Cabinet nods for Sino-Thai-Lao railway plan

BANGKOK, April 25 (TNA) - The Cabinet has approved a new railway connectivity plan joined by China, Thailand and Lao PDR as part of Beijing's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Assistant Government Spokesman Major General Athisit Chainuwat told journalists that the Cabinet resolved, during its weekly meeting at Bangkok's Government House, on April 24 to give the green light for the new Sino-Thai-Lao railway cooperation plan, with a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the implementation of the plan set to be signed by authorities of the three countries at the Second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, held in the Chinese capital during April 25-27. The assistant spokesman stated that the new cooperation plan comprises of two parts, including the Sino-Thai and the Sino-Lao railway projects, linking Thailand's northeastern Nong Khai Province with Lao PDR's capital of Vientiane, once completed, with China's technical support and standard. The assistant spokesman said that under the MOU, a new railway bridge will be constructed to be connected with the First Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge, as well as a new standard gauge and another one-meter railway tracks. The assistant spokesman acknowledged that other relevant facilities, including customs buildings and logistics stations will also be developed in both the Thai and the Lao border areas. "The railway project in the Lao side will be connected with the existing one meter-railway track in Thailand, which will then be further connected with the Sino-Thai railway project linking Nong Khai with Nakhon Ratchasima Provinces in the Thai Northeast to cater for both Thai-Lao cross border cargo and passenger transport services", the assistant spokesman explained. According to the assistant spokesman, the MOU includes a statement that the new Sino-Thai-Lao railway cooperation plan will have no negative impacts on sovereignty rights of both Thailand and Laos based on international laws. (TNA)