View Full Version : FutureLines2Myanmar:Tak Line
Wisarut
20-02-05, 11:51 PM
Now, the Burmese Junta has complete the Railway to Tavoy (oly for cargo and military equipment though) and the highway-railway bridge across SDalawin riveer is opened ..
We'll wait and see if SRT and Ministry of Railway could come up with agreement to make the first permannet connection between Thai and Burmese railway ... Fro Thai viewpoint, the would prefer goign from Namtok to Bong Tee Pass since it is the msot direct route to Tavoy ...
However, thsoe who live in Phuket would liek to see the railway link to Phuket become a reality and they would force thsoe merchant in Kanchanaburi to use the route to Phuket instead of lettign Burmese to profit from cargo and shipping traffic ...
Now, the Burmese Junta has complete the Railway to Tavoy (only for cargo and military equipment though) and the highway-railway bridge across Salawin riveer is opened.
Passengers can always sit on the roofs of the ammunition wagons. I guess someone might want to remind them to be careful smoking.
:confused: There was an extremely-garbled brief report in the paper edition of today's Bangkok Post. (Indeed, I'm not even sure I have remembered the route description correctly, as I had little time to read the report carefully.) I can't find this report online. Certainly there HAVE been thoughts about building a rail route in this vicinity, in the past!
The report said that a feasibility study had just been completed, and that there was some idea that three parallel lines could be built in the vicinity. Whether that means 3 lines running parallel over a wide area or a narrow corridor it is difficult to say.
Hopefully, Khun Wisaruth will set us right on this one. However, I intend to get a snipping of this rather hard-to-believe report, to show you, tomorrow!:confused:
Wisarut
25-11-07, 12:08 PM
:confused: There was an extremely-garbled brief report in the paper edition of today's Bangkok Post. (Indeed, I'm not even sure I have remembered the route description correctly, as I had little time to read the report carefully.) I can't find this report online. Certainly there HAVE been thoughts about building a rail route in this vicinity, in the past!
The report said that a feasibility study had just been completed, and that there was some idea that three parallel lines could be built in the vicinity. Whether that means 3 lines running parallel over a wide area or a narrow corridor it is difficult to say.
Hopefully, Khun Wisaruth will set us right on this one. However, I intend to get a snipping of this rather hard-to-believe report, to show you, tomorrow!:confused:
It is a habit of the Border province to keep in media limelight ... even thouhg I know that Burmese goverenemtn prefer Kanchanaburi route over the Tak - Mae Sod route ....
See also Khun Wisaruth's previous reply in this thread today:
I'll be looking at a few maps later in the day to try and figure out what this report is trying to tell us. In the meantime, it is obviously a feasibility study commissioned at province level, that is going to be passed onto SRT so they can reject it - as Khun W suggests in the previous post:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2099/2061898664_20e87a50dd_m.jpg
:confused: There was an extremely-garbled brief report in the paper edition of today's Bangkok Post. (Indeed, I'm not even sure I have remembered the route description correctly, as I had little time to read the report carefully.) I can't find this report online. Certainly there HAVE been thoughts about building a rail route in this vicinity, in the past!
The report said that a feasibility study had just been completed, and that there was some idea that three parallel lines could be built in the vicinity. Whether that means 3 lines running parallel over a wide area or a narrow corridor it is difficult to say.
Hopefully, Khun Wisaruth will set us right on this one. However, I intend to get a snipping of this rather hard-to-believe report, to show you, tomorrow!:confused:
See also Khun Wisaruth's previous reply in this thread today:
I'll be looking at a few maps later in the day to try and figure out what this report is trying to tell us. In the meantime, it is obviously a feasibility study commissioned at province level, that is going to be passed onto SRT so they can reject it - as Khun W suggests in the previous post:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2099/2061898664_20e87a50dd_m.jpg
At a rough guess, this report is trying to tell us that there are three East-West route options in the provincial feasibility study. One running adjacent to the Tak to Mae Sot highway, one running some distance to the north, and another running some distance to the South. The terrain in this area suggest the route options would be unlikely to be much more than 50 Kms North or 20 kms south of the highway.
It doesn't make sense to build a Tak to Mae Sot railway North or South of the Mae Sot to Mae Sariang Highway, as this road bears North-West from Mae Sot - and Mae Sariang is about 150 KKms North of Mae Sot in an area of probably even more difficult terrain.
Again, I'm guessing that the reporter has made a flat-out mistake, hasn't checked his/her facts or both.
Wisarut
26-11-07, 10:16 AM
At a rough guess, this report is trying to tell us that there are three East-West route options in the provincial feasibility study. One running adjacent to the Tak to Mae Sot highway, one running some distance to the north, and another running some distance to the South. The terrain in this area suggest the route options would be unlikely to be much more than 50 Kms North or 20 kms south of the highway.
It doesn't make sense to build a Tak to Mae Sot railway North or South of the Mae Sot to Mae Sariang Highway, as this road bears North-West from Mae Sot - and Mae Sariang is about 150 KKms North of Mae Sot in an area of probably even more difficult terrain.
Again, I'm guessing that the reporter has made a flat-out mistake, hasn't checked his/her facts or both.
As far as I concern, Tak governor is tryign to promote his province ... by askign the otehr governors from neighbour provinces to joint with his scheme.
So far they want the new route to Tak and Mae Sod via Phichit and Kamphaeng Phet ...
However governor of Phitsanuloke siad he want the route from Bueng Phra (the Oil Depot - just before reachign Phitsanuloke) and Sukhothai.
This is a sure way to have a fightign for the budget in the same way as gladiator fighting ....
Cropped scans (overlapping) of a 1:250,000 American military map surveyed in the late 1940s, portraying the partially-dismantled track and old trackbed of the Thai Burma Railway from Thanbyuzayat in Burma to Sangkhlaburi in Thailand's Kanchanaburi Province. Use magnifier cursor (in some browsers) to see these maps as intended:
http://i6.tinypic.com/4hc3czt.jpg
http://i4.tinypic.com/67gd6xv.jpg
Report posted yesterday:
The Burma Army's offensive in Karen Nation Union territory is to clear the opposition army group because in this area a railway project is coming up in 2008 from Three Pagoda Pass to Thanphyuzayart, according to source close to military in Three Pagoda Pass.
More details:
http://www.angkor.com/2bangkok/2bangkok/forum/showpost.php?p=18475&postcount=36
Related thread on Death Railway in Myanmar/Burma:
http://www.angkor.com/2bangkok/2bangkok/forum/showthread.php?t=2494
See also recent IHT article:
http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/03/10/asia/thai.php
Wisarut
30-11-07, 09:34 AM
The list of stations for Tak - Mae So section can be seen as follows:
1) Tak
2) Dan Mae Lamao
3) Mae Sod
4) Moei River
Investment 20 billion Baht ... with targeted 8700 passengers a day - and several hundreds tons of good ...
It will be used to carry oil trains and ethanol trains ... after discovering of crude oil in Tak ....
REF: Than Setthakij - 29 Nov - 1 Dec 2007
Note: It will be NO use without the connection with the main line ...
Therefore Tak provincail Hall and Chamber of Commerce better discuss with theri peers in Neightbor province (Kamphaeng Phet, Phitsanuloke, Nakhon Sawan, Sukhothai, Phichit) ... It cannot be considred self sufficient without connecting with the main lines.
Two other posts here that heavily back Khun Wisaruth's theory that SRT would be more likely to opt for the Nam Tok to Three Pagodas Pass (Sam Chedi) route:
http://www.angkor.com/2bangkok/2bangkok/forum/showpost.php?p=18476&postcount=95
http://www.angkor.com/2bangkok/2bangkok/forum/showpost.php?p=18475&postcount=36
Although these two following links also suggest that any route to Myanmar is inevitably going to be fraught with the difficulties of passing through its 'minority' areas:
http://www.angkor.com/2bangkok/2bangkok/forum/showpost.php?p=18489&postcount=37
http://www.angkor.com/2bangkok/2bangkok/forum/showthread.php?t=2928
Wisarut
30-11-07, 03:25 PM
Two other posts here that heavily back Khun Wisaruth's theory that SRT would be more likely to opt for the Nam Tok to Three Pagodas Pass (Sam Chedi) route:
http://www.angkor.com/2bangkok/2bangkok/forum/showpost.php?p=18476&postcount=95
http://www.angkor.com/2bangkok/2bangkok/forum/showpost.php?p=18475&postcount=36
Although these two following links also suggest that any route to Myanmar is inevitably going to be fraught with the difficulties of passing through its 'minority' areas:
http://www.angkor.com/2bangkok/2bangkok/forum/showpost.php?p=18489&postcount=37
http://www.angkor.com/2bangkok/2bangkok/forum/showthread.php?t=2928
Even Thai side may have less trouble with Mon people, it will be run into trouble with NGOs sicne it must pass through the jungle area in some parts ... even passign the approval on EIA, the technical challenging will be the next hurdle to go ... sicne it must pass 20-ton specification and 10 in 1000 gradient to allow cargo trains to reach the border without hthe need for double heading when the loco shotage is an ever present problem. ... Tunnel and better via duct are in need for this matter.
Report posted yesterday:
More details:
http://www.angkor.com/2bangkok/2bangkok/forum/showpost.php?p=18475&postcount=36
Related thread on Death Railway in Myanmar/Burma:
http://www.angkor.com/2bangkok/2bangkok/forum/showthread.php?t=2494
See also recent IHT article:
http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/03/10/asia/thai.php
This is presumably why today's announcement of the Samak Government's railway doubletracking plan (http://www.angkor.com/2bangkok/2bangkok/forum/showpost.php?p=20898&postcount=82) also included mention of Kanchanaburi:
Myanmar and Thailand discuss cooperation in hydropower, energy, mining, agriculture and industrial sectors
NAY PYI TAW, 1 May � Prime Minister of the Union of Myanmar General Thein Sein, together with the Thai Prime Minister proceeded to the Thai Koo Fah Building, after attending the welcoming ceremony of the Thai Prime Minister.
The Thai Prime Minister introduced Thai ministers to Prime Minister General Thein Sein.
The Director-General of the protocol Department of Thailand introduced heads of missions in Thailand to Prime Minister General Thein Sein.
At Ivory Room of the Thai State Guest House, Prime Minister General Thein Sein signed in the visitors' book.
The Thai Prime Minister cordially greeted the General and they posed for documentary photo.
At 9.40 am, the Myanmar and Thai meeting was held at Green Room of the State Guest House, attended by Prime Minister General Thein Sein, Minister for Foreign Affairs U Nyan Win, Minister for National Planning and Economic Development U Soe Tha, Minister for Transport Maj-Gen Thein Swe, Minister for Labour U Aung Kyi, Deputy Minister for Construction Brig-Gen Myint Thein, Deputy Minister for Home Affairs Brig-Gen Phone Swe, Myanmar Ambassador to Thailand U Ye Win, Director-General Col Thant Shin of Government Office, Director-General U Kyaw Kyaw of Protocol Department and depart-mental heads.
The Thai Prime Minister was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister Mr Mingkwan Sangsuwan, Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Noppadon Pattama, Minister of Home Affairs Pol Capt Chalerm Ubumrung, Minister of Justice Mr Sompong Amornwiwat, Minister of Tourism and Sports Mr Weerasak Kowsurat, Minister of Labour Mr Uraiwan Thienthong, Commander-in-Chief of Royal Thai Army General Anupong Paojinda, Thai Ambassador to Myanmar Mr Bansarn Bunng and senior officials.
First, Thai Prime Mini-ster Mr Samak Sundaravej extended greetings.
Speaking on the occasion, Prime Minister General Thein Sein expressed thanks to the Thai Prime Minister for his invitation to Thailand, warm welcome and hospitality. He conveyed the message of Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Senior General Than Shwe and Vice-Chairman Vice-Senior General Maung Aye for physical and mental well-being of the Thai Prime Minister. The General thanked the Thai Prime Minister for his explanation on the Union of Myanmar with positive attitude in Thailand after conclusion of visit in Myanmar.
Next, Prime Minister General Thein Sein briefed the Thai Prime Minister on progress of implementing the multi-party democracy system and all-round development of the country.
Afterwards, the General discussed promotion of friendly relations and mutual cooperation, cooperation in narcotic drug eradication for ensuring peace and stability of border areas, bilateral cooperation in hydropower, energy, mining, agriculture and industrial sectors, construction of modern deep sea port in Dawei, upgrading of the transport sector by constructing the road to Mawlamyine through Myawady-Thingan-nyinaung, the railroad and motor road linking Kanchanaburi and Dawei and the India-Myanmar-Thai express road.
Afterwards, Prime Minister General Thein Sein said that preparations are being made to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the establishing diplomatic relations between the two countries, and he also said he will closely work with his counterpart to maintain the good relations between the two countries. He also thanked Thailand for its support for Myanmar in regional and global arena.
Afterwards, the prime minister of Thailand thanked Prime Minister General Thein Sein for his clarification about the development in Myanmar. Regional peace and stability, economic development and unity of all national races are required for transition to a democratic system and those countries that have no internal crisis could not realise that situation. He also expressed thanks for Myanmar's good neighbourly relations.
Afterwards, they cordially discussed matters related to cooperation on construction of Thingannyinaung-Mya-wady-Mawlamyine Road, Kanchanaburi-Dawei railroad and motor road and on energy, hydel power, mining and trade sectors. They also exchanged views on bilateral cooperation on fighting against the narcotic drug and construction of a road passing many countries, and prospects for boosting rice production in the region.
Non-specific link:
http://www.myanmar.com/newspaper/nlm/index.html
I've been wanting to ask this question for months. Are they EVER going to double the existing SRT track underneath the SBIA RailLink? Now I have seen for myself that space is very limited in some areas - even before the viaduct construction. But if they were to double most of it it would probably ease congestion considerably. (Especially since the overhead tracks will largely take over commuter traffic - leaving the tracks underneath for longer distance passenger and freight trains.)
Unless more bypass lines are added around Bangkok, it will be inevitable that some freight passes through the city center. Especially if they intend to move rail freight from Dawei to Laem Chabang - as the above report indicates.
Wisarut
06-05-08, 12:58 PM
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.
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
Wisarut
06-05-08, 05:14 PM
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
For the burmese Junta's viewpoints, they want the lien to pass the Three pagoda pass ... sicne they have already raped, sodomized, and pillaged virtually all the villages along the route ... and they can exchanged those raped and sodomized villages (wheter they are Burmese or ethnic Minorities) to work as slaves in Thailand they Junta are goign cash those slaves for sure ... so they prefer the route that pass lots minority villages.
even though Thai investors prefer the route to Tavoy ... at least it is not paralle with Saeng Xuto Road (Highway 323) as the route to Three pagoda pass ... even thouyg there are too few villagers to be passengers.
Well, it really looks like they intend to push ahead with this port:
Cabinet approves MoU on Thailand-Myanmar Tavoy port
BANGKOK, May 6 (TNA) - The Thai cabinet on Tuesday gave a greenlight to a statement of intention between Thailand and Myanmar regarding a plan to develop a deep sea port in Tavoy, a Thai government spokesman said.
The memorandum of understanding (MoU) demonstrates the determination of both governments to develop the deep sea port as well as transportation links from the common border to Bangkok.
Myanmar Prime Minister Gen. Thein Sein invited Thai investors to help develop the Tavoy deep sea port during his recent talks with his Thai counterpart Samak Sundaravej in Bangkok.
Thai Transport Minister Santi Prompat earlier said that construction of the deep sea port would cost between Bt40-50 billion and another Bt100 billion would be needed for developing the nearby industrial zone. (TNA)-E111
General News : Last Update : 18:30:48 6 May 2008 (GMT+7:00)
http://enews.mcot.net/view.php?id=4144
Well, it really looks like they intend to push ahead with this port:
http://enews.mcot.net/view.php?id=4144
From the report below it is unclear whether China wants to help in the construction of a Dawei - Laem Chabang Double-Track Rail Link or just connect up to it!?:
Thailand, Myanmar to develop Tavoy deep sea port
SINGAPORE, May 19 (TNA) - Foreign ministers of Thailand and Myanmar early Monday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to develop Myanmar's Tavoy deep sea port and related infrastructure projects designed for facilitating goods transport from Europe and the Middle East.
The MoU was signed by Thai Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama and his Myanmar counterpart Nyan Win on the sidelines of a special meeting of foreign ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
The ASEAN foreign ministers are scheduled to confer on the Cyclone Nargis which devastated Myanmar on May 3.
Mr. Noppadon told Thai News Agency after the signing of the MoU that both countries would help develop Tavoy deepsea port, construct a 130-kilometre road from the port to Thailand and develop other related projects.
Upon completion, the port would facilitate goods transportation from Europe and the Middle East to Thailand's Laem Chabang port and cargoes could be easily transported to Laos and southern China from there, Mr. Noppadon said.
Transportation could be reduced by more than 10 days, according to the Thai foreign minister.
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.
He said private Thai business interests will be encouraged to manage the port with an initial contract of a five year extendable contract.
The site construction survey is expected to be completed by the end of this year and construction is expected to take about six years, he added. (TNA)-E111
General News : Last Update : 12:35:32 19 May 2008 (GMT+7:00)
http://enews.mcot.net/view.php?id=4320
See related post:
http://www.angkor.com/2bangkok/2bangkok/forum/showpost.php?p=21097&postcount=12
Wisarut
22-05-08, 07:46 PM
For the case of Doubel tracking with regauging according to PPP, it will be as follows;
The Plan for Double Tracking, Reguaging and new Lines
Khao Sod - 21 may 2008
Double Trackings with Reguaging:
1. Nakhon Ratchasima - Thanon Jira - Khon Kaen - Nong Khai
2. Nakhon Ratchasima - Pakchong - Kaeng Khoi
3. Thanon Jira - Ubon Ratchathani
4. Nong Pladuk - Kanchanaburi
5. Nong Pladuk - Suphan Buri
6. Ban Phachi - Den Chai
7. Kaeng Khoi - Klong 19 - Chachongsao - Laem Chabang
Regauging
1. Kaeng Khoi - Ban Phachi (regauging ONLY)
New Lines (with double tracking):
1. Suphanburi - Ban Phachi
2. Kanchanaburi - Bong Tee - Dawei
3. Den Chai - Chiang Rai - Chiang Khong.
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.
Wisarut
03-07-08, 01:59 PM
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
The list of stations for Tak - Mae So section can be seen as follows:
1) Tak
2) Dan Mae Lamao
3) Mae Sod
4) Moei River
Investment 20 billion Baht ... with targeted 8700 passengers a day - and several hundreds tons of good ...
It will be used to carry oil trains and ethanol trains ... after discovering of crude oil in Tak ....
REF: Than Setthakij - 29 Nov - 1 Dec 2007
Note: It will be NO use without the connection with the main line ...
Therefore Tak provincail Hall and Chamber of Commerce better discuss with theri peers in Neightbor province (Kamphaeng Phet, Phitsanuloke, Nakhon Sawan, Sukhothai, Phichit) ... It cannot be considred self sufficient without connecting with the main lines.
Quite a laugh that the reporter (below), Sai Silp, obviously thinks that ethanol lies in deposits - similar to oil shale::D
Railway Plan for Tak to Mae Sot
By SAI SILP Thursday, July 3, 2008
Tak authorities are planning a rail link between the western Thai town of Tak and Mae Sot, which borders Burma.
Amnart Nanthaharn, the chairman of Tak Province’s Federation of Industries told The Irrawaddy that the project will benefit logistics and trade in the border area, which links Thailand to Burma as part of the East-West Economic Corridor agreement.
Supported primarily by the Asian Development Bank, the East-West Economic Corridor agreement focuses on constructing transport links between Vietnam, Laos, Thailand and Burma, which has an Indian Ocean port on the Andaman Sea.
Amnart said, “The project will benefit trade in the area to the tune of about 15 billion baht (US $470 million) per year. In particular, it will support industrial and economic zone projects in Mae Sot in the future.”
He added that the current mode of transport—by truck—to and from Mae Sot by road has restricted weight limits, and the rising price of fuel has made the costs higher.
Tak Province’s Governor Chumporn Polrak will submit the plan, which will be open to private investment, to the Thai National Economic and Social Advisory Council.
He said feasibility studies had been carried out and found that an investment of 30 billion baht ($940 million) was needed.
The plan includes construction of a 29-kilometer (18-mile) tunnel through mountains, which will shorten the distance from Tak to Mae Sot from the current 88 kilometers (55 miles) by road to 70 kilometers (44 miles) by rail.
“In addition, this will be a new route for tourism,” Chumporn said, according to a report in Thai news Web site Manager on Thursday.
In addition, it would support transportation of ethanol and oil shale which currently found in Mae Sot, he said.
He added that the Chinese government would be invited to invest.
According to the engineering plan, the railway line will start near Lum Nam Ping College, near Tak, and cross the mountainous area of Taksin National Park. The tracks will end at Tha Sai Luod Village in Mae Sot District, close to the Moei River, which separates Thailand and Burma.
Mae Sot is expected to expand as a new industrial zone supported by border trade and, at the same time, reduce the number of Burmese migrant workers entering Thailand illegally.
Since 2006, the Burmese government has been promoting Myawaddy Township in Karen State, opposite Mae Sot, as an industrial zone.
http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=13117
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