Authority affirms transparency, accountability in Thailand's new mega projects

BANGKOK, November 5 (TNA) - Thai Transport Minister Chatchart sittipunt has assured German investors that the government's new 2-trillion-baht infrastructure development projects will be transparent and accountable. In his confirmation message to 60 German investors who attended a business discussion in Bangkok on Monday, Chatchart said that the 2-trillion-baht infrastructure development plans will be transparent and accountable, as any corruption act can be easily prevented by transparent auction, fair competition and quality control in the process of construction. According to the minister, the new 2-trillion baht infrastructure development projects will go to three strategies, including modal shift, connectivity and mobility, which mainly include the improvement of dual rail tracks, the launch of high-speed trains with the European Union (EU) standard gauge and the expansion of Bangkok’s mass rapid transit (MRT) system. The transport minister noted that the Thai government's new mega-projects are hoped to bring opportunities on the further improvement of Thailand’s infrastructure and regional connectivity, reduction of logistic costs and provision of new market opportunities. The business talk, held at the German Residence, was organized by the German Embassy to Thailand, with the cooperation of the Thai-German Chamber of Commerce. German Ambassador to Thailand Rolf Schulze stated that the talk was aimed to bring together main players and representatives of the German business community in Thailand, while maintaining close and reliable cooperation between Germany and Thailand, as Germany is by far Thailand’s biggest trading partner from the EU. (TNA)