The Ministry of Transport and Public Works of Thailand has announced that both the Bankok-Rayong and Bangkok-Hua Hin high speed rail projects have been put under the PPP fast track plan. 

The 193.5 kilometer Bangkok-Rayong and the 211 kilometer Bangkok-Hua Hin are valued at THB53 billion (US$4.3 billion) and THB94.7 billion (US$2.7 billion) respectively. 

The private investment for these projects is estimated at a 25% of the total. Contractors would receive 25-year concessions to operate the trains.

The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) chairman Sarawut Benjakul sia that bidding should be completed within this year and construction could begin next year. 

"The PPP committee considers the two high-speed train projects as fast track ones, and the SRT studied many investment options," he said. 

The most feasible option was the PPP net cost approach in which the SRT would make its investment with land and the private sector would pay for the construction, collect fares and share proceeds with the state.

The two rail projects need to get the environmental impact assessment (EIA) in order to be submitted for approval and begin construction.