PRIME Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha today (Feb. 26) approved the construction of a high-speed rail line linking three airports, Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi and U-tapao, with the latter to be upgraded as the third international airport, Thai News Agency reported.
A meeting of the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) Policy Committee presided over by Prime Minister Prayut heard that the 250-kilometer an hour train would reach U-Tapao in only 45 minutes, compared to 2 to 3 hours by road.
The train fare from Makkasan station in Bangkok to Pattaya would be around 270 baht, while going further to U-Tapao Airport would cost approximately 330 baht.
The meeting also agreed to expand EEC to Rayong, Chanthaburi and Trat eastern provinces and study the 2nd phase expansion of the high-speed train from U-Tapao to these 3 provinces and connect with the transportation to the Cambodian border.
The Bangkok-Trat distance is around 320 kilometers, and taking the high-speed train further eastwards is part of preparation for economic growth both in terms of investment and tourism.
A study of the 2nd phase of the high-speed rail extension is to be completed in 4 months’ time.
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Top: An artist’s rendering of the high-speed train to one of the 3 airports. Photo: Eeco.or.th
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