ID :
12926
Fri, 07/18/2008 - 19:58
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/12926
The shortlink copeid
Japan increases transport loans; Minister orders monorail feasibility study
TOKYO, July 18 (TNA) - Realisation of metropolitan Bangkok's mass transit system moved a step closer to completion Friday with Japan's state bank for international development increasing the value of loans it will extend.
Pongpanu Savetarun, director-general of Thailand's Ministry of Finance Public Debt Management Office, said the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) had decided to increase the value of loans requested by Thailand to finance the construction of the mass transit rail system in the Thai capital by Bt4 to 5 billion from the earlier requested Bt32 billion due to the price increase in oil and construction raw materials.
The loan will be used to finance construction of the mass transit system running between Bang Yai in Nonthaburi province, passing through Bang Sue to Ratchaburana in the city's Thonburi side, he said.
Of the total loans, JBIC has already granted the first installment of Bt18 billion, said Mr. Pongpanu, who is accompanying Thailand's Minister of Transport Santi Prompat on an official visit to Tokyo where they are seeking Japanese government and JBIC loans to finance Bangkok's nine mass transit rail projects, aimed at easing traffic problem in the Thai capital.
Mr. Pongpanu said JBIC is expected to grant another loan amounting about Bt80 billion to finance another rail project from Rangsit in Pathum Thani province to Bang Sue on the northern outskirts of Bangkok.
Meanwhile, Minister of Transport Santi Prompat, visiting Japan, on Friday inspected Japan's monorail service system in Tokyo, expressed his interest in the system and believed it could be replicated in Bangkok.
Mr. Santi said construction costs of monorail systems are inexpensive at some Bt600-800 million per kilometre, and it could accommodate over 100,000 passengers per day while creating little pollution, particularly noise pollution.
A monorail system could link several areas in Bangkok, including
Petchaburi and Lad Prao roads, Mr. Santi added.
The minister said he would order the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning to conduct a feasibity study on the monorail project.
Pongpanu Savetarun, director-general of Thailand's Ministry of Finance Public Debt Management Office, said the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) had decided to increase the value of loans requested by Thailand to finance the construction of the mass transit rail system in the Thai capital by Bt4 to 5 billion from the earlier requested Bt32 billion due to the price increase in oil and construction raw materials.
The loan will be used to finance construction of the mass transit system running between Bang Yai in Nonthaburi province, passing through Bang Sue to Ratchaburana in the city's Thonburi side, he said.
Of the total loans, JBIC has already granted the first installment of Bt18 billion, said Mr. Pongpanu, who is accompanying Thailand's Minister of Transport Santi Prompat on an official visit to Tokyo where they are seeking Japanese government and JBIC loans to finance Bangkok's nine mass transit rail projects, aimed at easing traffic problem in the Thai capital.
Mr. Pongpanu said JBIC is expected to grant another loan amounting about Bt80 billion to finance another rail project from Rangsit in Pathum Thani province to Bang Sue on the northern outskirts of Bangkok.
Meanwhile, Minister of Transport Santi Prompat, visiting Japan, on Friday inspected Japan's monorail service system in Tokyo, expressed his interest in the system and believed it could be replicated in Bangkok.
Mr. Santi said construction costs of monorail systems are inexpensive at some Bt600-800 million per kilometre, and it could accommodate over 100,000 passengers per day while creating little pollution, particularly noise pollution.
A monorail system could link several areas in Bangkok, including
Petchaburi and Lad Prao roads, Mr. Santi added.
The minister said he would order the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning to conduct a feasibity study on the monorail project.
