Detailed talks on Thailand's dual-rail tracks set March 10-11

BANGKOK, March 7 (TNA) - Talks on Thailand's planned construction of dual-rail tracks will be held in details in Bangkok and the northeastern Nong Khai Province, bordering Laos, from March 10-11. Transport Minister Air Chief Marshal Prajin Juntong told journalists of the update, saying that next week's talks between Thailand and China will be focused on the construction of a wider gauge of 1.4 metres, instead of the current gauge of 1 metre, covering a total distance of 873 kilometres from Nong Khai to Map Ta Phut in the eastern Rayong Province and from Kaeng Khoi in the central Saraburi Province to Bangkok. Air Chief Marshal noted that the entire investment project, called the Engineering Procurement Construction (EPC), will be jointly responsible by China and Thailand, while China will be solely responsible for the construction of tunnels, laying rail lines and a signal system. The transport minister acknowledged that Thailand can learn on modern rail technology from China. Meanwhile, a plan to widen a highway to four traffic lanes from Nan Province in the Thai North to neighbouring Laos is confronting a problem, as local people and students have voiced opposition to cutting huge trees, aged about 100 years, which are growing on both sides of the Nan-Tha Wang Pha route. Prachan Malitong, director of Nan's provincial highways, told reporters that the plan involves widening of the highway to 12 metres from the current 9 metres for the total distance of 138 kilometres. Prachan reported that 372 out of the total 659 trees have to be removed along the highway if it is to be widened. But some of them have to be cut, especially on narrow paths. Due to the opposition, Prachan noted, the construction is now suspended temporarily, while concerned officials have invited local stake holders, including conservationists, students and local people for negotiations on March 9. (TNA)