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SRT studies new Suphan-Ban Phachi railway line proposal

SRT studies new Suphan-Ban Phachi railway line proposal

Prachachat•General•17d ago

Reader Briefing

The State Railway of Thailand is investigating a new cross-provincial rail link intended to bypass Bangkok and enhance regional connectivity.

  • •The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) is studying a new rail line connecting Suphan Buri province to Ban Phachi Junction.
  • •The project aims to improve transportation efficiency and connectivity between Southern, Central, Northeastern, and Northern regions, bypassing Bangkok.
  • •A public hearing was held on May 7, 2026, for the environmental impact assessment (EIA) of the 'Suphan Buri-Nakhon Luang-Ban Phachi Junction' line.
  • •The project is part of the 'National Rail System Strategy' and is slated for a budget proposal to the Cabinet by 2028.

Overview

  • •On May 7, 2026, the State Railway of Thailand held a public hearing for the 'Suphan Buri-Nakhon Luang-Ban Phachi Junction' railway project's environmental impact assessment.
  • •The 'Suphan Buri-Nakhon Luang-Ban Phachi Junction' railway line is part of the 'National Rail System Strategy' of the government.
  • •The project is categorized under the urgent plan (2023-2027), indicating a focus on immediate development.
  • •The new railway line is proposed in order to connect the existing Suphan Buri line with the northern and northeastern main lines, creating a bypass for Bangkok.
  • •The State Railway of Thailand is conducting surveys, designing details, and preparing the EIA for the new rail line.
  • •The State Railway of Thailand expects to propose the project to the Cabinet for budget approval by 2028.
  • •The railway line is expected to enhance transportation and logistics for agricultural products from Suphan Buri, Ang Thong, and Ayutthaya provinces.
  • •The new line will serve as a bypass, avoiding congestion in Bangkok and facilitating smoother freight transport between western and southern regions, and between central, northeastern, and northern regions.

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Source: Prachachat (Original)

Key Quotes

Attaphol Kao Prasert
"This public hearing is to present the draft project proposal, project details, study scope, and environmental impact assessment guidelines, as well as potential direct and indirect impacts."
การประชุมรับฟังความคิดเห็นของประชาชนในครั้งนี้ เป็นการนำเสนอ ร่างข้อเสนอโครงการ รายละเอียดโครงการ ขอบเขตการศึกษา และแนวทางการประเมินผลกระทบด้านสิ่งแวดล้อม ตลอดจนผลกระทบที่อาจเกิดขึ้นทั้งทางตรงและทางอ้อม

Key Entities

Organization

State Railway of Thailand(รฟท.)ℹ️
The organization responsible for studying and proposing the new railway line project.
Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning(สำนักงานนโยบายและแผนทรัพยากรธรรมชาติและสิ่งแวดล้อม)
The agency that the EIA report will be submitted to for consideration.
Expert Committee for Consideration of Environmental Impact Assessment Reports(คณะกรรมการผู้ชำนาญการพิจารณารายงานการประเมินผลกระทบสิ่งแวดล้อม)
The committee responsible for reviewing the EIA report for the railway project.
Cabinet(ครม.)
The governmental body that will review and approve the budget for the railway project.

Place

Suphan Buri-Nakhon Luang-Ban Phachi Junction(สุพรรณบุรี-นครหลวง-ชุมทางบ้านภาชี)
The key locations defining the proposed new railway line.
Suphan Buri(สุพรรณบุรี)ℹ️
A province central to the proposed railway line, which will benefit from improved freight transport.
Ang Thong(อ่างทอง)ℹ️
A province that will benefit from the improved transportation infrastructure and access to markets provided by the new rail line.
Ayutthaya(พระนครศรีอยุธยา)ℹ️
A province that will benefit from the new rail line, enhancing its role in regional logistics and economic development.
Bang Sue Grand Station(สถานีกลางบางชื่อ)
The major Bangkok railway station that the new line aims to bypass to improve regional transit efficiency.

Person

Attaphol Kao Prasert(นายอรรถพล เก่าประเสริฐ)
Senior Engineer for Special Projects and Construction at the State Railway of Thailand who provided details about the project.

Policy

National Rail System Strategy(ยุทธศาสตร์ระบบรางระดับประเทศ)
The national policy framework under which the new railway line is being developed.
Urgent Plan (2023-2027)(แผนงานระยะเร่งด่วน (2023-2027))
The specific timeframe classifying the railway project as a high-priority development.
Central-Western Special Economic Corridor (CWEC)(ระเบียงเศรษฐกิจพิเศษภาคกลาง-ตะวันตก (CWEC))
The economic development zone with which the new railway line aims to enhance economic opportunities.