Cabinet approves construction of first phase of project to link industrial eastern seaboard with southern China through landlocked Laos, as part of regional infrastructure drive by Beijing
Thailand’s Cabinet on Tuesday approved construction of the first phase of a $5.5-billion railway project to link the industrial eastern seaboard with southern China through landlocked Laos, as part of a regional infrastructure drive by Beijing.
Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, who heads the Thai ruling junta, made use of an executive order last month to pave the way for the project, which has been beset by delays, including negotiations on loan terms.
The first phase encompasses six railway stations on a 250-km (155-mile) high-speed line linking the Thai capital of Bangkok and the northeastern province of Nakorn Ratchasima.
„This project is part of the development of a regional transport network, in particular China’s ‚One Belt One Road‘ initiative that will link Europe, Asia and Southeast Asia together, “ Korbsak Pootrakool, vice-minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, told reporters.
