Development of Intercity Rail Transport system in Thailand

抄録

This paper describes development of Thailand intercity rail transport system. Overview of the rail transport system is described in terms of transport demand, current situation of the system. Important issues in rail development plans of State Railway of Thailand are highlighted. The paper discusses issues and challenges facing the rail development which include high speed rail issue, the HSR project is not fully supported by everyone, many think the project is too expensive, Thais lack discipline required to use HSR, instead, many say existing tracks should be improved to support a speed of 120 kph. OD survey between Bangkok and four provinces show intercity bus and private car dominate short and medium distance and air transport the long distance. Rail is not popular for travel due to problems and limitations: time delay, rail accidents, lack of signaling equipment at junctions, insufficient number of locomotives, and low service quality.