The Department of Rail Transport is preparing to build a new railway line from Suphanburi to Ban Phachi, covering 73.8 kilometers, connecting logistics from the southern to eastern regions without passing through Bangkok. The project will also address railway crossing safety to reduce accidents.
Mr. Pipat Ratchakitprakarn, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, visited to inspect and monitor the progress of transport infrastructure development projects in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Suphanburi, and nearby provinces. He was accompanied by Mr. Pichet Kunathammarak, Director-General of the Department of Rail Transport, along with officials from the department, executives from affiliated agencies under the Ministry of Transport, and related agencies. They received briefings on the overall transport network, progress of major projects, and accident risk management at the Suphanburi Highway District 1 office to enhance public transportation and support regional economic development.
Mr. Pichet Kunathammarak, Director-General of the Department of Rail Transport, said the key highlight project in the central region is the construction of a new railway line from Suphanburi through Nakhon Luang to Ban Phachi junction, totaling 73.8 kilometers.
This railway network is a crucial missing link that will complete the rail system by connecting the southern railway line with the northern and northeastern lines, and also linking to the eastern line leading directly to Laem Chabang Port. This allows freight transport without detouring through Bangkok.
The project details include constructing five railway stations and two freight yards. According to the State Railway of Thailand (SRT), the project is currently in the detailed design and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) preparation phase, expected to be completed by January 2027.
Besides developing the new route, the Ministry of Transport is also prioritizing safety on the existing network. The Deputy Prime Minister's team inspected a railway crossing on Highway 3260 in Bang Pla Ma district, Suphanburi, near the canal route leading to Wat Pa Lelai.
Mr. Pichet explained that the SRT has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Suphanburi Highway District and is preparing to tender for installing automatic barriers, signal lights, traffic signs, and upgrading the crossing with high-strength precast concrete slabs. The goal is to have these operational before the Songkran festival in 2027 to reduce accident risks for people crossing at this point.
Mr. Pichet said the Department of Rail Transport emphasizes developing the rail system alongside transport infrastructure in all dimensions to create a fully connected transportation and freight network (Seamless Network). In particular, the Suphanburi–Nakhon Luang–Ban Phachi railway line will help reduce the country's logistics costs. Suphanburi and Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya are strategic areas with high potential. Developing the rail system in line with national transport infrastructure will support industrial production bases, add value to agricultural industries, improve freight transport efficiency within and between provinces, and enhance the completeness of the transport network, forming a vital foundation for long-term economic growth.
"The Department of Rail Transport is ready to integrate operations with all relevant agencies to push forward transport infrastructure development according to government and Ministry of Transport policies. The aim is to elevate the rail system as the country's primary transport mode, improve logistics efficiency, enhance the quality of life for citizens, and strengthen the nation's competitiveness sustainably," Mr. Pichet concluded.
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