DEN CHAI, Thailand — Construction on the Den Chai–Chiang Khong double-track railway has been temporarily suspended due to safety concerns following heavy rainfall caused by Tropical Storm Wipha, which impacted parts of northern Thailand in mid-July 2025.
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) announced that it has paused high-risk construction activities in several project zones, including girder lifting, elevated work, scaffolding installation, and electrical system integration. These measures are being taken to safeguard workers and prevent structural damage amid unpredictable weather conditions.
Flooding from intense rainfall has disrupted work in several key locations along the 323.1-kilometre line, particularly at railway bridge sites and sections where drainage systems are being installed. Floodwaters have temporarily submerged parts of these construction zones, prompting a halt in operations to allow water levels to recede.
SRT Governor Nirut Amrapan stated that safety remains the top priority. Around-the-clock monitoring is now in place, with teams stationed throughout the project area ready to respond to emergencies and offer assistance to local residents.
Construction of the Den Chai–Chiang Rai–Chiang Khong railway began on February 15, 2022, under a 71-month contract scheduled to conclude on January 14, 2031. The total project budget is 85.3 billion baht. As of June 2025, overall progress stood at 38.34%, slightly ahead of schedule by 1.86%, according to project data reported by Daily News’ transport innovation desk.
With more frequent and severe weather events linked to global climate change, the project faces added challenges due to the route’s location across natural water flow areas. SRT engineers are now under pressure to ensure that the railway’s flood resilience designs can effectively meet the demands of a shifting climate.
