Sanphet is speeding up the development of 22 rai of State Railway land in the Siriraj area into a Medical Wellness Hub linked with Siriraj Hospital. He emphasized commercial development alongside improving the quality of life for more than 318 railway employee households and aims to open bidding within this year if the study is completed, with construction expected to take about 3-4 years.
Sanphet Boonyamanee, Deputy Minister of Transport, revealed after visiting the site with executives from SRT Asset Company Limited (SRTA) to monitor development plans for State Railway of Thailand (SRT) land near Thonburi Station in the Siriraj area that the land covers 22 rai adjacent to Siriraj Hospital. Currently, it houses 318 railway employee households, totaling more than 1,000 people. The plan is to develop it into a Medical Wellness Hub to support expanding medical and health services in the future, which may include specialized disease treatment centers such as a cancer center, a comprehensive health center, health promotion facilities, and spaces dedicated to the health care of railway employees. Details can be adjusted following discussions with the Siriraj medical faculty to best meet future medical needs.
Regarding the investment model, it is currently under consideration with two to three main approaches: allowing the private sector to invest in developing the project, then leasing the area to Siriraj Hospital for management; or private sector co-investment with Siriraj in project development. This project extends the Transit Oriented Development (TOD) concept by leveraging the area's potential to connect transportation systems and medical services for maximum benefit. The project will be pushed forward as quickly as possible, with at least the process starting under the current government by the end of 2026. Construction is expected to take 3-4 years, with all 22 rai developed in the first phase.
Sanphet added that despite the current economic slowdown, he is confident that the private sector will be interested in investing because health and elderly care businesses, or Wellness and Longevity, are a significant global trend. Additionally, the location has high potential, being close to Siriraj Hospital and about 400 meters from a mass transit station, allowing convenient public transport connections. This makes it ready for development as the country's new medical and health center.
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