Cabinet nods for construction of first Sino-Thai train project

BANGKOK, August 23 (TNA) - The Cabinet has approved the construction of the first Sino-Thai train project on the Bangkok-Nakhon Ratchasima route, which would also be the country's first high-speed train project and could link with train services in neighbouring countries. Vice Minister Attached to the Prime Minister's Office Kobsak Pootrakool told journalists of the update after the Cabinet's weekly meeting at Bangkok's Government House on Tuesday. Kobsak explained that the Thai Cabinet has given the green light to the cooperation framework between the Chinese and the Thai governments on the first high speed train route, paving the way for the signing of an agreement. Kobsak said Thai Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith is scheduled to leave for China on August 24 for talks on a draft agreement for design, train and railway signalling systems of the first project. The vice minister stressed that the content of the draft agreement would be first focused on the construction of the rail route linking Bangkok with Nakhon Ratchasima Province in the Thai Northeast, whereas other projects, including those linking Nakhon Ratchasima with Kaeng Khoi area in the central Saraburi Province, Kaeng Khoi with Map Ta Phut in the eastern Rayong Province and Nakhon Ratchasima with Nong Khai Province, also in the Thai Northeast, would be considered later. According to the vice minister, the construction of the first Sino-Thai rail project is expected to be started late this year, after the Chinese government conducts a feasibility study and a design survey of the project and the Thai government completes conducting an environmental and social impact assessment, as well as a survey on public opinions for a land expropriation plan as part of the project. For financial sources to fund the construction, the vice minister revealed that they would come from a state budget, as well as domestic and overseas loans. (TNA)