Sanphet reveals progress on the southern double-track railway project covering 3 routes totaling 534 km, extending to Padang Besar. Construction will begin first on 504 km. Plans to propose the project at the Cabinet's mobile meeting in Songkhla.
Mr. Sanphet Boonyamanee, Deputy Minister of Transport, disclosed progress on the second phase of the southern double-track railway project after the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) board approved the project's framework. The project covers 3 routes totaling 534 kilometers, linking the railway network from Chumphon, Surat Thani, Hat Yai down to Padang Besar at the Thai-Malaysian border. Currently, the SRT is finalizing details to submit to the Ministry of Transport within this week, before proceeding to propose the project to the Cabinet for consideration during the mobile Cabinet meeting in Songkhla Province on 1 September 2026 GMT+7.
The second phase of the southern double-track railway project includes 3 routes: Chumphon to Surat Thani spanning 168 kilometers; Surat Thani to Hat Yai junction to Songkhla spanning 321 kilometers; and Hat Yai junction to Padang Besar spanning 45 kilometers, totaling 534 kilometers.
However, in the initial phase, construction will focus on approximately 504 kilometers, consisting of Chumphon to Surat Thani at 168 kilometers; Surat Thani to Hat Yai junction at 291 kilometers; and Hat Yai junction to Padang Besar at 45 kilometers, with a total budget of about 106.798 billion baht. The Hat Yai junction to Songkhla segment of 30 kilometers will be considered for development in a later phase.
Mr. Sanphet stated that this project is a crucial rail infrastructure for the South, as it will extend the double-track railway network down to Hat Yai and connect to Padang Besar, an important gateway linking Thailand’s rail system with Malaysia. It will support public travel, tourism, cross-border trade, and international freight transport.
“Once the double-track railway network connects from the upper South down to Hat Yai and Padang Besar, it will enhance transportation capacity for both passengers and freight, reduce single-track limitations, increase transport efficiency, and more effectively link the southern economy with neighboring countries,” said Mr. Sanphet.
Mr. Sanphet added that an important aspect of the project review is adjusting the construction design to suit local conditions and real issues, especially in Hat Yai district, which was affected by flooding in November 2025 that disrupted the southern railway line.
Learning from that event, the railway design in some sections near Hat Yai has been changed from ground level to an elevated bridge structure of about 3 kilometers and an embankment of about 2 kilometers. This aims to improve flood resilience, reduce impacts on water flow, and lower the risk of damage or isolation of the southern rail network during future floods.
“This double-track railway investment is not only about increasing transport capacity but also about designing to meet long-term local conditions, especially in Hat Yai, which is the economic, commercial, tourism, and transport hub of the South. We must apply lessons from past floods to ensure the new infrastructure is resilient and minimizes the chance of recurring problems,” said Mr. Sanphet.
Regarding project details, the Chumphon to Surat Thani section spans 168 kilometers with a new budget of 36.892 billion baht and an expected construction period of about 60 months or 5 years, scheduled from July 2027 to June 2032.
The Surat Thani to Hat Yai junction to Songkhla section covers 321 kilometers with a new budget of 77.457 billion baht. Construction will start with the Surat Thani to Hat Yai junction segment of 291 kilometers, budgeted at 61.535 billion baht, taking about 72 months or 6 years, from July 2027 to June 2033.
The Hat Yai junction to Padang Besar section spans 45 kilometers with a new budget of 8.371 billion baht and an estimated construction period of about 48 months or 4 years, from July 2027 to June 2031. This segment is vital for connecting Thailand’s railway network to the border and onward to Malaysia’s rail system.
Regarding the Hat Yai junction to Songkhla segment of 30 kilometers with a budget of 15.922 billion baht, Mr. Sanphet said that postponing construction in the initial phase does not mean this route has been canceled. It will be considered later because the area has changed, with expanding communities and dense populations along the route, creating limitations in space, right-of-way, and community impact.
At the same time, other transport systems are being developed to support travel between Hat Yai and Songkhla. Thus, the entire transport system must be considered together, including public travel demand, urban development, system connectivity, and investment efficiency to ensure projects complement each other without duplication.
“Hat Yai to Songkhla has not been removed from the plan but must be reviewed according to current realities. The route passes through densely populated areas and other transport systems are under development. We must find the best solution that meets public travel needs, connects efficiently with other systems, and minimizes community impact,” Mr. Sanphet said.
Mr. Sanphet emphasized that transport development for Hat Yai and Songkhla must be viewed as a unified system, including the double-track railway, mass transit, airport connectivity, and road networks, to ensure all systems work together to support urban growth, the economy, trade, and tourism long-term.
After Cabinet approval, the SRT will proceed with drafting tender conditions (TOR). Initially, civil construction will be divided into four contracts: one for Chumphon to Surat Thani; two for Surat Thani to Hat Yai junction; and one for Hat Yai junction to Padang Besar.
Mr. Sanphet said the Ministry of Transport will monitor every step closely to push the project forward as planned, since the southern double-track railway is a key infrastructure to enhance rail capacity, reduce transport and logistics costs, provide more travel options for the public, and link the southern Thai economy to the Malaysian border and regional networks.
Read news " Government Policy " Continued