BANGKOK, 1 September 2012 – The Port Authority of Thailand (PAT) and the State Railway of Thailand are considering a possibility of a joint investment on developing cargo transportation via a rail system.
Deputy Transport Minister Pol Lt-Gen Chat Kuldilok said the joint project involves development of rail routes between a product packaging and separation station, or Inland Container Depot, ICD, in Lat Krabang district, Bangkok, and the Laem Chabang Pier in Chon Buri. The project also incorporates a plan to construct a second ICD.
Initially, it is expected that the budget for constructing the second ICD will be drawn from the PAT. The state enterprise will also fund the purchase of additional rail engines. Presently, only 27% of cargo is transported by railway, due to the lack of trains.
In the proposed joint project, the State Railway of Thailand will handle the management of the new railway section. However, the possibility of the issue must be firstly raised to the consideration of the Ministry of Finance. The Deputy Transport Minister made known that results of the consideration should be known within the year.
