Thai Cabinet likely to soon nod for EIA report on new eastern high speed train project

BANGKOK, June 24 (TNA) - The Cabinet is expected to soon approve the environmental impact assessment (EIA) report on a new eastern high speed train project linking three Thai airports. Rawiwan Phuridet, Secretary General of the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning (ONEP), under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, told journalists on Monday that the EIA report on the construction of the new high speed train project, phase 1, linking the Don Mueang International Airport in Bangkok, the Suvarnabhumi International Airport on the outskirts of the capital and the U Ta Pao International Airport in Rayong Province in the Thai East, was initially approved by the National Environment Board (NEB) at its recent meeting, chaired by Caretaker Deputy Prime Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan. Rawiwan said the Thai Cabinet is, thus, likely to soon endorse the EIA report that has been approved by the NEB. Rawiwan acknowledged the EIA report has, however, suggested that a state budget be earmarked to be spent on preventing and relieving environmental impacts on affected communities during the construction of the project to be run by the State Railway of Thailand (SRT), namely noises and vibrations. Besides, the EIA report suggested that the Thai Ministry of Transport consider the construction of some new stations to be connected with the SRT's existing stations to provide more convenience to passengers. According to the ONEP chief, the EIA report has also suggested that measures be worked out and implemented to ensure public safety during the construction of a tunnel passing through Khao Chi Chan, a famous mountain, in Chon Buri Province in the Thai East. (TNA)