Communities along the railway tracks in Ayutthaya are raising alarms over the proposed high-speed train station, citing its potential to disrupt their livelihoods and threaten the historic city’s status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. At the core of their concerns lies the absence of a comprehensive Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA), which is critical for safeguarding the Outstanding Value of the Historic City of Ayutthaya. Critics argue that without meticulous planning and reassessment, the project risks irreparably altering a site of global cultural significance.

Adding to the debate, private sector stakeholders and local residents question the economic benefits promised by the project. Some propose an alternative: shifting the station to Ban Ma, a site just 3.6 kilometres away from the initially proposed location, to mitigate potential harm to the heritage zone.

The High-Speed Connection to Kunming

3D model showcasing the Ayutthaya High-Speed Train Station and its elevated railroad design.

The Thai-Chinese High-Speed Rail Project, a cornerstone of a broader network linking Bangkok to Nong Khai and eventually to Kunming via Vientiane, is poised to transform regional connectivity. Its first phase, a 252-kilometre stretch from Bangkok to Nakhon Ratchasima, is 35% complete and slated to be finished by 2028. Among the six planned stations, Ayutthaya’s has become a battleground of contrasting visions.

Supporters argue the station’s location on Ayutthaya City Island offers unparalleled convenience, situated near the historic core and major transit routes. Conservationists and local leaders contend that building an overpass railroad so close to the Historic City risks irreparable harm to its cultural fabric.

Calls for Comprehensive Impact Studies

Leading the opposition is Tawiwong Totawiwong, a People’s Party MP, who has called for a comprehensive Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA). He warns of potential long-term consequences for Ayutthaya and other World Heritage sites if cultural and environmental risks are neglected. “Failing to consider the broader impacts not only threatens Ayutthaya but sets a troubling precedent,” Tawiwong remarked.

The Standing Committee on Tourism echoed these concerns in its 2024 report, cautioning that failure to explore alternative sites jeopardises Ayutthaya’s Outstanding Value, the essence of its UNESCO designation.

Ayutthaya’s Economic and Cultural Hub at Risk

The area surrounding Ayutthaya train station serves as a vital hub for the province’s public transport network.

Ayutthaya City Island, where the proposed station would be built, serves as the province’s bustling tourism and commercial center. The area, surrounded by hotels, guesthouses, and small businesses, is also home to a vibrant community. It sits just 180 meters from the Pa Sak River, which connects passengers to the Historic City via boat—a unique feature that underscores the island’s economic and cultural vitality.

Beyond tourism, the surrounding neighbourhoods are densely populated and host educational institutions ranging from nursery schools to universities. For many residents, especially students and workers, the area is a transit lifeline.

Voices of Concern

Piyarat Chuklinhom

Piyarat Chuklinhom,  a member of Ayutthaya's Children and Youth Network, warned that the High-Speed Train Project could jeopardize the livelihoods of hundreds of families living along the railway. “The economic foundation of these families could be disrupted,” Piyarat said, highlighting the potential displacement and social upheaval caused by the new station’s construction.

The project also risks redundancy, with initiatives like the Double Tracks and Red Line Railways already in progress to enhance regional transit. The Red Line, which runs from Rangsit to Ban Phachi Junction, intersects Ayutthaya Station and serves the same demographic of students and workers. Critics fear overlapping timelines could lead to logistical chaos and diminish the effectiveness of all three projects.

A Community Displaced

A view of the Suriyamuni community, slated for expropriation as part of the Ayutthaya High-Speed Train Station project.

The Suriyamuni community, nestled alongside the railway, is bracing for upheaval as plans for the Ayutthaya High-Speed Train Station threaten to dismantle their homes, their heritage, and their way of life. About 40 households are set to be expropriated, a move that not only displaces families but risks unraveling the social fabric that binds this historic neighbourhood.

Central to the conflict is the ancient Buddha statue known as Luang Phor Suriyamuni, or “Luang Phor Kor Hak.” This revered Dvaravati-style artifact, housed in Phra Suriyamuni Temple, has long served as a spiritual anchor for the community. The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has proposed relocating the statue to the new station, a suggestion met with fierce opposition from residents who see it as an unnecessary affront to their cultural and spiritual identity.

For residents like “Aunty Toi” (a pseudonym), the looming displacement is a deeply personal crisis. “We’ve lived here for over 40 years without rent,” she said, describing the community’s shock at being told to vacate SRT-owned land with no compensation. A proposed relocation plan by the Community Organisations Development Institute (CODI) would allow residents to rent land a kilometre away for 2,000 baht per month, provided they join a savings program to qualify for a housing subsidy.

But the offer, Aunty Toi argued, doesn’t address the deeper issue: survival. “Moving won’t solve our poverty. We’d still have to return here to work,” she explained. Many residents depend on small businesses near the current station, and relocating would sever them from both their livelihoods and the networks that support their elderly and young family members.

Alternative Sites and Unheeded Studies

The tension between development and preservation could have been mitigated by exploring alternative sites for the station, such as Ban Ma, a location 3.6 kilometres away from the historic core. Civil society activist Santi Chomyong, who monitors transportation developments in Ayutthaya, emphasised that studies had supported Ban Ma as a more suitable location. However, plans shifted to build the station near the current one, intensifying concerns about its impact on the World Heritage Site.

“This lack of transparency has left residents confused and worried,” Santi remarked. To this day, locals remain uncertain about where the station will ultimately be built or how it will affect their lives. The opacity surrounding the decision-making process has sown mistrust and highlighted the need for clearer communication from authorities.

Strains on Public Transport

Ayutthaya’s public transportation system already struggles to meet the demands of its users, particularly during weekdays, when the city island sees an influx of 20,000 students commuting for classes.

These students, hailing from various districts in Ayutthaya and neighboring cities like Bang Pla Ma in Suphan Buri, rely on trains, ferries, and taxis to traverse the city. Any disruptions to these transportation routes, whether due to construction or route changes, would ripple across the community, causing inconvenience and economic strain.

The elderly, another vulnerable demographic, are also dependent on these transport networks. For them, accessibility is not just a convenience but a necessity, further underscoring the stakes of infrastructural upheaval.

Collective Action

In response to these challenges, civil society groups like the Ayutthaya Consumer Protection Centre have stepped forward. This organisation, comprising local residents and stakeholders, has been instrumental in advocating for transparency and fairness in the project’s execution. Representatives from education agencies and other governmental bodies have joined the group in meetings to discuss the issues, exchange information, and seek solutions.

Their demands are clear: the project must balance progress with preservation, ensuring that the economic and cultural lifeblood of Ayutthaya remains intact. They call on state agencies to consider not just the physical infrastructure but also the human and cultural costs that cannot be measured in kilometres or baht.

Political Support and UNESCO’s Objections

A signboard supporting the construction of the high-speed train station at the current railway station location. 
Photo taken on 9 December 2023.

Despite UNESCO’s objections, the decision to construct the High-Speed Train Station in the same location as Ayutthaya’s existing station has garnered support from local and provincial politicians, as well as influential businesses like the nearby floating market. Proponents span the political spectrum, from Pheu Thai to Bhumjaithai, as well as the Ayothaya Town Municipality, highlighting the complex web of interests surrounding the project.

Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya City Municipality has proposed additional infrastructure, such as a skywalk connecting the station to the city via the Pa Sak River. However, civil society activist Santi Chomyong raised concerns that this plan might disrupt traditional modes of public transportation like tuk-tuks, motorcycle taxis, and ferries, forcing them to adapt or face obsolescence. “Such changes might not just reshape transit but affect the livelihoods of those who depend on these services,” Santi warned.

Santi also pointed out inconsistencies in the station’s planning process. While earlier proposals, such as relocating the station to Ban Ma, were backed by extensive research and broad support, the government ultimately chose to move forward with the current location.

UNESCO’s Recommendations: A Compromise Ignored

In May 2021, the National Committee on the World Heritage Convention presented five potential models to address concerns about the impact on the historic site:

1. Constructing an underpass beneath the historic area.

2. Redirecting the rail route away from the historic area.

3. Moving the station to a location before reaching the current one.

4. Building at the same location while adjusting city planning to accommodate it.

5. Initially constructing only the railway, postponing the station development.

The committee endorsed the first two options as the least disruptive to the World Heritage Site. Yet, despite these recommendations, the government opted for the fourth model—a decision that has fuelled ongoing debate.

Ayutthaya’s Role in Transit-Oriented Development

Santi emphasised Ayutthaya’s potential as a model for transit-oriented development (TOD), envisioning a hub that connects northern and southern Thailand while preserving the province’s historical and cultural value. He argued that the Ban Ma site, just 3.6 kilometers from the current station and spanning three tambons (subdistricts), offered a viable alternative that could better integrate with the province’s public transportation system.

“By properly designing the station to connect with Ayutthaya’s existing transport network, we could foster economic growth while minimizing disruption to the historic city,” Santi explained.

Slow But Sure: Voices for Strategic Development

Chaiyakrit Pumkhem, Chairman of the Federation of Thai Industry Ayutthaya (FTI Ayutthaya)

Chaiyakrit Pumkhem, Chairman of the Federation of Thai Industry Ayutthaya (FTI Ayutthaya), joined the call for strategic planning, acknowledging the station’s importance for Ayutthaya’s future but urging a more thoughtful approach. “Even if it means a delay of one or two years, better planning will yield far greater benefits in the long run,” he said.

He cited the examples of Hua Lamphong Station and Don Mueang International Airport, where poor planning and space constraints led to costly relocations and expansions. Without similar foresight, Chaiyakrit warned, Ayutthaya could face comparable challenges, limiting its growth potential.

Chaiyakrit emphasised Ayutthaya’s unique position as an industrial hub with over 300,000 workers and significant economic potential. “Preserving the historic city while developing the outskirts into an economic hub could create a balanced approach to growth,” he said.

Referring to a report from the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP), Chaiyakrit reiterated his support for relocating the station to Ban Ma, stressing that the move could provide long-term benefits for Ayutthaya’s economy, society, and infrastructure.