Seven companies will be competing to supply signalling and communications equipment for the first phase of the dual-track rail upgrade project, according to State Railway of Thailand deputy governor Sujit Chaosirikul.
Five foreign companies, two companies from China and one company each from Japan, Canada, Spain, Germany and South Korea, have purchased the bidding documents.
"One of the prospective Chinese bidders is China Railway Signal and Communication (CRSC)," said Mr Sujit. "Along with Hitachi from Japan, Ansaldo from Spain, Siemens from Germany, and LSIS from South Korea."
In addition, two Thai companies were looking to participate in the tendering process - Italian-Thai Development Plc, and Unique Engineering and Construction Plc, Mr Sujit said.
Bidding documents have been available for purchase since May 21, and companies looking to participate can purchase them until July 22. Submissions close on July 23, and preliminary details would be released on the same day.
"The name of the winner will be announced within two months, in September at the latest," said Mr Sujit. The decision will have to be approved by the SRT board before any contract is signed.
The first phase of the dual-track rail upgrades consists of three separate contracts.
The first contract, valued at 6.2 billion baht, is for the 169-kilometre-long southern section from Nakhon Pathom to Chumphon, and the second for the 148km northern section between Lop Buri and Pak Nam Pho in Nakhon Sawan, which is estimated at 2.7 billion baht.
The third contract covers the northeastern section between Map Kabao in Saraburi to Jira Railway Junction in Nakhon Ratchasima, which is estimated at 2.4 billion baht.