BANGKOK, 1 March 2013 The Transport Ministry is set to organize a special event to promote public understanding about the state-initiated infrastructure development project.
Transport Minister Chadchart Sittipunt said that investors from 6 countries, including China, Japan, South Korea, France and Spain, have expressed interest in Thailand’s high-speed railway development plan.
Mr. Chadchart’s statement was made after the Cabinet approved a 2-trillion-baht budget for the Transport Ministry to pursue the development of 4 high-speed train system, which are Bangkok-Chiang Mai, Bangkok-Nakhon Ratchasima, Bangkok-Hua Hin and Bangkok-Pattaya routes, as well as another 10 similar systems in the Thai capital.
The Transport Minister stated that the ministry will organize a special exhibition to showcase everything about the high-speed train development plans during 7-10 March at the Government Complex Commemorating HM the King’s 80th Birthday Anniversary, in Chaengwattana, Bangkok.
The Minister said the exhibition is intended to help the public understand the government’s development strategies and the details of all projects. He added that a series of seminars will be organized to allow the public to make their voices and concerns heard.
Mr. Chadchart went on to say that the draft legislation to allow the Finance Ministry to make 2-trillion-baht public borrowings will be further discussed at the Cabinet meeting on March 12.
Concerning the allocation of the 2-trillion-baht budget, the Transport Minister elaborated that 82% of the fund will be spent on the construction of railway tracks with another 10% will go to the road construction and the remaining 8% is set for the development of water transportation system.
