Deputy Transport Minister Surapong Piyachote is seeking approval from Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra of the State Railway of Thailand’s (SRT) intent to sign one of the last two construction contracts in the first phase of the long-delayed Thai-Chinese high-speed train project.
Contract 4-5 for the construction of a 13.3-kilometre section of the first phase project has already been awarded to Boonchai Panich Co via bidding, according to the minister.
However, he said the contract signing has been held back due to an issue regarding the site of its Ayutthaya Station, located 1.5km from the Ayutthaya Historical Park. Even though this section’s planned route will not cut through or be adjacent to the Unesco World Heritage site, its proximity has sparked public concern.
According to Mr Surapong, it prompted the SRT to seek consultations with Unesco and the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning (Onep) to conduct a Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) on the construction plan. The assessment has been completed, and an HIA report has been submitted to Unesco for consideration.
Mr Surapong said the SRT has also agreed to reduce the height of the elevated high-speed train track in this section from 19 metres to 17m.
Source: Bangkok Post
