Implementation of Sino-Thai railway project expected by end of 2015

BANGKOK, October 26 (TNA) - The implementation of a new Sino-Thai railway project is expected to be kicked off by the end of this year. Thai Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith made the assessment on Monday, prior to his meeting with Chinese authorities on the joint rail project in China later this week. Arkhom stressed although both China and Thailand have not yet settled an interest rate for China's loan, the implementation of the project should start within this year. According to the transport minister, Thailand wants China to cap the loan rate at 2 per cent, while Beijing had only stated that it would offer the best rate to Bangkok. The minister acknowledged that the loan rate would be among topics for discussions at his meeting with the Chinese side later this week.(TNA)