Illustrative image (Photo: reuters)Bangkok (VNA) – Thailand is pushing ahead with the construction of high-speedrail that links three major airports in the country.
Theairports are Don Mueang in Bangkok, Suvarnabhumi in Samut Prakan province,about 25km from Bangkok, and U-tapao in Rayong province.
The225 billion baht (7.06 billion USD) project is one of the five ones launched bythe Thai Government, aiming to promote economic development in the country’sEastern Economic Corridor.
Aconsortium led by Charoen Pokphand (CP) Group has won the concession for theproject.
BangkokPost cited Suphachai Chearavanont, CEO of CP Group, as saying that CP commitsto investing in the project despite it being considered a high-risk investment.
The company will keep pushing for theproject to materialise for the benefit of the country, he told a seminar inNakhon Ratchasima attended by more than 400 business leaders from around theworld.
Suphachai said there is no guarantee of a highreturn but the company decided to invest in it to help stimulate economicdevelopment to help the country prosper.
The high-speed train project will contribute tourban development and a fairer distribution of wealth and income, he said,adding the country will benefit from foreign investors bringing knowledge toimprove the skills of local workers.
Suphachai said the project will make Thailand aregional hub in ASEAN, which in turn would help boost growth in the CLMVgrouping (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam).
Kanit Sangsubhan, Secretary-General of the EECoffice, said earlier the EEC Policy Committee had approved the contract anddesign of the project, due to be presented to the cabinet on May 28.
The EEC is the government's flagship investmentscheme, spanning the eastern provinces of Chon Buri, Rayong and Chachoengsao.It is due for completion by 2021 to turn those provinces into technological,manufacturing and service hubs connected to ASEAN neighbours by land, sea andair.-VNA
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