Thai-sino rail project agreements signed

BANGKOK, Sept 6 (TNA) -- Thailand signed four agreements with China for a high-speed rail network linking Bangkok and the northeastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima. The signings were made during Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s visit to China to attend the ninth BRICS Summit. The two countries have worked on planning of the first phase of a 179- billion-baht planned high-speed railway project. Running over 873 kilometers, the rail line will link Thailand’s border with Laos to the ports and industrial zones in Thailand. Thai Transport Minister Arkhom Termpitayapaisit said the agreements cover design, planning and construction oversight of the first phase of the rail system. Bangkok expects construction will begin in October. Once complete, the rail line will be connected with the southwestern Chinese city of Kunming via Laos. (TNA)