Bangkok: "Monporn" joins the seminar "Unlocking Thailand's Future, Fighting the Global Crisis", presenting the transportation vision "20-baht electric train - Developing a land bridge - Increasing the efficiency of the rail system" to unlock all limitations for Thailand's future.
According to Thai News Agency, Mrs. Manoporn Charoensri, Deputy Minister of Transport, emphasized the importance of enhancing Thailand's transportation infrastructure to boost the economy and improve residents' quality of life. By opening avenues for both domestic and international investors to engage in economic development, the Ministry aims to heighten competitiveness, create employment, and ensure swift, safe, and eco-friendly access to public services.
Ms. Manoporn elaborated on the Ministry's initiative to introduce a 20-baht flat-rate electric train fare aimed at alleviating travel expenses for commuters. Initial implementation on the Purple Line and Red Line routes has already led to a 30% rise in passenger numbers, significantly aiding urban workers. The second phase will extend this fare policy to all electric train lines in Bangkok, spanning a distance of 276 kilometers, with the Cabinet's approval already secured for July 8, 2025.
The fare scheme, capped at 20 baht, will cater exclusively to registered Thai citizens using the "Tang Rat" application and EMV or Rabbit cards. Non-registered users will continue to pay regular fares. Legislative measures, including the Joint Ticket Management Act and others pivotal for execution, are anticipated to receive the House of Representatives' nod by August.
Mrs. Manoporn also highlighted the ongoing Land Bridge project, which involves constructing deep-sea ports on both the Gulf of Thailand and Andaman coasts in Chumphon and Ranong provinces. This will be linked via dual-track railways and motorways over a 90-kilometer stretch, positioning Thailand as a regional maritime hub. The project promises to cut transport time between the Pacific and Indian Oceans by 4-5 days and reduce costs by up to 20% compared to the traditional Strait of Malacca route.
The project's success hinges on the formation of the Southern Economic Corridor (SEC), encompassing Chumphon, Ranong, Surat Thani, and Nakhon Si Thammarat. The government plans to enact special laws like the SEC Act to lure investments, potentially generating over 280,000 jobs as forecasted by the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning.
In the realm of rail system enhancements, Mrs. Manoporn detailed the Ministry's strategy to augment rail efficiency through double-track railway projects. The first phase has seen five out of seven routes operational, with further phases involving additional routes awaiting Cabinet approval.
Moreover, two new railway projects-Den Chai to Chiang Rai to Chiang Khong and Ban Phai to Mukdahan to Nakhon Phanom-are in the pipeline. The Bangkok to Nakhon Ratchasima high-speed rail is set for completion by 2028, with an extension to Nong Khai approved for February 2025. The high-speed rail connecting three airports is in pre-construction contract stages, targeting completion by 2030.
Mrs. Manoporn's participation in the seminar 'Unlocking Thailand's Future, Fighting the Global Crisis' at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center in Bangkok highlighted the collaborative efforts between public and private sectors to chart the country's developmental trajectory.