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Could Gulf of Thailand to Andaman train become a reality?


webfact

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Could Gulf of Thailand to Andaman train become a reality?

 

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Picture: Daily News

 

BANGKOK: -- Thailand is proposing to build a train connection that would join the Gulf of Thailand with the Andaman Sea.

 

The 125 kilometer line would run from Chumporn in the East to Ranong in the West.

 

Transport authorities have contacted three consultancy firms to put together a feasibility study to investigate whether the project is worthwhile.

 

Findings are expected to be reported by February said Wilairat Sirisophonsin.

 

Thirty million baht is being spent on the study that involves companies Asian Engineering Consultants, Infraplus Consulting and Enrich Consultants.

 

The idea is part of a 20 year master plan to improve transport infrastructure in Thailand.

 

The possibility of freight movement between the two seas could be a major boon for the economy of Thailand, reported Daily News.

 

Plans for a canal linking the Gulf and Andaman - known previously as the Kra Isthmus project - has been mooted many times over the last several decades but has never got off the ground.

 

A train may prove to be a more realistic plan.

 

Source: Daily News

 
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-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2017-06-28
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On 6/28/2017 at 8:05 AM, webfact said:

investigate whether the project is worthwhile

If the Chinese either invest in it or loan funds, no investigation will be necessary.

Frankly, Prayut should give priority to internal rail projects such as the connection of the Gulf of Thailand to the Andaman Sea than international projects such as the Chinese dual rail project.

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First basic question; metre gauge to tie into the Thai rail system allowing much faster export of Thai produce to EU, or standard gauge for eventual hookup to hi-speed? Or dual-gauge track for both?

 

Second basic question; does Ranong have port facilities to handle the volume required? If not, is there the potential to increase to that level?

 

Third basic question; what happened to the Myanmar link that was aimed at the same result?

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7 minutes ago, halloween said:

First basic question; metre gauge to tie into the Thai rail system allowing much faster export of Thai produce to EU, or standard gauge for eventual hookup to hi-speed? Or dual-gauge track for both?

 

Second basic question; does Ranong have port facilities to handle the volume required? If not, is there the potential to increase to that level?

 

Third basic question; what happened to the Myanmar link that was aimed at the same result?

No need for any questions, the Chinese will take care of the details and the Generals will collect the commissions.

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Is the Dawei Special Economic Zone ready for the trains? Last heard they had hard time finding investors. There were lots of criticisms from the oppositions when Samak signed the MOU to develop the special zone. Looks like the junta is now buying in to its potential. 

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1 hour ago, Eric Loh said:

Is the Dawei Special Economic Zone ready for the trains? Last heard they had hard time finding investors. There were lots of criticisms from the oppositions when Samak signed the MOU to develop the special zone. Looks like the junta is now buying in to its potential. 

You've never been to Ranong? It is in Thailand, not Myanmar. Between it and the lower edge of the Dawei zone there is a substantial body of water, inconvenient for trains.

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10 minutes ago, halloween said:

You've never been to Ranong? It is in Thailand, not Myanmar. Between it and the lower edge of the Dawei zone there is a substantial body of water, inconvenient for trains.

So why can they not just use the Dawei-LeamChabang route. What is this new route going to do? Not to mention the rather large hills and national parks which these routes would seemingly have to navigate. Also no deep sea ports in either location, incidentally locations 500 km from the nearest industrial hubs which are required for deep sea ports.

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2 minutes ago, smutcakes said:

So why can they not just use the Dawei-LeamChabang route. What is this new route going to do? Not to mention the rather large hills and national parks which these routes would seemingly have to navigate. Also no deep sea ports in either location, incidentally locations 500 km from the nearest industrial hubs which are required for deep sea ports.

I asked the same questions in post #5. The river there has a long and wide (6km) estuary suitable for large ships.

" The Port Authority of Thailand operates the Port of Ranong, which is Thailand's principal Indian Ocean port. " https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ranong

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