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High-Speed Rail Linking Three Airports
The high-speed rail project connecting three airportsis a project that uses the original structure and route of the Airport Rail Link system that is currently in service. It will construct a 1.435-meter-gauge railway (standard gauge), extending two sections from Phaya Thai Station to Don Mueang Airport, and from Lat Krabang Station to U-Tapao Airport. The rail line will operate mainly within the existing railway corridor of the State Railway of Thailand (SRT), providing seamless connectivity between the airports.
Project Background and Significance
- Cabinet approval on 27 March 2018 for the High-Speed Rail Linking Three Airports Project under a PPP Net Cost Model
- Project serves as a key infrastructure component for EEC development
- Makkasan area development as a central hub connecting Bangkok and the EEC, aligned with the TOD principle
- Promotion of public transportation use to reduce pollution and traffic accidents
- Connection between U-Tapao Airport and Bangkok, positioning U-Tapao as an aviation hub
- Concession period of 50 years (5 years for construction and 45 years for operation and maintenance)
- Discount rate of 2.375% (Fixed Deposit Rate + 1)
Scope of the Project
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) and Asia Era One, the private partner, have signed the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) agreement to develop the High-Speed Rail Linking Three Airports Project. In addition, the Eastern Economic Corridor Office of Thailand (EECO) has also signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with SRT to support project implementation under the PPP framework.
Rail infrastructure projects
– High-Speed Rail (HSR) (new project)
– Airport Rail Link (ARL) (upgrade of existing system)
– Airport Rail Link Extension (ARLEX) (new project)
Areas development to facilitate and enhance rail services
– Makkasan Area, 140.8 rai
– Si Racha Area, 27.45 rai
Commercial operations
– Train stations and trains
– Walkways connecting station buildings
– Station buildings and Park & Ride facilities (if applicable)
Project Details
Project owner:
State Railway of Thailand (SRT)
Project features:
The project connects Bangkok with the EEC area in no more than 60 minutes through a high-speed rail system operating at a maximum speed of 250 kilometers per hour over a total distance of 220 kilometers. It also includes the development of the 140.8-rai Makkasan area as the EEC Gateway.
High-speed rail stations:
9 stations
High-speed rail maintenance depot:
400 rai, located in Chachoengsao Province
Concession period:
50 years (includes construction period)
State investment:
159,380 million baht
Private sector investment:
111,994 million baht
Total investment:
271,824 million baht
Legend
High-speed railway linking three airports
Station on high-speed rail connecting three airports
Eastern railway line
Airport
Port
Area for Transit-Oriented Development (TOD)
Operating Model of the High-Speed Rail Linking Three Airports
The line covers a distance of 50 km, consists of 10 stations, and operates at a speed of 160 km/h.
The line covers a distance of 170 km, consists of 6 stations, and operates at a speed of 250 km/h.
The train takes 1 hour and 50 minutes, stopping at all stations.
The train takes 1 hour, stopping only at selected stations.
Duties and Responsibilities
of the State and Private Sector
and Project Duration
State (SRT)
Rail infrastructure projects
- Land expropriation
- Request to use government land
- Relocation of encroachers
- Relocation of public utilities
Area development to support train services
- Transfer of land and land-use rights
- Land use layout
Private Sector
Rail infrastructure projects
- ARL upgrades
- Civil engineering design and construction
- Procurement and installation of electromechanical systems and trains
- Train operations and maintenance
- Revenue collection from passenger fares and commercial activities
Area development to support train services
- Development of the EEC Gateway project
- Operations and maintenance
- Revenue collection from development activities
Project duration
- Construction period of 5 years
- Operations and maintenance period of 45 years
- Total period of 50 years
- Investment model of 50 years under PPP Net Cost
Ownership of Assets Required for Project Implementation
Rail infrastructure projects
- Private sector builds and transfers to government (BTO model)
- Private sector rights for 50-year development and operation (5 years development, 45 years operation)
Area development to support train services
- Private sector builds and transfers to government (BTO model)
- Private sector rights for 50-year development and operation (5 years development, 45 years operation)
Condition: Development of central transit stations linking Bangkok and the EEC
- Private sector land lease payment to SRT: 52,337 million bah
- Revenue sharing with the state
Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) near High-Speed Rail Stations
Makkasan Station
- Development area of 140.8 rai
- Development based on Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) and Smart City concepts
- Project duration of 50 years
- Minimum construction area of 850,000 square meters
- SRT ownership of all assets developed under the Build–Operate–Transfer (BOT) model
Si Racha Station
- Development area of 27.45 rai
- Development based on Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) and Smart City concepts
- Project duration of 50 years
- Minimum construction area of 20,000 square meters
Investment Budget
Total Investment:
271,824 million baht
Government
Investment:159,830 million baht
- Government co-investment: 149,650 million baht
- Debt servicing for ARL infrastructure
- Land expropriation costs
- Public utility relocation costs
Revenue:
- Lease costs for TOD areas
- ARL concession fees
Private Sector
Investment: 111,994 million baht
- Electrical and mechanical system costs
- ARL concession fees
- ARL improvement costs
- Lease costs for TOD areas
Revenue Sources:
- Passenger fare
- TOD development
- Commercial use of station premises
Project Status and Progress
Overview of Government Sector Project Progress
1. Suvarnabhumi–U-Tapao Section handover completed 15 October 2021
- Land expropriation totaling 922 rai
- Relocation of 653 public utilities, including 533 prior to handover and 120 during construction (not required for handover)
- Relocation of encroaching structures 302 units
- Terminations of 6 lease contracts
- Requests for use of government agency land from 7 agencies
2. Handover of TOD areas at Makkasan and Si Racha completed 15 October 2021
- Termination of lease agreements
- Resolution of replacement areas for public irrigation ditches identified after the signing
3. Handover of Phaya Thai–Don Mueang Section completed November 2021
- Land expropriation totaling 3 rai
- Relocation of 67 public utilities, including 41 prior to handover and 26 during construction (not required for handover)
- Relocation of encroaching structures 267 units
- Terminations of 3 lease contracts
- Requests for use of government agency land from 3 agencies (MEA, MWA, BMA) coordinated with tunnel projects
4. Handover of existing Airport Rail Link (ARL) completed 24 October 2021
- Recorded transfer of assets used for the Airport Rail Link (ARL)
PAS, CASS, DTS, ATS, AFC, and other systems, and associated
building engineering works
totaling 135 km
totaling 56 km
covering 193 rai
Phan Thong covering
244 rai
Bang Lamung covering
94 rai
Project Status and Implementation Plan
PPP investment agreement signed on 24 October 2019
SRT handed over Suvarnabhumi–
U-Tapao Section on 24 October 2021
SRT handed over Phaya Thai–Don Mueang Section in October 2023
Notice to Proceed
(NTP)
scheduled for issuance in 2026
Full high-speed rail service expected to commence operations in
2031
land expropriation,
and public utility relocation conducted
(October 2025):
addressing financial impacts
of the COVID-19 pandemic
of the ARL (Phaya Thai–Suvarnabhumi Section)
