BANGKOK, 22 September 2015 – Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha has pleaded with the Thai people not to put pressure on the government over the Thai-China dual-track railway construction as the government needs to run the project prudently to prevent corruption being an issue. He confirmed the government is constantly following up on the project’s progress.
The project is part of the “One Belt, One Road” policy to restore the Silk Road linking trade and encompassing development between Asia and Europe. Its construction is scheduled to start in October this year.
The railway consists of two sections. The first section links China’s Kunming City with Nong Khai, a northeastern province of Thailand. The second part is to link Nong Khai with Bangkok, with a branch out to the eastern province of Rayong.
Gen Prayut said that an obstacle to the project is public encroachment on the State Railway of Thailand’s land. The government is, therefore, trying to build an understanding with those encroaching to gain their cooperation.
Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Gen Tanasak Patimapragorn confirmed to the Chinese news agency, Xinhua, that the Thai-China railway would not only boost tourism but also strengthen logistic infrastructure, promoting efficient distribution of goods in the region.
