Another round of negotiation set for Sino-Thai railway project

BANGKOK, Oct 24 (TNA) - Senior officials of the Transport Ministry will attend the 8th session of Sino-Thai railway negotiation to conclude loan interest and detailed designs. Deputy Transport Minister Ormsin Chivapruck said the delegation of Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith would have the meeting in Beijing from Oct 27 to 29 to settle the details of the standard gauge railway project from Nong Khai province to Nakhon Ratchasima, Bangkok and Map Ta Phut area of eastern province of Rayong. They will discuss Thailand’s request for a 2% interest rate for China’s loan for the construction as China quoted the rate at 2.5%. If the rate is settled, the railway project contract can be signed. The Transport Ministry intends to start the construction of the 800-kilometre-long railway system this December. A ceremonial pile-driving event is planned at the Chiang Rak Noi train station in Ayutthaya province. (TNA)