Thailand-Sino talks on navigation safety in Mekong

BANGKOK, July 20 (TNA) - Thailand and China are discussing navigation safety in the Mekong River and the quick construction of new high-speed railway lines from China to Thailand to support the formation of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) by 2015. Thai Transport Minister Jarupong Ruangsuwan and his Chinese counterpart Li Shenglin visited the Chiang Saen commercial port in Chiang Saen District of Thailand's northern Chiang Rai Province this morning, during which they were briefed on navigation safety in the Mekong River, the construction of the fourth Thai-Lao bridge across the river to link Chiang Rai's Chiang Khong District with Bokeo Province in Laos and the planned development of the high-speed railway lines from China to Thailand to support the establishment of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Economic Community (AEC). Later both ministers told a press conference that Thailand and China are joining forces with Myanmar and Laos to secure navigation in the Mekong River between Thailand and China via Myanmar and Laos. The visiting Chinese transport minister also promised to speed up the construction of the new high-speed railway lines from China to Thailand and invited his Thai counterpart to visit China next month to further discuss a master plan on the high-speed railway development. The Thai government has already planned a high-speed railway line from Bangkok to Chiang Mai Province in the Thai North and the visiting Chinese transport minister is also, thus, scheduled to visit Chiang Mai, where the high-speed railway will be extended to adjacent Chiang Rai Province. (TNA)