Sino-Thai railway meeting

BANGKOK, December 4 (TNA) - Chinese and Thai authorities have had another meeting on their Sino-Thai railway project in Bangkok, during which they discussed progress of the project preparation. Present at the meeting on December 3 were Thai authorities from the Ministries of Transport, Finance and Commerce, including Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith, while Chinese participants were led by Wang Xiaotao, Deputy Director of China's Development and Reform Commission. During the meeting, Thailand asked China to come up with realistic traffic estimates on the double-track railway, linking Thailand's northeastern Nong Khai Province with eastern Rayong Province through Bangkok. China agreed to present feasibility studies on Bangkok-Kaeng Khoi and Kaeng Khoi-Nakhon Ratchasima sections of the project within this month, while those of Kaeng Khoi-Map Ta Phut in Rayong and Nakhon Ratchasima-Nong Khai sections would be submitted later. The complete feasibility study was expected to reach the Thai Cabinet by February 2016 and the construction should start in mid-2016. During the meeting, Thai authorities also presented their progress in environmental impact assessment (EIA), land expropriation, the selection of contractors and preparation for the establishment of a joint venture to implement the project. Besides, participants in the meeting discussed a ceremony to symbolically launch the Sino-Thai railway project at the Chiang Rak Noi Train Station in Sam Khok District of Bangkok's adjacent Pathum Thani Province on December 19. (TNA)