Thailand launches dual track railway line to ease congestion
Thailand's State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has officially launched operations on its new double-track railway line from Nakhon Pathom in Central Thailand to the Southern Thai Province of Chumphon.
The move is geared towards improving transportation in the country’s southern region.
Ekarat Sri-arayanpong, the head of the SRT governor’s office, announced that the new 421-kilometre route will enhance logistical operations and reduce travel times on the southern line by up to 90 minutes.
The double-track system eliminates the need for trains to wait for others to pass and increases safety on the line.
The railway runs from Nakhon Pathom through towns like Ratchaburi, Phetchaburi, and Prachuap Khiri Khan before ending in Chumphon, Vietnam Plus reports.
While most of the track is at ground level, sections in urban areas are raised to ease traffic congestion.
Two major landmarks along the route include a bridge over the Mae Klong River in Ratchaburi, which the government plans to develop as a tourist attraction, and the new Hua Hin Railway Station, which retains the architectural style of the old station.
The SRT has indicated plans to expand its dual-track network further, with additional routes planned in the North, Northeast, and South. By 2029, Thailand expects to have 2,370 kilometres of dual-track railways, significantly improving the country’s logistics and appeal to tourists.
