Thai Cabinet nods for construction of three new motorways

BANGKOK, July 14 (TNA) - The Thai Cabinet has approved the proposed construction of three new motorway projects, aimed to spread economic prosperity nationwide. Thai Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha, who is also Chief of the army-led National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), told journalists of the update, after the Cabinet's weekly meeting in Bangkok on Tuesday. The prime minister said the Cabinet has endorsed in principle the three new inter-city motorways, including the Bang Pa In-Nakhon Ratchasima, Bang Yai-Kanchanaburi and Pattaya-Map Ta Phut routes. According to the Thai premier, concerned ministries have been assigned to find financial sources to support the three new mega-projects on a condition that the funds must not affect or burden future state budgets. The prime minister acknowledged that the Cabinet also discussed future infrastructure development projects, covering roads, railways and utilities, and agreed that only projects with affordable funds of the interim government's state budget systems will be first implemented, while the rest will be delayed until the new government takes office. The prime minister explained that the Thai government promotes domestic investment to boost national competitiveness although the policy takes time to bear fruits, namely increased national and per capita income. (TNA)