Thailand’s Ministry of Transport is expediting major infrastructure developments, with particular emphasis on the second phase of the Bangkok–Nong Khai high-speed rail project. Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit confirmed the acceleration plan on Tuesday, following a policy steering committee meeting aimed at assessing progress on the ministry’s 2025 investment programs.
As of the end of May, the ministry had spent 93 billion baht from its allocated 212.21 billion baht budget for the fiscal year, according to Suriya. He noted that 86 of 326 newly approved procurement contracts—worth a combined 1.31 billion baht out of a total of 24.18 billion—had been signed. All remaining contracts are expected to be finalized by August.
The Bangkok–Nong Khai high-speed rail is a flagship component of the country’s infrastructure agenda. Phase 1 of the project, stretching from Bangkok to Nakhon Ratchasima, has reached 43.79% completion in civil engineering work. However, progress on system installations, procurement of rolling stock, and staff training lags behind, with only 0.95% completion reported.
Preparations for Phase 2—covering the 357.12-kilometre segment from Nakhon Ratchasima to Nong Khai—are progressing. The ministry is finalizing bidding documents for eight separate contracts, including seven civil works packages and one related to rail systems. The total estimated budget for this phase is 341.35 billion baht.
In parallel, the government is moving forward with other large-scale transport projects. These include the first phase of the Phuket Expressway (Kathu to Patong), a 3.98-kilometre stretch valued at 16.76 billion baht, and a 15.36-billion-baht initiative to lease 1,520 electric buses aimed at modernizing public transport services.
The ministry is also proposing the merger of two electric rail extensions into a single procurement package. This involves the Red Line extension from Taling Chan to Salaya, with three new stations, and the Light Red Line extension from Taling Chan to Siriraj.
Final approval for these projects is pending Cabinet consideration.
