Bangkok, Thailand – The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) is poised to sign contracts for a critical segment of the Thai-Chinese high-speed rail project next month, following crucial design adjustments to the Ayutthaya station that have garnered approval from UNESCO’s advisory body. The decision marks a significant step forward for the long-anticipated rail line, with construction on the track sections expected to commence in July 2025.
According to Mr. Veeris Ammarapala, Governor of the SRT, preliminary reports from the SRT delegation’s discussions with the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) in France indicate a positive outcome. ICOMOS, serving as an advisory body to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), has reviewed the Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) for the Ayutthaya high-speed railway station, which is part of the Thai-Chinese high-speed rail Phase 1, stretching from Bangkok to Nakhon Ratchasima. Specifically, the discussions pertained to Contract 4-5, covering the Ban Pho-Phra Kaeo section.
UNESCO has reportedly given its consent to the revised design for the Ayutthaya station and has no objection to the signing of Contract 4-5. However, the comprehensive HIA report still requires final approval from Thailand’s Fine Arts Department and the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning (ONEP) before its ultimate submission to UNESCO. The SRT has committed to completing these procedural steps expediently.
Consequently, the SRT plans to invite Boonchai Panich (1979) Co., Ltd., the contractor for the 13.3-kilometer Ban Pho-Phra Kaeo section (Contract 4-5), to sign the agreement in June 2025. This timeline is contingent on the contractor honoring the original bid price of 10,325.90 million baht until the end of June 2025. A Notice to Proceed (NTP) is anticipated within one month of the contract signing, placing the commencement of construction by July 2025. The initial focus will be on building the railway tracks while the final HIA approval process is completed. The SRT is confident in managing the construction to conclude within three years, with the overall project now targeted for operation by 2029.
“The Innovation Transport News team from Daily News” reported details from the meeting, indicating that UNESCO was satisfied with the SRT’s adherence to recommendations made by ICOMOS following their site visit to the Ayutthaya Historical Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, in January 2025. Key adjustments include reducing the station’s height from an initial 37.45 meters to 35.45 meters, and a most recent reduction to 28 meters. The station’s position has also been shifted to ensure its structure does not overtly overlap with the existing railway station, maintaining a 2.5-meter separation. These modifications aim to mitigate concerns regarding the project’s potential impact on the Ayutthaya World Heritage site.
Furthermore, UNESCO acknowledged that relocating the Ayutthaya station or altering the railway’s route was no longer a viable option. Instead, they requested minor design adjustments to the station to prevent it from appearing as an opaque barrier. They also advised relevant agencies to manage the urban area effectively once the station becomes operational. In response, the SRT intends to incorporate more transparent architectural elements, such as increased use of glass, to reduce visual obstruction and potential impacts on the heritage site’s landscape. Adjustments to the color palette are also planned, with the SRT committed to finalizing these design revisions promptly for subsequent submission through the established approval channels.
