Vietnam-Thailand transport ties to flourish

Representatives from the Ministry of Transport (MoT) and their Thai counterparts have reached consensus on a range of matters at a recent working session, Pham Thanh Tung, Director General of the MoT’s International Cooperation Department, shared with the Vietnam News Agency.

Accordingly, establishing routes connecting Vietnam and Thailand via Laos gained common ground with Thailand proposing a bus service. All sides involved have agreed to hold a trilateral meeting on the issue hosted by Vietnam in Hanoi within the month.

Vietnam recommended adding a new route that runs through Nong Khai province (Thailand), Vientiane (Laos) and Hanoi (Vietnam) and suggested inviting businesses and governmental agencies to examine transportation infrastructure and demand at one of the five current routes linking the three nations.

Vietnam and Thailand agreed to set up a join working group in charge of research and development of transportation network along the coasts of Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand. The group will organise three sessions and a field trip with their first meeting chaired by Thailand and taking place within August. Thailand has invited Cambodia to join the group and put forward an agenda.

Vietnam proposed Thailand approve certifications for Vietnamese sailors following the Standards of Training, Certification and Watch-keeping (STCW), facilitate Vietnamese vessels entering the country and consider reducing customs fees.

The two ministries will establish a joint research group regarding coastal marine transport from east Thai waters to the southern coast of Vietnam.

The ministries concurred to support the aviation firms of both countries, particularly Thai-Vietjet Air, an airline that is 51 percent owned by Thai Kannithi Aviation and 49 percent by Vietjet Air which is scheduled to become operational in September.

The Thai Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) affirmed to license the airline to operate international and domestic flights within this month.-VNA