Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, revealed that on May 27, the Ministry of Transport welcomed Yang Jiang, Vice President for Asia Pacific Region of Powerchina International Group Limited, and the Chairman of Sinohydro Thailand, along with senior executives to discuss investment cooperation in transport infrastructure projects.
Powerchina, a major Chinese state enterprise, plans to establish Powerchina (Thailand) Co., Ltd. to fully support investments in Thailand and is ready to propose joint ventures with Thai companies, along with backing from low-interest funding sources, as Powerchina is 100% owned by the Chinese government.
Previously, Powerchina has had a total contract value in Thailand of over $5 billion across 15 major projects, including energy projects with the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) and Gulf Development Public Company Limited (SET: GULF), as well as infrastructure projects like the Blue Line and Green Line mass transit lines.
Powerchina has expressed interest in investing in seven major projects under the Ministry of Transport, with a total project value of approximately THB 620–650 billion, as follows:
- Double-track Southern Line, Phase 2 of the SRT: Chumphon–Surat Thani section about THB 24 billion; Surat Thani–Hat Yai–Songkhla section about THB 57 billion; Hat Yai–Padang Besar section, THB 6.6 billion, totaling about THB 88 billion.
- Thai–China High-Speed Railway, Nakhon Ratchasima–Nong Khai section (Phase 2), about THB 341 billion.
- Kathu–Patong Tunnel Project, Phuket, by EXAT, about THB 15 – 16.7 billion.
- Lanna Airport Development Project (AOT), estimated at THB 70–80 billion.
- Andaman Airport Development Project (AOT), estimated at THB 60–70 billion.
- Don Mueang Airport Development Project Phase 3, about THB 36–40 billion.
- Suvarnabhumi Airport Passenger Terminal Expansion Project, about THB 9–15 billion.
Earlier, on May 26, the Ministry of Transport welcomed Evgeny Tomikhin, Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Thailand, to discuss strengthening the 128-year Thailand–Russia relationship and prepare the signing of a Memorandum of Intent (MOI) on cooperation in transport, knowledge exchange, and technology transfer.
Both the Thai and Russian sides will consider an appropriate time to sign the MOI within this year, which is expected to be during the ASEAN–Russia Summit in June 2026 in Kazan, Russian Federation.
Additionally, the Russian Ambassador expressed readiness and interest in participating in Thailand’s rail system development projects, such as the construction of a new locomotive maintenance depot at Kaeng Khoi Junction in Saraburi province, as well as the procurement of diesel-electric locomotives, freight wagons, and spare parts for the SRT.
At present, the SRT has been assigned to review procurement formats and wagons to provide more options for budget management and to minimize the impact on public debt ceiling, such as reducing the initial procurement quantity to 50%, or changing to a leasing model from private firms. Details will be assigned to the Governor of SRT for discussions with the Russian Embassy.
There is also interest in participating in the Smart Car Park project at Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports, using technology to upgrade services for airport users, with AOT to hold further detailed discussions.
