BANGKOK, Dec 9 — Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and his entourage will visit China late this month, during which a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on construction of dual-track railway routes in Thailand is expected to be signed.
Yongyuth Mayalarp, government spokesperson, told reporters Tuesday that PM Prayut will officially visit China December 22-23 at the invitation of the Chinese leader.
During the Gen Prayuth’s two-day visit, the agreement is expected to be signed by Transport Minister Prajin Juntong and the president of China’s National Development and Reform Commission.
The MoU will pave the way for China to help build standard gauge dual-track railways on the 734-kilometer Nong Khai-Korat-Kaeng Khoi-Map Ta Phut Port route and the 133-kilometer Kaeng Khoi-Bangkok route.
The dual-track railways are part of Thailand’s infrastructure development plan for 2015 and 2022.
After the MOU is signed, a joint Thai-Chinese panel will be set up, with China sending in a team to Thailand to conduct a feasibility study for the project.
Construction of the dual-track railways is expected to begin in 2016.
