FutureLines 2 N & NE:Denchai-ChiangRai

[von Hirschhorn]

(quote)
von H., I agree with the Chiang Mai to Mae Hong Song topography

A scenic railway yeah, but via which route? More or less following the road (loop) via Hod is almost 400 km, via Pai less but most of it will be tunnelled. Goodbye nice view!
No, we must be realistic; railways are not build for freaks only. Maybe hundred and more years ago the enterprise of building railways was less bleak, lines were popping up everywhere and to soon closed again in the destroying wake caused by the automobile.
But there is light on the end of the tunnel. First the global warming, second crude oil will be scarce in the near future, so politicians should make up their mind and lay a track here and there. Only no oil is no locomotive at least diesel and in a more broad aspect even electricity – one need fuel to generate – so back to coal, the black gold, and far from exhausted. With a bit thinking we are able to build an efficient high tech steam engine. (already done by the Swiss company SLM from Winterthur)
As said before to many plans passes my eyes without any result or better; pictures of work in progress. With a bit of luck I can see the Den Cha – Chiang Rai line and hopefull some small others. The rest is a joy only to discuss now and then.

[Wisarut]

No. Station km. Distance between station
0 Denchai 534.3 0
1 Soong Men 547.5 13.2
2 Phrae 555.8 8.3
3 Nong Muang Khai 580.2 14.4
4 Ban Nong Sian 593.8 13.6
5 Song 610.5 16.7
6 Ban Thung 622.5 12.0
7 Ngao 639.2 16.7
8 Ban Phrao 659.0 19.8
9 Ban Moh Kaeng Tong 670.8 10.8 [Naresuan U. - Phayo Campus]
10 Ban Thok Wark 680.1 9.3 [Should be Dok Kham Tai station]
11 Phayao 688.0 8.0
12 Ban Rong 711.0 23.0 [Should be Phu Kam Yao station]
13 Pa Daed 731.0 20.0
14 Ban Thin Charoen 744.5 13.5
15 Ban Pong Kluea 750.0 5.5
16 Chiang Rai 780.0 30.0

Note: Shoudl have an itnermediate staiton between cvhaing rai and Ban Pong Kluea because the distance between this station is quite too long

Ref: Thesis abotu Chiang Rai City Development for the New Railway to Chiang Rai, BE 2545 (2002)

[Wisarut]

Wait unit I got the map of Denchai - Chaing Rai back so I'll show you the difference between 1969 version and 2002 version :D

[Yappofloyd]

I have the update since last week but it is a Powerpoint presentation so I cannot work out how to upload it as seperate images to a linkable site (eg. skyscraper). Any ideas...?

[jpatokal]

I have the update since last week but it is a Powerpoint presentation so I cannot work out how to upload it as seperate images to a linkable site (eg. skyscraper). Any ideas...?
I think Powerpoint has an option to save as Web pages (HTML), which basically dumps each page as a GIF/JPG.

[GWR]

http://www.angkor.com/2bangkok/2bangkok/forum/showpost.php?p=3922&postcount=1

[Wisarut]

During the early days of Siamese Railway, there was a survey for the rotue from BKk to Chiang Rai and Chiang Saen via Chiangmai ... but the route was quite long ...

Later on, they have proposed fro the alternative to Chiang Rai by comign up with the branch line form Denchai to Chaing Rai via Pha Yao .... which has been adopted as the main route in 1964 ....

However that Denchai - Chaing Rail route has not been realized yet .... and SRT just got the Royal decree for the land exappropriation in th year of 2001.

Furthermore, Our Great Leader (Premier Thaksin) is now secretly applying his Powerful Pressur (evemn more than Dr. M) to choke SRT to come up with the route from Chiang Mai Mai to Chiang Rai and Chaing Saen via Sankamphaeng (Premier Thaksin's birthplace) ... Premier Thaksin also askign for the 2nd Chaingmai International Airprot at San kamphaeng as well!

Now, SRT is facing a BIG Dilemma. If SRT has to follow Our Leader's Pressure, SRT will have to make antoerh study on Chaing Mai - chaing Rai route and the place for interchanign the system ... or the project will be CANCELLED .... ... by bribing those Mobs of thsoe who have theri land exapproprioated to do this down and dirty job.

[von Hirschhorn]

From Wisarut:
‘Our Great Leader’ is now secretly applying his Powerful Pressure (even more than) to choke the SRT to come up with a route from Chiang Mai Mai to Chiang Rai and Chaing Saen via Sankamphaeng (his birthplace) ... He also asking for the 2nd Chiang Mai International Airport at San kamphaeng as well!

First of all in my opinion the first airport doesn’t reached his full capacity yet unless the leader himself stops talking and asking and really transfer flights from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, inbound intercontinental flights for example. But there is a problem, in a centralised country like Thailand other cities beside the main can develop as much as they want and even do so, an equal partner they never become. Chiang Mai a world city, even in my darkest dreams this scenario didn’t appear. For tourist only but they don’t come in great numbers to justify the enterprise.
The rail route on the other hand is a less bad idea, only San Kamphaeng Central Station is over asked. Ever been there?
From a technical point of view: the Den Chai route is far easier to implement. The 190-km between Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai are filled with rough terrain.
From a rail freak point of view: lovely to see the now almost defunct double track at the beginning from platform 1 crosses the very busy main road and go beyond although a lot of buildings have to be demolished to give a train right of way.
‘Great Leader’ and wisdom, unfortunate not always it comes together.

[Wisarut]

Pheng Insisting that Khonkaen - Kalasin - Mukdaharn is Beyter than BuaYai Roy Ed - Mukdaharn
Bangkok Biznews - Nov 3, 2005

Minister Pheng has told the people durign serminar "Future Thai Economic & Commerces in Indochina region " set up by Nation Multimedia Group at Rajabhat Udorn Thani Unviersity on Nov 2, 2005 that the goverment PREFERS Khonkaen - Kalasin - Mukdaharn route over Bua Yai - Roy Ed - Mukdaharn proposed by SRT since Bua Yai route is NOT economic worthy [for those vested interests who have purchased the land from Khon Kaen to Mukdaharn].

Pheng even Lambasts thsoe government form 1969 to 1994 who originally proposed Bua Yai route along with the who prefer truck routes [which are not passing into theri land] over the railway route [that pass their land].

Pheng also insisted that this Khonkaen - Mukdaharn line would start the construction to support East- West Economic Corridor after the East -West Corridor highway projects are DONE in 2006.

New Container yardat Namphong along with Khon kaen ICD would boost more usage of Khonkaen - Kalasin - Mukdaharn line.

Khon kaen - Kalasin - Mukdaharn line will go though the followign districts

1) Muang District of Khon Kaen
2) Chiang yuen district of Mahasarakham
3) Yang Talad district of Kalasin (major district of Kalasin)
4) Phon Thong district of Kalasin
5) Nikhom Kham Soy district of Mukdaharn
6) Kham Cha Ee District of Mukdaharn
7) Muang district of Mukdaharn

This Khonkaen to Mukdaharn lien woldbe extended to Nakhon pathom and go across Mekhong at Tha Khaek since the bridge across Mekhong at Mukdaharn has not been designed for railway-truck in the same way as the Friendship Bridge at Nong Khai

SRT needs to speed up major rehab of the track alogn with double trackingand private
participation on the construction of stations and Loco purchasing [to please vested interst] while SRT would work on the scedule allocation for cargo lines.

Note. The route from Khonkaen to Mukdaharn via Kalasin would require Double tracking along with the Modern Signalsystem instllation to replacethe good old Semaphore from Bua Yai to Khonkaen along with the douhbel tracking from kaeng Khoi to Bua Yai via Lum Narai (Pasak Jorasit Dam)

[Wisarut]

SRT Reviewing Bua Yai - Nakhon Phanom Project
Adding Muang District of Mahasarakham into Bua Yai - Mukdaharn - Nakhon Phanom list To pick up 50000 Students

Caretaker Senator Srimuang Charoensiri (Mahasarakham) has tod the press that even though the Consultant has suggested that

1) Khon Kaen - Kalasin - Mukdaharn - Nakhon Phanom is NOT so viable as the good old Buayai - Roy Ed - Mukdaharn - Nakhon Phanom
becasue the good old route is the shorter and mroe direct route to Mukdaharn than Khon kaen route than the route claimed by
Those vested intetests in Khon kaen and land speculators (like Phinit Jarusobut). Even worse, this Khon Kaen - Kalasin - Mukdaharn - Nakhon Phanom
is in parallel with existing Highway, NOT a viable route due to Fierce competition ....

Bua Yai - Khon Kaen - Kalasin - Mukdaharn - Nakhon Phanom would be longer than good old Buayai - Roy Ed - Mukdaharn - Nakhon Phanom
after adding hte double track into account and the route would pass areas with LESS people. Furthermore, Buayai - Roy Ed - Mukdaharn - Nakhon Phanom
is in between Nong khai linr and Ubon line

Bua Yai - Roy Ed - Mukdaharn would pass the followign district

1) Bua Yai District of Nakhon Ratchasima
2) Nong Songhong District of Khon Kaen
3) Na Chuek district of Mahasarakham
4) Wapee Prathum district of Mahasarakham
5) Muang District of Roy Ed
6) Phon Thong District of Roy Ed
7) Nong Phok district of Roy Ed
8) Nikhom Khamsoy district of Mukdaharn
9) Muang district of Mukdaharn (the 3rd Gateway to Indochina after Nong Khai and Ubon)
10) Warn yai district of Mukdaharn
11) Tha Phanom distyrict of Nakhon Phanom
12) Renoonakhon district of Nakhon Phanom
13) muang district of Nakhon Phanom

However the magnet of Mahasarakham from those students in Mhasarakham University and Rajabhat Mahasarakham has COMPELLED SRT Board
to revise the route to go Northward from Na Chueak to Roy Ed via Muang District instead of going eastward via Wapee pathum district even though
the actual position of Mahasarakham University is in Kantharawichai district of mahasarakham -> even further north than muang District.

Nakhon ratchasima map
http://travel.sanook.com/story_picture/b/02814_001.gif
Mahasakham Map
http://travel.sanook.com/story_picture/b/02887_001.gif
Roy Ed map
http://travel.sanook.com/story_picture/b/02921_001.gif
Mukdaharn Map
http://travel.sanook.com/story_picture/b/03102_001.gif
Nakhon Phanom Map
http://travel.sanook.com/story_picture/b/02846_001.gif

[GWR]

Prime Minister Gen. Surayud Chulanont said here today that he would confer on construction of a railway line linking northern Thailand with Yunnan province via Laos during two days of talks with Chinese leaders. Also in the top agenda is a discussion about Chinese investment in Thailand.

Gen. Surayud is scheduled to leave for China tomorrow for a two-day official visit during which he will discuss with Chinese leaders about building a railway line to link China's southern Yunnan province to Ban Houei Sai in the Lao PDR, opposite Chiang Khong district in Thailand's Chiang Rai province.

Currently, a highway links the two towns, and the Thai government earlier agreed with Beijing to build a bridge across the Mekong river to facilitate travel by cars and long distance trucks, he said, adding that his proposal to construct the railway line would lead to an expansion existing transportation networks.

On investment, Gen. Surayud said more Chinese businessmen had newly invested in Thailand due to China's burgeoning economy, growing at nearly 12 per cent annually.

Link may expire:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/breakingnews.php?id=119028

[Wisarut]

Ahh ,for the case of the route from laem Chabang to Kanchanaburi, it will strated as follows:

1. Doubel tracking from Kaeng Khoi - Klong 19 - Chachongsao, and Chachongsao - Sri Racha - laem Chabang whcih SRT is goign to do so.

2. Second on the line is the new line from Ban Phachi to Suphanburi alogn with the double tracking & massive Rehab from Suphanburi to Nong Pladuk

3. Third on the line is the ropute from Kanchanaburi to Dawei ... this hasto create a new sicne the Bridge over river Kwae and the wooden trestle canmnot support 20-ton axle load for sure.

[GWR]

Interesting that they intend to build a Suphanburi line to bypass Bangkok. Do you also know anything about reports from Burma (Click link below) that minorities are being moved away from the Death Railway, on their side of the border, in order to prepare for that line's reconstruction? Or will this new line supercede that project perhaps?:
http://www.angkor.com/2bangkok/2bangkok/forum/showpost.php?p=18476&postcount=95

[waerth]

The project fits very well with the West-East Economic Corridor, Mr. Noppadon explained, adding that China is also interested in buiding a dual rail track with trains travelling at a speed of nearly 200 kilometers per hour.

Mr Noppadon clearly knows nothing about Freight transport. No freight train travel at speeds of nearly 200 km/h. Where does the Thai govt find these idiots.

Waerth

[GWR]

New Lines (with double tracking):
1. Suphanburi - Ban Phachi
2. Kanchanaburi - Bong Tee - Dawei
3. Den Chai - Chiang Rai - Chiang Khong.

Bong Ti appears to be less than 20 Kms due East of the Nam Tok Line at Sai Yok. On some maps, there is some sort of road marked between Dawei & Sai Yok, passing through a border post at Bong Ti. Dawei is some 70 - 80 kms due East of Bong Ti. As far as I know, Myanmar already has a line operating between Ye and Dawei - which was built with temporary slave labor back in the late 90s. As Wisaruth has said before, there would need to be a new Kwae Bridge near Kanchanaburi for heavy freight traffic.

The Chiang Khong line would be intended to link up with a line from china. i believe the Chinese have already started a section of that future line, in the direction of Northern Laos.

[GWR]

Watch this space! It may be a bit skinny right now, but expect some reports to flesh out this idea soon:

Samak says his Govt will start railway project to China


Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej said Sunday that his government would try to begin a 4-country railway project from Thailand to China.

The railway would link Thailand, Laos, Burma and China together, he said during his Talk Samak Style programme on NBT.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30073896

[GWR]

See also Today's previous post on this subject

Watch this space! It may be a bit skinny right now, but expect some reports to flesh out this idea soon:
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30073896

http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/7452/65614923qg6.jpg
An undated image from an Office of Transport Planning website. I don't know how old this map and these costings are, but the same document mentioned that the line across the Friendship bridge to Vientiane was already under construction:
http://www.otp.go.th/
PDF document containing this map and others of possible developments by SRT:
http://www.otp.go.th/pdf/seminar_download/OCT24/RFT.pdf

[Wisarut]

Now, the Ghost of Denchai - Chiang Rai route is waking up again ....
http://www.manager.co.th/Daily/ViewNews.aspx?NewsID=9510000077851

Furthermore, the Governor of Tak is pushign so hard for Tak - Mae Sod railway route ... with the provision to connection with Norhtern line at either Phitsanuloke of Phichit.... after get Tak - Mae Sod railway route done.
http://www.manager.co.th/Local/ViewNews.aspx?NewsID=9510000077539