Thai agrees to start construction of Thailand-China railway

[TaiShang]

Thai agrees to start construction of Thailand-China railway
Xinhua, December 20, 2017

Thai cabinet on Tuesday approved an agreement to start the construction of the first phase of Thailand-China railway on Dec. 21, said Thai Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith during a press conference on Tuesday.

The cabinet also approved the Department of Highways of the Thai Transport Ministry to build the first 3.5-kilometer section, the minister said.

State Railway of Thailand (SRT) will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Department of Highways on Wednesday to authorize the department to do the job, said acting governor of SRT Anont Luangboriboon during the press conference.

The first 3.5 km section is located between two current railway stations, Klang Dong and Pang Asok in the northeastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima.

Thanin Somboon, Director-General of Department of Highways, said in a press release for media on Tuesday that the department is ready for the construction work and would build the first section and a good example for other sections.

Thanin added that the construction would be a great chance for both Thai and Chinese engineers to learn together.

A ground breaking ceremony is set to be held there on Dec. 21, while the second section of 11 km, the third of 119.5 km and the fourth of 119 km are to open for bidding later.

The 253 km project is set to cost some 179 billion baht (US$5.4 billion). The Chinese side is responsible for the design of the railway, supervision of the construction and supplying trains, signal systems, among others.

Once completed, the Bangkok-Nakhon Ratchasima railway with a maximum speed of 250 km per hour will be the first standard gauge high-speed railway of the country.

However, to finally form an artery railway linking Thailand, Laos and China, a 355 km second phase linking Nakhon Ratchasima with Nong Khai on the border with Laos has to be built.

Arkhom said that Thailand and China had begun to discuss the second phase.

http://www.china.org.cn/business/2017-12/20/content_50113428.htm

 

[Beast]

The Thai no doubt has already fully embrace the Chinese camp.

 

[TaiShang]

The Thai no doubt has already fully embrace the Chinese camp.

Thai, now Nepal, before Myanmar, Malaysia and the Philippines.

Looks quite effective diplomacy over the past few years.

 

[Beast]

Thai, now Nepal, before Myanmar, Malaysia and the Philippines.

Looks quite effective diplomacy over the past few years.

Its all about providing the need of other countries while others ignore.

 

[terranMarine]

Its all about providing the need of other countries while others ignore.

A 3rd World Country like USA can provide nothing.

 

[Daniel808]

Thai, now Nepal, before Myanmar, Malaysia and the Philippines.

Looks quite effective diplomacy over the past few years.

Domino effect

 

[21stCentury]

I'd also like to see the Kra Canal kicked off ASAP

 

[TaiShang]

Domino effect

Wasn't it Eisenhower who had warned against the domino effect of Communism, whining that "we had already lost 450 million to communism so we cannot afford any more" (paraphrasing)?

Well, this is a domino effect of development; absolutely more difficult to stop by bombing countries into subversion and submission (unlike how they allegedly stopped communism in Vietnam by burning down and chemical-attacking women, children and men).

What can they really do? Pile up 10 aircraft carrier groups? That would make East Asia a very expensive graveyard for them, eventually, if they directly threatened China's interest.

 

[somsak]

I think this is actually Thai way of saying NO. No we won't build the China Bangkok railroad. You carefully read the text. A 3.5km section is allowed. What? 3.5 km only suit for walking.

 

[andylrd]

I think this is actually Thai way of saying NO. No we won't build the China Bangkok railroad. You carefully read the text. A 3.5km section is allowed. What? 3.5 km only suit for walking.

Then, that will be sad

 

[TaiShang]

I think this is actually Thai way of saying NO. No we won't build the China Bangkok railroad. You carefully read the text. A 3.5km section is allowed. What? 3.5 km only suit for walking.

Then, China will likely seek cooperation with nations that are more willing to cooperate. Money and investment will be channeled elsewhere.

China is impossible to lose.

 

[TaiShang]

Chinese premier sends congratulatory message on start-up of China-Thailand railway project

(Xinhua) 07:23, December 22, 2017

BEIJING, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiangon Thursday sent a congratulatory message on the launch of the construction of the first phase of the China-Thailand railway project.

Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha attended the opening ceremony of the project held Thursday in Kele, northern Thailand.

The China-Thailand railway project is a flagship project of bilateral cooperation in the Belt and Road Initiative and production capacity, which reflects the spirit of wide consultation, joint construction and shared benefits, Li said in the message.

It is a win-win project, and will effectively enhance the infrastructure construction and interconnectivity in Thailand and the region, facilitate the sustainable development of Thailand, drive the development and prosperity in the region and improve the people's livelihood, Li said.

The Chinese premier hoped the two sides would continue to keep close cooperation, complete the first phase of the China-Thailand railway with high quality, steadily push ahead the related work about the second phase of the project, and strive to realize the interconnection of the China-Thailand railway and the China-Laos railway.

That will facilitate the trade and travel of people in the countries along the railway, and achieve a win-win situation, he added.

Li also noted that China attaches great importance to the development of the friendly relations between China and Thailand.

China is willing to work together with Thailand to strengthen their respective development strategies, and constantly advance the win-win pragmatic cooperation between the two countries with the railway cooperation project and to further promote the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two counties, he said.

The planned China-Thai railway stretches 867 km, from Nong Khai on the Thai-Lao border to Rayong in eastern Thailand. The initial phase, at 252 km long, runs between Bangkok and Nakhon Ratchasima.

The railway is planned to connect with China-Lao railway from Vientiane to Kunming in China's southern Yunnan Province, and to extend through the south, via Kuala Lumpur, capital of Malaysia, and finally ending in Singapore.

http://en.people.cn/n3/2017/1222/c90000-9307277.html