Sino-Thai railway cooperation meeting set on Dec 3

BANGKOK, Nov 20 (TNA) -- Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith looks forward to further progress in the Sino-Thai railway project in the next bilateral meeting on Dec 3. He also urges investors to work out plans in response to economic growth that the transnational railway will bring about. During his speech on the 40th anniversary of Sino-Thai diplomatic relations at Shangri-La Hotel in Bangkok on Nov 20, Mr Arkhom said the railway project started in 2010 and made much progress. Its foundation stone-laying ceremony was set in Chiang Rak Noi area, Ayutthaya province, on Dec 19, and before that Thai and Chinese authorities would discuss preparation for the railway project on Dec 3. The minister said that at this stage China agreed to let Thailand build the railway while it would design the system and produce trains. The project would support Thailand's plan to develop special economic zones along the border and facilitate trade with China and other countries, Mr Arkhom said. He advised investors to prepare for economic growth due to the economic promotion plans of ASEAN and allied countries. The transport minister recommended Thai investors be prepared to do business in other countries because ASEAN's cooperation agreements with other countries would take shape from next year onwards and transport connectivity would also support the exchange of investors in the future. (TNA)