Council of Engineers to discuss framework for Thai-Chinese railway training

BANGKOK, Aug 9 (TNA) -- The Council of Engineers will discuss with Chinese officials a framework for the training and test of 400 Chinese engineers in September and October before their services for the Thai-Chinese railway project from Bangkok to the Northeast, and will select 40 Thai engineers for relevant technology transfers from China. Amorn Pimanmas, secretary-general of the council, said the discussion with Chinese representatives was set for Aug 11 as the government assigned the council to train and test Chinese engineers in September and October so that they would work for the Thai-Chinese railway project. The council will also select 40 Thai engineers with doctorate degrees who will receive high-speed train design knowledge from China with the hope that Thailand will be able to design the second phase of the Thai-Chinese railway project from Nakhon Ratchasima to Nong Khai province. The Council of Engineers already informed Deputy Transport Minister Pichit Akrathit of the academic areas that Thailand needed from the Chinese knowledge transfer. The areas cover not only train operation and maintenance but also railway designs. The council estimates the cost of eight-month-long technology transfers at 30-40 million baht. It seeks the financial support from the Transport Ministry. The Transport Ministry agrees with the areas of knowledge to be transferred and with the necessity to have a memorandum of understanding to realize the transfer.(TNA)