PRACHUAP KHIRI KHAN, June 15, 2024: Thailand’s Ministry of Transport is speeding up the development of rail infrastructure to shorten shipping times in response to high demand for Thai durians in China.
The ministry’s focus is on enhancing Container Yard (CY) facilities at Saplee Station in Chumphon province. This improvement aims to facilitate the efficient rail transportation of durians to China via Prachuap Khiri Khan, linking through western, central, and northeastern Thailand. It is anticipated that these upgrades will reduce transit times by two days.
Transport Minister Surapong Piyachote aims to establish it as a distribution hub for Southern Thailand’s rail freight, directing a study to bypass urban congestion by connecting Nong Pla Duk Junction to Ban Phachi, avoiding the need to cross the Rama VI Bridge in Bangkok.
During the peak season from June to August, Prachuap Khiri Khan’s abundant durian production is sufficient for export to China. Last year, approximately 150 containers of durians were transported by rail to Kunming and Guangzhou. This year, rail shipments of refrigerated containers have already commenced on the Saplee – Maptaphut route, transporting 15 containers every other day to consolidate with eastern region durians before onward delivery to China.
The railway recently inaugurated dual-track operations through the entirety of Prachuap Khiri Khan province, connecting Nakhon Pathom to Chumphon city centers, spanning 420 kilometers. Coupled with the dual-track section from Chira-Khon Kaen, covering 187 kilometers since 2022, freight transit times have significantly improved. Saplee Station now serves as a pivotal cargo transshipment point near Lang Suan District, accommodating a large volume of durians with a 9,000 square meter container yard, poised to evolve into a Southern Thailand rail freight hub.
In collaboration with GML Company, the Ministry of Transport, State Railway of Thailand (SRT), and Thai Railways Association are discussing enhancements for the CY at Saplee Station. These include installing lighting and electrical plugs for refrigerated containers, CCTV systems, and additional reach stackers to handle increasing durian shipments efficiently. The rail timetable for the Saplee – Nong Khai route is being adjusted to reduce transit times from 4 to 2 days, aiming to enhance rail freight efficiency, reduce road accidents, and logistics costs.
Minister Surapong emphasized the need to explore a railway bypass from Nong Pla Duk Junction to Ban Phachi to alleviate traffic congestion and facilitate cargo transport from Southern to Northern and Eastern Thailand without crossing the Rama VI Bridge, which poses limitations for rail freight. This initiative aligns with Thailand’s IGNITE TOURISM THAILAND policy, promoting rail tourism in Prachuap Khiri Khan and enhancing SRT’s role in modernizing transport infrastructure nationwide to compete globally.
Following discussions, Minister Surapong and his team boarded the SRT ROYAL BLOSSOM special tourist train to Thung Ma Mao Station, a scenic coastal railway destination in Prachuap Khiri Khan, supporting local tourism under the Quick Win initiative launched in October 2022. This initiative aims to modernize SRT operations, innovate with contemporary technology, and drive economic growth and sustainable tourism development throughout the country.
Author: TriCove.Asia
TriCove.Asia Administrator.