"Siriphong" explained to Parliament that the Cabinet is preparing to approve an 8.3 billion baht budget increase for Contract 2 of the dual-track railway project, upgrading the design to an elevated track following residents' requests.Tags: [budget increase, dual-track railway, infrastructure, Nakhon Ratchasima, elevated railway]
On 27 August 2026, Mr. Siriphong Angkasakulkit, Deputy Minister of Transport, explained to the House of Representatives the progress of the approval process for the joint infrastructure construction design and timeline for Contract 2 of the dual-track railway and the high-speed rail projects in Mueang District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province.Tags: [Deputy Minister, Parliament, dual-track railway, high-speed rail, Nakhon Ratchasima]
Siriphong revealed that the dual-track railway construction from Map Kabao to Thanon Chira Junction is divided into four contracts. Contract 1, covering Map Kabao to New Muak Lek and Pang Asok to Khlong Khanan Chit sections, is already in service. The New Muak Lek to Pang Asok section has been handed over and construction will start in September 2026, expected to finish by October 2027. Contract 3, involving railway tunnels, is completed, and Contract 4 for the signaling system is 64% complete.Tags: [construction progress, contracts, dual-track railway, Nakhon Ratchasima]
For Contract 2, covering Khlong Khanan Chit to Thanon Chira Junction, the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has revised the design to an elevated track in response to local residents' demands. The National Economic and Social Development Council and the Budget Bureau have approved submitting this to the Cabinet for approval of an additional 8.304 billion baht, raising Contract 2’s budget to 17.608 billion baht. The total project budget now stands at 38.068 billion baht. Once approved by the Ministry of Finance and Cabinet, the Terms of Reference are expected to be prepared between January and March 2027, with contract signing from April to September 2027. Construction is slated to start in October 2027, aiming for completion and service launch by 2031.Tags: [budget increase, project approval, elevated railway, contract timeline, SRT]
The Deputy Minister of Transport added that for managing construction areas between the dual-track and phase 1 high-speed rail projects in Mueang District, Nakhon Ratchasima, SRT has been assigned to integrate plans to avoid overlapping work, clearly define boundaries and handover areas, and prioritize completing shared infrastructure and utilities first.Tags: [construction management, project integration, infrastructure planning, Nakhon Ratchasima]
Additionally, strict measures to mitigate traffic and environmental impacts have been emphasized. Contractors must establish detours, maintain adequate traffic lanes, avoid moving heavy machinery during peak hours, and restore temporary traffic areas by adjusting concrete barriers where unnecessary. They must also comply with Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) measures to effectively reduce dust and noise pollution. Complaint channels have been set up to promptly resolve local residents' issues.Tags: [traffic management, environmental measures, contractor obligations, community complaints]