Thailand steps up efforts for closer rail links with Laos, China
The Thai Ministry of Transport has ordered several government agencies and organisations to enhance efforts in improving rail transportation between Thailand, Laos and China.
Bangkok (VNA) – The Thai Ministry of Transport hasordered several government agencies and organisations to enhance efforts in improvingrail transportation between Thailand, Laos and China.
According to Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob,the committee to connect railways between the three countries has approved theguidelines for related organisations and requested the Department of Highways toask for a budget to study the construction of a new bridge across the MekongRiver for both cars and trains.
The committee approved orders for the State Railway ofThailand to hasten construction of the Bangkok - Nong Khai high-speed railway,and proposed the Khon Kaen - Nong Khai dual-track railway project to theCabinet.
It also adopted aplan to turn the Nong Khairailway station into a products transfer area.
Saksayam said the committee will also consider the freightrate and cost to support railway development as the main transportation form betweenThailand, Laos, and China, he noted.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been required to gatherinformation on the development in Laos to exchange and cooperate with relatedorganisations in Thailand to make an export strategy.
Meanwhile, the Commerce Ministry will beresponsible for monitoring the trading situation between Thailand and China andutilise rail transportation to support trade exchange between the two countries./.
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Illustrative image (Photo: AFP)
