BANGKOK, 22 February 2012 – The Transport Ministry is prepared to discuss with the Chinese counterpart on Friday the conclusion of an MOU on joint development of high-speed rail systems in Thailand.
Related departments have already worked together to prepare data and progress on the high-speed railway project before discussing the information with the Chinese representatives. Deputy Permanent Secretary for Transport Chamroon Tangpaisalkit said some points in the agreement signed recently between the two countries are still ambiguous and prompt the ministry to seek more talks with China.
Under the proposed MOU framework, Mr Chamroon said the Thai side will set up a technical committee to make sure that Thailand will benefit from the project. The committee, once set up, will also look at the format of private sector investments in the project.
State Railway of Thailand (SRT) Governor Yutthana Tapcharoen said the definite rail route is yet to be identified and whether to allow the private sector joining in the program or not is still undecided.
Mr Yutthana added that the Pheu Thai government has a clear-cut policy to develop high-speed railways with the first potential route running between Bangkok and Chiang Mai. Initially, five routes have been designed including Bangkok-Nong Kai, Bangkok-Chiang Mai, Bangkok-Rayong, Bangkok-Padang Besar, and Bangkok- Ubon Ratchathani.
