Skip to main content

Thailand rekindles interest in the motorway in Bang Pa-in

The Thai government expects to announce contractors for construction of two motorway sections this month after steel price hikes derailed a recent tender process. The sections are part of the 196km motorway connecting Bang Pa-in district in Ayutthaya with Nakhon Ratchasima in the northeast, according to a report in the Bangkok Post. The project, costing nearly US$2 billion, is divided into 40 sections, 25 of which are scheduled to be built this year. But the Highways Department has signed only one con
July 6, 2016 Read time: 2 mins
The Thai government expects to announce contractors for construction of two motorway sections this month after steel price hikes derailed a recent tender process.

The sections are part of the 196km motorway connecting Bang Pa-in district in Ayutthaya with Nakhon Ratchasima in the northeast, according to a report in the Bangkok Post.

The project, costing nearly US$2 billion, is divided into 40 sections, 25 of which are scheduled to be built this year. But the Highways Department has signed only one contractor so far, for construction of a 3.6km section in Saraburi, the Post reported. The department had to cancel the bidding on five sections because the winners -- Italian-Thai Development and Nawarat Patanakarn – raised their prices after a 40% rise in steel prices.

The Post quoted unnamed sources in the Highways Department saying discussions failed between the government and two winners to reach a new price, meaning another bidding round will be scheduled. The department is also now revising its own cost estimates for the highway construction.

Related Content

  • Thailand pushing ahead with highway project
    July 4, 2014
    Thailand’s Highways Department is asking the country’s interim military government to decide on a planned US$2.59 billion highway project. The four-lane highway runs along a 196km route, connecting Bang Pa-in in Ayutthaya to Nakhon Ratchasima via Saraburi. The Highways Department wants to include the project in the eight-year strategic infrastructure development plan put forward by the military government. The project could be partly funded from the 2015-2016 budget as well as through loans and a joint publ
  • Thailand tenders for infrastructure
    October 11, 2016
    Thailand's Transport Ministry is opening the tender process for over US$9.87 billion worth of infrastructure projects. Included amongst the 11 projects being put out to tender are the 98km Bang Yai-Kanchanaburi and 196km Bang Pa-in-Saraburi-Nakhon Ratchasima highways. These two highway projects both have values in excess of $865.75 million. Meanwhile plans to open the tender for the Tao Pun-Rat Burana highway extension project will open between December 2016 and May 2017.
  • US$19.4 billion for Thailand’s transport development
    February 15, 2024
    A US$19.4 billion plan is being set for Thailand’s transport development programme.
  • Highways Department, Thailand may extend two elevated roads to counter floods
    October 26, 2012
    The Highways Department (HD) in Thailand is considering an extension on two elevated roads from Bangkok to maintain its traffic links with the South, North and Northeast should the capital be hit with floods. The HD would extend Boromratchonnanee Elevated Road from Phutthamonthon Sai 2 Road to Phetkasem Road to make sure that traffic to the South does not face any disruption caused by floods in the future. The possible move was disclosed by the HD director-general, Chatchawal Buncharoenkit.