Thailand High-Speed Rail Linked 3 Airport Project Profile

The High-Speed Rail Linked 3 Airport Project is a landmark infrastructure development creating a 220 km high-speed transportation corridor connecting Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi, and U-Tapao international airports. This project serves as the primary mobility backbone for Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), integrating advanced rail technology to dramatically reduce travel times and serve as a catalyst for regional economic and urban development.

Technical Specifications

The project’s alignment consists of three primary segments: a 21 km extension from Don Mueang Airport to Phaya Thai, a 29 km segment utilizing the existing Airport Rail Link structure to Suvarnabhumi Airport, and a new 170 km high-speed line from Suvarnabhumi to U-Tapao Airport. The infrastructure comprises approximately 181 km of elevated track, 8 km of underground tunneling, and 2 km of surface-level track. The entire line is engineered to a standard gauge of 1,435mm, ensuring interoperability and high-speed stability. The system incorporates advanced European Train Control System (ETCS) signaling, a fully integrated communications network, automated fare collection (AFC), and platform screen doors (PSDs) at all 9 high-speed and 10 city line stations. Rolling stock is supplied by CRRC-Sifang, designed for a maximum operational speed of 250 km/h.

Strategic Importance & Key Takeaways

• Economic Catalyst for the EEC: The railway is the central pillar of the Eastern Economic Corridor’s development plan, designed to attract foreign investment, boost tourism, and facilitate logistics and trade by seamlessly connecting industrial zones with international air gateways.
• Integrated Multi-Modal Transport Hub: By linking three of Southeast Asia’s busiest airports, the project creates a unified aviation and rail hub. This integration will significantly enhance passenger convenience, reducing the travel time between U-Tapao and Bangkok to under 45 minutes.
• Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Benchmark: As one of Thailand’s largest PPP infrastructure projects, its execution serves as a model for future large-scale developments in the region, leveraging international expertise in finance, construction, and railway technology.

Project FAQ

When will the Thailand 3 Airports High-Speed Rail open?

The High-Speed Rail Linked 3 Airport Project is projected to commence full commercial operations in 2027, subject to the final construction and system commissioning timeline.

Who is building the high-speed rail connecting Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi, and U-Tapao?

The project is being developed under a Public-Private Partnership agreement. The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) is the project owner, and the construction and operation are managed by a consortium led by Thailand’s Charoen Pokphand (CP) Group, which includes major international partners like China Railway Construction Corporation, Siemens, and Hyundai.