Construction of high-speed railway on Bangkok–Korat route set to begin in July 2016

HAINAN, CHINA, March 24 (TNA) - Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha has decided that the Thai government will invest in a high-speed train project, linking Bangkok with Nakhon Ratchasima Province or Korat in the Thai Northeast, with its construction set to begin in July 2016. The Thai prime minister told journalists of the decision on March 23 while attending the 1st Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Leaders’ Meeting in Sanya of China's Hainan Province, scheduled for March 22-24. The Thai premier said he made the decision during his talks with his Chinese counterpart Li Keqiang on the issue, while the Chinese side will be employed to develop the high-speed rail route. According to the Thai prime minister, the construction of the 250-kolometre long distance is set to start in July 2016, as the decision is aimed at providing high-speed train service to commuters as soon as possible. "It is now about time to start constructing the high-speed railway; otherwise, Thailand might not be able to keep pace with other economies. If I don’t do it now, the high-speed train project might not be materialised", the Thai leader told the reporters. The Thai premier noted, however, that his government has to spend time on considering details of a loan to fund the mega-project. (TNA)