China has expressed enthusiasm to cooperate with Thailand in the construction of the Bangkok-Chiang Mai and Bangkok-Nong Khai high speed rail projects, said the Thai Ministry of Transport.
Thai Deputy Transport Minister Chatchart Sithipan said that Wang Shengwen, Director-General of the Department of Outward Investment and Economic Cooperation under the Commerce Ministry of China, expressed the enthusiasm during his current visit to Thailand .
According to Minister Chatchart, China conducted initial studies on the projects and suggested that the Bangkok-Chiang Mai railway should concentrate on passenger transport using trains running at a speed of 250-300km per hour.
China also suggested that 87 percent of the route should be constructed on elevated grounds to avoid the problem of inundation.
Meanwhile, the Bangkok-Nong Khai route should aim for both passenger and cargo services, with trains running at a speed of no less than 160 km/hour. This route is highly attractive to China as it will create rail links among Thailand , Laos , and China .
However, Chatchart said Thailand has not yet decided who will be granted the construction contract as it has received proposals from Japan and Korea .
Once the decision is reached, the projects are expected to commence within 2013, said the Thai Ministry of Transport.-VNA
Thai Deputy Transport Minister Chatchart Sithipan said that Wang Shengwen, Director-General of the Department of Outward Investment and Economic Cooperation under the Commerce Ministry of China, expressed the enthusiasm during his current visit to Thailand .
According to Minister Chatchart, China conducted initial studies on the projects and suggested that the Bangkok-Chiang Mai railway should concentrate on passenger transport using trains running at a speed of 250-300km per hour.
China also suggested that 87 percent of the route should be constructed on elevated grounds to avoid the problem of inundation.
Meanwhile, the Bangkok-Nong Khai route should aim for both passenger and cargo services, with trains running at a speed of no less than 160 km/hour. This route is highly attractive to China as it will create rail links among Thailand , Laos , and China .
However, Chatchart said Thailand has not yet decided who will be granted the construction contract as it has received proposals from Japan and Korea .
Once the decision is reached, the projects are expected to commence within 2013, said the Thai Ministry of Transport.-VNA
