Thai government goes ahead with expanding transport networks

BANGKOK, October 27 (TNA) - As the ASEAN Community (AC) is scheduled to be formed by the end of 2015, Thai Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha says that his administration is further developing transport networks nationwide. General Prayut said that he has ordered relevant agencies to complete roads construction and expansion in every Thai region and to connect them with border points by 2017. General Prayut noted that the eight-year strategic transport development plan, starting from 2015, were forwarded by the Transport Ministry to the Cabinet for its consideration earlier this week, aimed at further developing five sectors of national transport networks, covering the development of Laem Cha-bang deep seaport, as well as the Suvarnabhumi and Phuket International Airports. General Prayut stressed that the development plans for public transport are also aimed at solving traffic problems in Greater Bangkok, while for highways connecting with neighbouring countries, will also help boost Thailand’s competitiveness. Besides, six rail routes, with combined distance of 903 kilometres, will also be developed, with the construction expected to be completed by 2018, while the construction of another eight rail routes, with their combined distance of 1,626 kilometres, will begin in 2017. According to the prime minister, double rail tracks, with a standard gauge, will also be constructed on three routes to be connected with local industrial estates and even neighbouring Cambodia and Laos, with the first one starting from Bangkok, Nakhon Ratchasima in the Thai Northeast and Map Ta Phut in the Thai East, the second one starting from Bangkok to Rayong in the Thai East and the third one starting from Nakhon Ratchasima to Nong Khai, both in the Thai Northeast. On the development of Laem Chabang deep seaport, the prime minister revealed his interim government plans to make it the "hub of goods transportation via railway" upon completion by 2017. The prime minister stated his government will also develop marine transportation, piers and, especially, waterway in Pa Sak River to further facilitate goods transportation.(TNA)