin Lap Tunnel, 95.53% for Khlong Phai Tunnel, 95.56% for Muak Lek Tunnel, and 85.22% for Pha Sadet Tunnel.
The SRT said it will continue to closely monitor and accelerate Phase 1 of the Thai-Chinese High-Speed Rail Project while working with relevant agencies to resolve construction problems and obstacles as quickly as possible.
The agency also emphasized the importance of maintaining construction quality and safety standards throughout the project to ensure efficient implementation and completion in line with its objectives.
The Bangkok–Nakhon Ratchasima section is a key component of Thailand's transportation infrastructure development. Once operational, the high-speed railway is expected to improve passenger and freight transportation between Bangkok and the Northeast, strengthen connectivity between regions, and contribute to the modernization of Thailand's rail network.
The project is also expected to provide an important link to future regional rail networks, strengthening Thailand's role as a transportation hub within Southeast Asia.
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