High‑speed rail linking three airports marks a pivotal milestone in Thailand’s infrastructural expansion, with the amended contract set for signing in July 2025 after a five-year delay due to the Covid‑19 pandemic. This project will seamlessly connect Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi and U‑Tapao airports, offering a fast, reliable link that supports the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC).

First officially announced in October 2019, the 220 km high‑speed line came with an estimated price tag of 224–271 billion baht, with the public sector funding up to 123 billion and the private consortium covering the rest. The consortium led by Charoen Pokphand Group—Asia Era One—won the bid with a 224 bn baht offer and secured a 50‑year concession.

Following pandemic-induced financing delays, contract amendments were approved by the SRT board on March 27, 2025. Revised public investment cost now caps at 120 bn baht, spread across construction milestones, while the private partner is required to provide guarantees totalling approximately 152 bn baht,

Key amendments detailed:

    Progress‑linked payments: State pays up to 120 bn baht during construction, preserving asset ownership per instalment. Asia Era One must guarantee construction and operations within five years through 152 bn baht in performance bonds.

    ARL investment rights fee: Disbursed in seven equal annual payments totalling 10.67 bn baht, with the first due upon contract signing.

    Revenue sharing and financial safeguards: If Asia Era One’s IRR exceeds 5.52%, SRT can claim additional returns; force majeure clauses updated.

Key Dates

    Announced: October 2019

    Contract amendment approved: March 27, 2025

    Expected contract signing: July 2025

    Construction start: Immediately post-signing, access to U‑Tapao site enabled

    Service launch: Targeted for 2029–2030, aligning with U‑Tapao Airport expansion

Investment & Construction Overview

The project carries a total investment value of approximately 271.8 bn baht, inclusive of civil works, systems integration and operational guarantees. The path includes eight stations across five provinces, operating speeds up to 250 km/h, and expected travel time not exceeding one hour end‑to‑end.

Strategic Impact for Travel & Hospitality Stakeholders

Once operational, the high‑speed rail linking three airports will significantly elevate Thailand’s connectivity, particularly benefiting tourism and logistics within the EEC. Industry studies forecast a surge in tourist arrivals (up to 8 %), 15 million annual passengers early on, scaling to 60 million within 20 years. The project is also projected to generate substantial economic returns (700 bn baht), along with 19,000 job opportunities.

The rail link enhances accessibility to Pattaya, Rayong and U‑Tapao, enabling new synergies between air travel and ground transport. Faster airport access is likely to shift booking behaviours, stimulate investment in precinct development, and foster seamless travel experiences.

In conclusion, the high‑speed rail linking three airports reshapes Thailand’s transport ecosystem. With the contract set for July, robust financing safeguards in place, and infrastructure commencing by late 2025, the sector stands at the cusp of a transformative era, with operational readiness expected by 2029–2030.

Source: traveldailynews

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