Japan eyes new rail, satellite projects

BANGKOK, October 20 (TNA) - Japan has remained interested in investing in new rail and satellite projects in Thailand. Japanese Ambassador to Thailand Shigekazu Sato met Thai Deputy Prime Minister Yongyuth Yuthavong, who oversees social affairs, at Bangkok's Government House on Monday, during which the Japanese top envoy asked whether Thailand would choose Japan or China to help develop the country's new electric rail and satellite projects. In response, Yongyuth told reporters after the meeting, he explained that the Thai government would first study relevant details thoroughly and would finally select a country which could transfer technologies to Thailand. The deputy prime minister acknowledged that the finally-selected country could also support Thailand to become a technological hub in the region concerning such projects. According to the deputy premier, he told the Japanese ambassador that Tokyo has done so by helping develop Thailand to now become an automobile production base in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The deputy premier revealed that the Thai government also asked Japan to help transfer satellite technology to enable Thailand to develop its own satellites. (TNA)