Thailand to set up new rail transport department

BANGKOK, June 6 (TNA) - The Thai government, through the Ministry of Transport, plans to establish a new rail transport department to be responsible for mapping out rail infrastructure development projects nationwide. Thai Transport Minister Air Chief Marshal Prajin Juntong told journalists of the plan on Friday,after a meeting in Bangkok to discussed the role and responsibility of the new department as well as the number of its staff and budget. Air Chief Marshal Prajin said that his ministry’s Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning has been assigned to prepare for the establishment of the new rail department and It is expected that every related section should hand over assignments to the new department around 2016 and its staff should be recruited by then. The transport minister acknowledged Friday’s meeting also agreed that state agencies concerned, including the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA), the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) and SRT Electrified Train Co., Ltd, will be responsible for every transport project implemented from 2015 –2016. Regarding a plan to draft new relevant laws, the Thai transport minister assessed that they should become clear by August 2015. (TNA)