The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) is currently preparing for a double rail track from Nakhon Pathom to Hua Hin to boost Thai railway system efficiency and improve tourism routes from Bangkok to other famous tourist attractions outside the city.
On 7 November 2012, the Mayor of Cha- Am Mr. Nukul Pornsomboonsiri chaired a sub-group meeting on the project of the Naphon Pathom – Hua Hin double rail track. According to Me. Nukul, the Cabinet resolved on 27 April 2010 to approve an investment plan on the SRT’s proposed infrastructure for the urgent period from 2010 to 2014. The investment plan proposed for 176,808.28 million Baht in total and includes the urgent development of the double rail track system from Nakhon Pathom to Hua Hin as well. The new rail track will cover 165 kilometers and will be built on the eastern side paralleling with the former rail track. Along the way, a long stretching iron grate will separate the new and old rail tracks.
There will also be an archway under the rail track and crosswalks at every intersection between the rail track and an important road. In terms of the part of the rail track that passes Cha-Am, a consultant company proposed construction of a new Cha- Am train station that will be located on the eastern side or the opposite side of the existing train station. The new train station will be more convenient and safer for all passengers because it connects the main road and other governmental offices together.
Moreover, it will accommodate up to 5,000 passengers daily. The double rail track will have newly adjusted radius of curvature between the 181st to 700th kilometer points from 900 meters to 1,600 meters. This will accommodate a train with speed of 160 kilometers per hour. Now, crosswalks at Ban Cha- Am, Ban Nong Jaeng and Ban Boh Khaem are already done while the ones on Pha Hu Wai and Chom Phol Roads are being made. Mr. Nukul concluded that the southern rail track is usually used for both traveling and goods delivery. At present, the double rail track exists from Thon Buri Train Station in Bangkok to Nakhon Pathom with an expected plan to extend it to Hua Hin. Once it is completed, traveling by train will be more easy, effective and timesaving with less pollution. Therefore, more people will opt to travel by train in the future.
