Thailand's deputy transport minister, Chatt Kuldiloke, announced the start of the expansion of the country's railway network, judged inadequate to current needs. The intervention has already been financed and is equal to 176 billion baht (equivalent to 4,2 billion euros) and the Thai State Railway has already started some preliminary talks with potential partners.
Kuldiloke hopes that an amount of 30 to 40 million baht can be saved from the total bill and dedicated to the development of high-speed trains, which have higher production costs. The Bankgok-Nakhon Ratchasima section should be interested first, for the transport of passengers and goods and for a speed of 200 to 300 kilometers per hour, which section should then be extended to Khon Kaen and Nong Kahi in later stages. The upgrade of the line is a plan that has been long awaited: the original network was built during the reign of King Rama V, 120 years ago.
http://www.chinapost.com.tw/business/asia/thailand/2011/09/13/316455/Thailand-outlines.htm
