Bangkok: The Ministry of Transport engaged in discussions with the Council of Engineers to boost local entrepreneurship and incorporate Thai materials in the Thai-Chinese high-speed rail project, specifically focusing on Phase 2.
According to Thai News Agency, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, Suriya Jungrungreangkit, disclosed that a meeting was convened with the President of the Council of Engineers and his team. The primary agenda was to explore strategies for enhancing the role of Thai engineering personnel and entrepreneurs, and to prioritize the use of locally sourced materials and equipment for the high-speed rail project in the Nakhon Ratchasima-Nong Khai section. The Council of Engineers highlighted four critical areas: construction materials, material testing and quality control, construction plans and techniques, and the role of consulting firms in supervising the work.
Mr. Suriya emphasized the importance of these discussions in promoting the competitiveness of Thai engineers and entrepreneurs. He reiterated that the use of domestic materials is a significant policy that the government and the Ministry of Transport have consistently prioritized. He also directed the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) to collaborate with relevant entities such as the Department of Rail Transport, the Railway Technology Research and Development Institute (RTTI), and the Engineering Institute of Thailand (EIT). This collaboration aims to study technical specifications based on Chinese standards to identify suitable construction techniques for Thailand. The SRT has also been tasked with considering the employment of Thai construction supervisors for the second phase of the project.
The government, through the Ministry of Transport, has initiated the establishment of the RTA to facilitate the transfer of high-speed rail technology, including system maintenance. The long-term objective is to manufacture high-speed trains domestically. Furthermore, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Industry on July 31, 2025, to enhance the rail transport system and create a domestic production base for trains meeting international standards.