Government prioritizes national interest in high-speed railway project

BANGKOK, March 28 (TNA) - The government’s decision on the development of Thailand's first high-speed railway project, in cooperation with the Chinese government, is mainly based on national interest. Referring to last week's decision by Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha on the Thai government's entire investment in the construction of the country's first high-speed railway, linking Bangkok with Nakhon Ratchasima Province or Korat in the Thai Northeast via the central Saraburi Province, in which China will be a co-investor instead, Government Spokesman Major General Sansern Kaewkamnerd told journalists that the Thai government will hire a contractor certified by the Chinese government. Besides, China will transfer railway technology and knowledge to the Thai side and ensure the best efficiency of the railway. The spokesman stressed that the government made the decision in the way that Thailand will maintain national interest related to the project, including property development rights along the railway. According to the spokesman, the property development will include housing estates for the poor, urbanization along the route and job creation for people. The spokesman said that the Thai government’s decision has received positive feedbacks from local people, business operators, investors and land developers. (TNA)