The Rail Transport Department wants to expand the use of Thai-made rail fasteners and sleepers in double-track railway construction, to bolster domestic industries and save on state budget.
The move is aimed at reducing dependence on imports from China, which has sold "tremendous amounts" of both products to Thailand, department chief Sorapong Paitoonphong said on Monday.
The department will join the Thailand Institute of Scientific and Technological Research and the Prince of Songkla University in a joint study on ways to use local construction materials for railway projects, he added. The study is expected to take about six months.
"We have already begun producing some materials ourselves," Mr Sorapong said, referring to Thai-made concrete sleepers.
The department chief is now looking to boost the domestic rail fastener-manufacturing business in order to generate revenue for Thai-registered companies and workers.
The steel industry will stand to gain substantial benefits if locally sourced materials are used. Even rubber farmers will enjoy a windfall if the study confirms rubber can be used as a raw material, Mr Sorapong said.
Chinese-made rail fasteners are currently priced at 1,500-1,700 baht per pair. The country needs 6.6 million rail fasteners and 1.65 million sleepers for construction of the 993-kilometre rail line under the first phase of the double-track railway projects.
If Thai manufacturers can produce and supply these two materials, they will be used in the second phase which covers 1,483km, Mr Sorapong said.
"We should take this opportunity to set a standard for Thai railway construction," Mr Sorapong said, expressing confidence domestically produced materials will become a key part of the construction project.
The study is in line with Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob's policy to prioritise use of local products in the ministry's projects where possible.
Mr Saksayam has urged agencies under his ministry to find ways to use more local materials in transport projects in order to boost the job market.