The double-track rail project worth 64.3 billion baht linking Laem Chabang, Map Ta Phut and Sattahip ports to the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) is scheduled to go before the EEC Policy Committee for approval tomorrow.
According to Kanit Sangsubhan, director of the Eastern Economic Corridor Office, the double-track rail network linking the three key ports with industrial clusters is one of four urgent EEC infrastructure projects that the government is eager to open bids within this year.
Other urgent projects include the 158-billion-baht high-speed train from Bangkok to Rayong, linking Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi and U-tapao airports, another double-track railway in the area, and the third phase of the Laem Chabang deep-sea port.
A feasibility study on the Bangkok-Rayong high-speed rail project is expected to be completed in August, and will be developed under the public-private partnership (PPP) programme.
Japan and China are keen to bid for the Bangkok-Rayong high-speed development project.
Japan has also proposed that the government extend the project to Ayutthaya province.
However, Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak said Thailand proposed that the Bangkok-Ayutthaya route should be a part of the planned Bangkok-Chiang Mai high-speed rail project, which the government aims to implement by this year.
The deputy prime minister also said the bidding process for the five double-track railways should be accelerated.
Bids for three of them -- Nakhon Pathom-Hua Hin, Hua-Hin-Prachuap Khiri Khan, and Prachuap Khiri Khan-Chumphon -- are expected between July and August.
The other two projects -- Map Kabao in Saraburi-Jira junction in Nakhon Ratchasima, and Lop Buri-Nakhon Sawan -- are expected to be ready for bidding in September.
The EEC Policy Committee on April 5 approved the first phase of U-tapao airport as the first infrastructure development project at EEC.
The investment includes 8 billion baht worth to build the second runway of U-tapao airport, expected to be completed in three years.
The government will allow a PPP scheme for the second terminal, which is scheduled to be completed in five years to increase the capacity of U-tapao airport to 15 million passengers, up from 3 million.
The planned U-tapao airport development spans three phases worth a combined 200 billion baht investment. The first stage aims for 15 million passengers in five years, the second targets 30 million passengers in ten years and the third, 60 million passengers in 15 years.
Mr Kanit said the EEC Office is scheduled to call seven joint meetings with a non-governmental organisation and nearby local communities in June to inform them about the EEC projects involved.
He said the EEC development is expected to cover 50,000 rai, equivalent to 0.6% of total land plots in Chon Buri, Rayong and Chachoengsao.