BANGKOK, 30 April 2015 – Thailand and Japan have decided to sign an MOU for the construction of double- track rail routes linking the West to the East.
Transport deputy Minister Akom Termpitayapaisit has disclosed that Japan will undertake the construction of one-meter wide dual tracks for two routes. The signing of the MOU should take place within May.
The first route, which covers a distance of 574 kilometers, starts from the western province of Kanchanaburi and ends at Aranyaprathet District, in the eastern province of Sakaeo, via Bangkok. The second route starts from the capital city to Chiang Mai, covering a distance of 670 kilomters.
The Ministry of Transport has deemed the project economically feasible, as it can boost connectivity between the East and the Lower West, adding that transport of goods from Laem Chabang Seaport to Dawei Deep Sea Port in Myanmar would be made much easier. The project can also facilitate Japan’s expansion of investments to Myanmar and Vietnam.
The Ministry of Transport has in addition planned to ask Japan to help carry out a feasibility study of the Tak-Mukdaharn railway project, and to send its experts to assist Thailand work out a railway network for the eastern region.
