Thailand increases budget for Bangkok-Nong Khai high-speed line

Thailand has agreed to increase the budget for a high-speed train project that will link the capital Bangkok to the northern province of Nong Khai.
The budget was increased by 12 billion THB (nearly 380 million dollars) for the first phase of the project, following the approval of the Thai cabinet.
The Thai government has pledged to provide the additional amount under “Contract 2.3,” Bangkok Post reported, citing government spokeswoman Traisuree Taisaranakul.
It will be used to acquire trains, build railways and maintain infrastructure, among other things.
Taisaranakul was quoted by the publication as saying, “The additional budget will help modernize the system and service and reduce maintenance costs in the long run. “
About THB 2.5 billion will be invested to purchase the latest generation of Fuxing Hao trains, which operate in China.
The government will invest THB 2 billion to upgrade the railway to a ballast-free track with greater endurance and to reduce maintenance requirements.
About THB 7 billion will be used for infrastructure maintenance, construction of multiple electronic units (EMU) and other works.
The high-speed rail line is developed by Chinese entrepreneurs. The first phase of the project consists of constructing a 253 km section from Bangkok to Nakhon Ratchasima.
Construction on the entire project began in 2018 and is expected to be completed in 2023.
Last month the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) said that the high-speed train project, which will link three airports in the country, will be delayed.
The delay was attributed to budgetary constraints.