The Don Mueang–Suvarnabhumi–U-Tapao high-speed railway is a proposed railway that will connect the two airports of Bangkok with U-Tapao airport in the Eastern Economic Corridor of Thailand.
The rail link will be connected to what will eventually be the two biggest railway stations in Bangkok (Bang Sue Grand Station and Makkasan). The train will also have a stop at Pattaya, connecting Bangkok to the popular beachside city in under 1 hour.
The project is known as the High-Speed Rail Linking Three Airports Project, and it will be operated by the Eastern High-Speed Rail Linking Three Airports Company Limited. Hopefully by the time it’s ready they will come up with a shorter name (Airports Superlink?)
The line length is 220 km, and it will run on a standard-gauge track. The train will travel at up to 160 km/h in the urban area between Don Muang and Suvarnabhumi, and up to 250 km/h between Suvarnabhumi and U-Tapao.
A high-speed railway to Pattaya was proposed in 2013, and from there it was expanded to include U-Tapao in Rayong as part of a grand Eastern Economic Corridor railway. In 2017 it was decided to extend the line from Makkasan to Don Muang, making it a 3-airport line. After years of planning delays the project was officially announced in 2019, and the target opening date is for 2023.
Existing Railway
There is currently a rail service from Bangkok to Ban Phlu Ta Luang (near U-Tapao Airport) that stops at Pattaya. The quickest train takes 2 hours 28 minutes to go from Bangkok to Pattaya, and up to 4 h 25 min to get to Ban Phlu Ta Luang. This is much slower than a bus, and only runs twice a day in the morning, so it’s not a useful form of transport in its current format. This is a metre-gauge railway, so the high-speed railway will be using a new track.
New Railway
As a high-speed service on a standard gauge, this will operate separately from the current railway.
Part of the route already exists with the Airport Rail Link from Phaya Thai to Suvarnabhumi. This is a standard-gauge railway, so it will only need minor modifications to integrate it into the new line.
The section from Don Muang to Bang Sue will use the railway that is currently under construction, and from Bang Sue to Phaya Thai there will need to be a new line. The line from Suvarnabhumi to U-Tapao will be new as well.
Route Map
Map of Don Mueang–Suvarnabhumi–U-Tapao high-speed railway.
Stations
The high-speed stations include:
Don Muang
Bang Sue Grand Station
Makkasan
Suvarnabhumi
Chachoengsao
Chon Buri
Si Racha
Pattaya
U-Tapao
There will also be a stopping-all-stations service that will service the stations in between. This is similar to how the Airport Rail Link runs a city and express service.
[Lat Krabang Station on the Airport Rail Link.]
Bang Sue Grand Station is the new central station of Bangkok that will replace Hualamphong Station. All regional and international trains will depart from here, so the new airport link will make it easier to transfer.
Makkasan is the biggest station on the current Airport Rail Link. It was designed so passengers could check in at the station and go straight to the airport on the express train. There is a similar service in Hong Kong, but this service didn’t catch on in Bangkok and the check-in area remains closed.
Part of the plan for this railway is to redevelop the area surrounding Makkasan. The area owned by the State Railway of Thailand, and this area is one of the prime undeveloped blocks in Bangkok. There have been different proposals, from building a new mini-city to creating a new city park.
At Pattaya station there is a plan to build a monorail to the beach.
Some images of the proposed HSR station for Pattaya.
Videos
The High Speed Rail Linking Three Airports of Thailand Project [Sub English] – [29/10/19]
Documents
The Market Sounding for The High Speed Rail Linked 3 Airports Project [PDF] – [21/03/18]
Development of the high-speed railway, the EEC, and the change of the landscape [PDF] – [19/03/18]
“Based on this conclusion, this study argues that the Bangkok-Rayong route will significantly change the EEC from a basic manufacturing sector to a manufacturing plus services sector, in which research & development (R&D) centers, testing and laboratories, data centers, back office functions, as well as services related to tourism will agglomerate.”
News Archive
2024
Progress in airports high-speed link construction awaits new Cabinet – [24/08/24]
Locals want 10% of land in Bangkok’s Makkasan – [12/08/24]
“Residents living near a railway in the Phaya Thai area of Bangkok are urging the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) to allocate 10% of its 500-rai Makkasan land to them before it starts a high-speed rail project linking three airports.”
EEC rail contract revisions to be finished next month – [07/08/24]
“Government closer to agreement with CP-led consortium building high-speed line to link three airports.”
Good news on eastern corridor high-speed railway – [23/06/24]
“Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is vowing to push for a high-speed railway project linking three main airports to ensure the success of the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) and he expects good news to revive the long-delayed railway project next month.”
Airport rail link project back on track – [25/05/24]
“The high-speed rail project linking Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi and U-Tapao airports is expected to be up and running later this year after the state and project builders agreed on a revised project.”
SRT, CP Group discuss amending contract for delayed airport rail link – [22/05/24]
“Both parties consider swapping BOI privileges with EEC ones so much-delayed rail project linking 3 airports can kick off.”
EEC targets high-speed rail plan – [28/04/24]
“The Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) Office is close to finalising a commercial development plan for areas in Chon Buri and Chachoengsao, part of a proposed high-speed rail system that will link Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi and U-Tapao airports.”
Incentives extended for EEC rail line builder – [15/02/24]
“The Board of Investment (BoI) has agreed to extend new privileges to the builder of a high-speed railway linking three airports, in a fresh effort to unlock the 224-billion-baht transport infrastructure project in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC).”
EECO denies ultimatum to CP Group over high-speed rail project – [02/02/24]
“The Eastern Economic Corridor Office (EECO) on Thursday refuted a rumour that it has issued an ultimatum to CP Group stating that it must start construction of the government’s high-speed rail project linking three airports, or the project would be cancelled.”
2023
Three-airport rail contract being revised – [15/12/23]
“CP-led consortium seeks changes to payment terms because of impact of pandemic.”
State Railway of Thailand told to speed up handover of land for high-speed rail line – [14/09/23]
Cabinet approval to be sought for including force majeure clause in high-speed rail contract – [13/09/23]
“The Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) Office will seek the Cabinet’s nod for a proposed amendment to the high-speed railway contract linking three airports that would allow the contractor to be treated leniently in case of a delay caused by force majeure.”
CP-led consortium needs BOI certification before work on railway linking 3 airports can kick off – [01/08/23]
“The Eastern Economic Corridor Office (EECO) is ready to hand land over to a CP-led consortium to build a high-speed railway from Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport to U-Tapao Airport in Rayong.”
Construction of high-speed railway linking three airports delayed by a year: EEC – [29/06/23]
EEC anticipates State Railway of Thailand’s land allocation for high-speed rail system by October 2023 – [30/05/23]
“Private sector gears up for Makkasan development as cabinet acknowledges Bueng Suea Dam Swamp adjustments for future developments.”
Builder of high-speed railway to get more land – [26/05/23]
“The State Railway of Thailand will provide additional land to the builder of the high-speed rail system linking three airports by October, in a bid to speed up construction of this key transport nfrastructure in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC).”
Rayong to Bangkok bullet train project still on hold – [13/03/23]
“In spite of many predictions and promises, there is still no final Cabinet approval for the long-anticipated high-speed train network linking the two Bangkok airports with the now-expanded U-tapao airport near Rayong.”
High-speed railway link talks progress – [23/02/23]
“The construction of a high-speed rail link between the capital’s airports and U-Tapao airport will happen in an area in Soi Chaiyaporn Withee in tambon Nong Prue of Bang Lamung district, says Pattaya deputy mayor Manote Nongyai.”
3-airport rail link amendment ‘will not benefit CP-led consortium’ – [13/02/23]
“An adviser to the Eastern Economic Corridor Office (EECO) has rejected any concern that amendment of the 276.5-billion-baht public-private rail contract to link three airports will benefit the private partner.”
Thailand kick-starts delayed THB276.5-billion rail project to link 3 airports – [06/02/23]
3-airport high-speed rail link completion seen by 2029 – [29/01/23]
2022
Santi favours updated railway contract – [06/01/23]
“Deputy Finance Minister Santi Promphat supports revising the contract for the high-speed railway linking three airports to take into account the impact from Covid-19 outbreaks on the bid winner, a Charoen Pokphand (CP) Group-led consortium.”
Construction of 3-airport high-speed railway link starts in October – [11/07/22]
“Kanit said the railway should be up and running by 2026.”
Illegal Pattaya houses demolished to clear path of high-speed train – [17/05/22]
‘Billions saved’ in high-speed rail deal – [15/03/22]
“The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has said it will now be able to save billions of baht in additional costs in the execution of a high-speed rail project linking Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi and U-tapao airports.”
2021
State insists airport rail link be ready in 4 years – [27/10/21]
Banks mull granting credit to CP-led consortium for mega rail project: newspaper – [25/10/21]
Name change for company linking three airports with high-speed railway – [14/09/21]
“The Eastern High-Speed Rail Linking Three Airports Co Ltd has changed its name to “Asia Era One”, pushing high-speed train routes connecting the three major airports.”
Ministry speeds up land-reclamation process for airport rail link – [30/06/21]
“The Transport Ministry said it is accelerating the process of delivering land for the high-speed railway linking Thailand’s three main airports – Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi and U-Tapao.”
SRT ‘clears out’ illegal occupants along new airport route – [29/06/21]
“The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) says it has cleared out all people who were illegally occupying land along the planned high-speed train route from Suvarnabhumi airport to U-tapao airport, and that it is almost ready to hand over the entire construction site of this route to contractors.”
High speed rail project construction in Chonburi linked to three major airports expected to start this October – [08/06/21]
High-speed rail line work begins, closing Pattaya bridge – [30/05/21]
2020
Pattaya: High Speed Rail taking shape – nearly one billion baht compensation sums discussed – [20/11/20]
Thailand’s airport high speed rail project delayed – [31/08/20]
“”The budget to demolish infrastructure to make way for the new high-speed system has not been approved,” said SRT Governor Nirut Maneephan, “without the budget approval, then first phase of the rail construction will have to be delayed.””
The bullet trains to make Thais proud – [05/08/20]
“The company building a high-speed railway line linking Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi and U-Tapao airports has invited experts from various fields to advise it on the best way forward.”
Cold water poured on rail projects – [28/07/20]
“The 101-billion-baht extension of the high-speed train system linking Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang and U-Tapao airports may not be worth investing in, the State Railway of Thailand has said, citing findings from a market sounding exercise in a feasibility study on the proposed extension.”
Korea Rail Network Authority lands order to manage high-speed railway in Thailand – [18/03/20]
“KRNA will manage a high-speed railway that is being built to link Don Mueang International Airport, Suvarnabhumi Airport and U-Tapao International Airport. It is scheduled to open in 2023. The total cost of the public-private partnership project is about eight trillion won.”
Consortium ready to start work on high-speed rail – [08/02/20]
“Eastern High-Speed Rail Linking Three Airports Co Ltd, a consortium led by Charoen Pokphand Group, is ready to start the construction of high-speed rail, take over the operation of the Airport Rail Link (ARL) and train new staff for future service.”
Thailand puts high-speed rail project on track with land pledge – [18/01/20]
“CP Group consortium promised all plots needed for construction within four years.”
Govt to expropriate 50,000 rai of land for infra developments – [03/01/20]
“The government plans to expropriate up to 50,000 rai of mostly farm land for infrastructure development of the Eastern Economic Corridor and other parts of the country.”
2019
Thailand hopes to have bullet trains running by 2023 – [17/11/19]
Deal inked for Thai high-speed rail linking 3 airports – [26/10/19]
“Thailand took a step closer to its high-speed rail project linking three airports in and near Bangkok with the signing of a public-private partnership (PPP) on Thursday.”
CP set to ink airport link deal – [16/10/19]
“Charoen Pokphand (CP) Group has confirmed its consortium will sign a contract to develop the 224-billion-baht high-speed train project linking Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi and U-tapao airports on Oct 25 as scheduled.”
3-airport rail link hits another bump – [09/10/19]
“The signing of the 224-billion-baht contract between the State Railway of Thailand and Charoen Pokphand Group (CP) for the rail link between three international airports has run into another delay following the resignation of the entire SRT board.”
[An artist’s impression of the high-speed train for the track to be built by the Charoen Pokphand consortium connecting Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang and U-tapao airports.]
Three-airport high-speed train project stumbles forward – [11/09/19]
“One of the delayed Thai high-speed rail projects is now closer to being inked by the State Railway of Thailand and CP Holding’s joint venture, once an agreement on some key details of the public-private partnership project are reached.”
Thai cabinet approves high-speed rail linking three airports – [29/05/19]
“Thailand’s cabinet on May 28 approved a contract worth 225 billion baht (7.07 billion USD) to build a high-speed rail connecting the country’s three major airports.”
CP Group and other companies to build $6.8bn Thai high-speed project – [15/05/19]
“Charoen Pokphand Group (CP Group), along with 12 other companies, have been selected to build a $6.8bn high-speed rail project in Thailand.”
Thailand’s richest man to jointly build US$6.8 billion high-speed rail that will link three airports – [13/05/19]
2018
Thailand: CP, BTS groups set to bid for airport link high-speed railway – [12/11/18]
“Two rival corporate groups – Charoen Pokphand (CP) and BTS Holdings Plc – are expected to submit their bids today for construction of a high-speed rail linking the three main international airports – Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang and U-tapao – worth a total of Bt220 billion.”
Airport rail link timeline announced – [25/09/18]
“The contract for the high-speed railway set to link Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi and U-tapao airports will officially be announced and signed by the winning bidder by next January, the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has announced.”
How Thailand’s massive infrastructure project will create Asia’s next big innovation hub – [18/09/18]
Sponsored content by the Thailand Board of Investment, explaining the High-speed railway in relation to the new Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC).
Thailand invites Chinese entrepreneurs to invest in Eastern Economic Corridor – [27/08/18]
Thailand’s $7bn rail project draws 31 local and foreign bidders – [10/07/18]
Thailand approves $7.2 billion high-speed rail project to link airports – [27/03/18]
“Thailand’s cabinet approved on Tuesday a high-speed railway project expected to cost about 225 billion baht ($7.22 billion), that will link three airports, a government official said.”
Committee approves high-speed rail link connecting three international airports in Thailand – [27/02/18]
High-speed rail linking 3 airports wins first nod – [26/02/18]
“The Eastern Economic Corridor Board has approved in principle a 260km high-speed train project seamlessly linking Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang and U-Tapao airports at a cost of 200 billion baht.”
2017
Taking the bullet train to Pattaya – picture shows the shape of things to come – [19/10/17]
“The sleek train in our picture is whizzing at high speed along the beautiful coastline – destination Pattaya”
No opposition to fast train linking three airports – [17/10/17]
“There has been no public opposition at hearings on a planned high-speed railway linking three international airports – Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi and U-tapao, according to the project manager.”
[A map of the proposed route from Bangkok to Rayong.]
SRT to request funds for Pattaya-Bangkok high-speed rail line in Oct. – [11/09/17]
“The State Railway of Thailand next month will request 28 billion baht to construct a high-speed train line linking Pattaya with the region’s three main airports.”
[An artist’s rendering of what the new rail line might look like.]
Rapid rail link to Rayong set for 2023 – [04/09/17]
“The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) aims to open services for the 260-kilometre long High-Speed Rail connecting 3 airports (Don Mueang – Suvarnabhumi – U-tapao) railway by 2023, with ticket prices starting at 20 baht and adding 1.80 baht per kilometre.”
Thailand mulls upgrading U-Tapao as Bangkok’s 3rd airport – [01/05/17]
“U-Tapao, which has one 12,000-ft. (3,500m) runway built by the U.S. during the Vietnam War, is two hours by road from the capital, but this travel time is expected to be reduced to less than one hour after a new high-speed rail link will be completed.”
Government says U-Tapao will be cornerstone of EEC – [20/03/17]
“The government will prioritize the development of U-Tapao airport as the cornerstone of the Eastern Economic Corridor, the new development zone east of Bangkok that will showcase Thailand’s advancing digital economy, along with a high-speed railway linking the area to Bangkok, the deputy prime minister in charge of the economy said last week.”
U-tapao, high-speed rail top list – [13/03/17]
“The government will move first with two transport projects – the upgrade of U-tapao International Airport and the construction of a high-speed railway – out of the five mega-projects under the Eastern Economic Corridor master plan.”
2016
Military government set to link 3 airports – [25/01/16]
2013
Rayong added to high-speed rail link – [13/05/13]
“Initial plans were to build a high-speed train from Bangkok to Pattaya, but Rayong would be added.”
High-speed train bids set for 2014 – [11/04/13]
“The eastern route is slated to run to Pattaya and extend to Rayong in later phases.”
High-speed rail service to Pattaya could be running within five years – [12/03/13]
High-speed train to Pattaya in 5 years – [11/03/13]
“The first high-speed train line to Pattaya is expected to begin by 2018 after the government opens a bid to build the service in September, a senior Transport Ministry official said on Monday.”
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