Thailand’s long-delayed high-speed rail project connecting three major airports is set to resume, with contract finalisation expected by July 2025, aiming for completion by 2029.
Thailand is restarting its flagship Don Mueang–Suvarnabhumi–U-Tapao high-speed railway after a five-year delay caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The project, designed to link Bangkok’s key airports with a 250km/h train network, is anticipated to significantly reduce travel time and stimulate regional growth.
Set to cover 220 kilometres, the line will reduce airport transfer times to under one hour. The project is being developed through a public-private partnership involving the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) and Asia Era One, a consortium led by the Charoen Pokphand Group. It will also integrate with the existing Airport Rail Link, forming a more cohesive national transport infrastructure.
Construction will span five provinces—Bangkok, Samut Prakan, Chachoengsao, Chon Buri, and Rayong—and will include 191 kilometres of new track. These will include elevated, underground, and surface-level segments, combining new and existing rail infrastructure. Operational segments that will be incorporated include the lines from Phaya Thai to Suvarnabhumi, Hua Mak to Chachoengsao, Don Mueang to Yommarat, and Laem Chabang to Map Ta Phut.
Transport planners view the project as a key driver of the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), with expectations that it will enhance connectivity, support tourism, and strengthen Thailand’s position as a regional transport hub.
In parallel, the Thai-Chinese high-speed rail initiative has also experienced fresh delays. Earlier this year, the SRT board approved a 350-day extension due to logistical obstructions, including buildings impeding construction. This portion of the line, part of the Bangkok to Nong Khai corridor, now targets completion by 10 March 2026.
SRT Governor Veerith Amrapal confirmed the adjusted timeline, which affects contract sections three to five of the Bangkok–Nakhon Ratchasima stretch.
