The Thai State Railway (SRT) is changing course and intends to move its locomotive production and maintenance facilities 200 kilometers nearer to Bangkok. SRT’s decision to relocate is motivated by the upcoming transformation of their current location in Makkasan into a vibrant, mixed-use area that will house a public park, an SRT historical exhibit, and a city station that will facilitate the high-speed rail services connecting Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi, and U-Tapao airports.
In order to conceptualize and organize the SRT relocation, the SRT already paid the joint venture KUSIP 210 million baht in June 2021. The joint venture includes Utility Design Consultant, See Consult Engineering, Infra Group, and Pro Concept Engineering, with King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang serving as its leadership. The assembly has been given 600 days to complete the project.
The KUSIP venture has narrowed down its list of probable sites for the transfer to two, according to Nirut Maneephan, the head of SRT. The first choice is a 454-rai parcel of land in Chon Buri’s Sattahip district’s Khao Chi Chan Junction station. The second, however, is a smaller location, measuring 240 rai, and is situated at Suphan Buri station in Muang district.
The Suphan Buri location only needs 8.1 billion baht for the same development while the Chon Buri location needs 8.2 billion baht. However, neither place has received approval from the SRT board.In response to the board’s worries, Nirut said that they need thorough information, including local perspectives on the location of the center, the estimated cost of relocating SRT employees, and any prospective business opportunities at the site.
Regarding the final item, the board stated its willingness to use the new facility as a repair depot as well. The board also emphasized their preference for sites that are at least 200 rai in size and located within 200 kilometers of the capital. Nirut mentioned taking into account the SRT land at Chong Kae Station in Takhli district’s Nakhon Sawan and Lam Narai Station in Chai Badan district’s Lop Buri in order to broaden the range of options.
