As delays hit China-Thailand high speed railway, Bangkok counts the cost of paying its own way

[webfact]

Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha (R) meets with visiting Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Bangkok, Thailand, Oct. 15, 2020. Photo: Xinhua/Zhang Keren

 

-- Thailand chose to forgo Chinese funding for a planned US$5.4 billion rail link, but money’s been tight since the pandemic hit its tourism-reliant economy

-- Its holding up belt and road plans for a pan-Southeast Asia railway, but analysts say Bangkok’s still in Beijing’s good books – as a recent submarine deal shows

Jitsiree Thongnoi in Bangkok

 

Every day, Laos’ first high speed train linking its capital Vientiane to Boten, a city on the Chinese border, leaves the station and brings goods and people up and down along its 414km route.

 

The daily routine started in December following the completion of the rail link that took five years to build. In the northeast of Thailand, a planned rail line is being constructed to connect with the Laos section. The route, part of Beijing’s global trade strategy known as the Belt and Road Initiative, aims to connect Chinese trade and tourists to mainland Southeast Asia and through to the Strait of Malacca.

 

But in Thailand, it could be at least a decade before Vientiane and the Thai capital Bangkok, situated more than 600km apart, could be connected via the high speed railway.

 

Full story: https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3166748/delays-hit-china-thailand-high-speed-railway-bangkok-counts

 

-- © Copyright South China Morning Post 2022-02-14

 

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[RandiRona]

This may be blessing in disguise. If you want to do just one good things, this one time for Thais then scrap it. So far many have submitted their ports/lands since they weren't able to pay back to CCP. 

It's a trap!!

[OneZero]

2 hours ago, RandiRona said:

This may be blessing in disguise. If you want to do just one good things, this one time for Thais then scrap it. So far many have submitted their ports/lands since they weren't able to pay back to CCP. 

It's a trap!!

Absolutely a Belt & Road financial trap. CCP will do whatever it takes to grab their neighbors by the short hairs.  

 

Consider the Chinese submarines.  Since Thailand doesn't currently have the funds for the subs, CCP offered up some low-cost or "Free" used versions.  Again, just another way for the CCP to gain blackmail control of another country.  CCP would have control over the following Chinese model submarine unique considerations: Doctrine, Organization, Training, logistics(Supply & Maintenance) and material upgrades. 

 

All for what? A nonexistent world strategic mission or a coastal defense mission that can be accomplished more cheaply by other means?

[hotchilli]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

But in Thailand, it could be at least a decade before Vientiane and the Thai capital Bangkok, situated more than 600km apart, could be connected via the high speed railway

Welcome to Thailand...  where time appears to stand still.

But in this regard I hope it is a decade or more before China stampedes through Asia.

Edited February 14, 2022 by hotchilli

[Nabby]

Any "deal" with China, the most predatory state on the planet, is designed to do one thing -give China a win and a strategic advantage. All Asian countries south of their border are considered utter savages and exist to be destroyed. 

[sanuk711]

10 minutes ago, Nabby said:

China, the most predatory state on the planet, is designed to do one thing -give China a win and a strategic advantage. All Asian countries south of their border are considered utter savages and exist to be destroyed.

And some people on here write that Thai's are xenophobic...........

[Srikcir]

"Thailand chose to forgo Chinese funding for a planned US$5.4 billion rail link, but money’s been tight since the pandemic hit its tourism-reliant economy"

Really forgo Chinese funding as in Chinese loans?

 

See Youtube video at 1.00 minute.

"Thailand: Chinese funded high-speed railway project delayed"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3wzTXEhwNw

 

As I recall, PM's Yingluck and Prayut wanted China to invest capital in the project, ie as a joint venture. But China rejected that, insisting on being a lender instead. And charge a relatively high interest rate likely because of possible loan default.

If true, then with a reduction in the Thai treasury funds in part as a result of the pandemic could contribute to a default in China's rail loan.

[mrfill]

1 hour ago, Nabby said:

Any "deal" with China, the most predatory state on the planet, is designed to do one thing -give China a win and a strategic advantage. All Asian countries south of their border are considered utter savages and exist to be destroyed. 

Gosh, behaving just like the British did 150 years ago.

[attento]

3 hours ago, mrfill said:

Gosh, behaving just like the British did 150 years ago.

Did the British expect Siam to pay for the infrastructure they supplied ?

Not sure.

[sanuk711]

11 hours ago, attento said:

Did the British expect Siam to pay for the infrastructure they supplied ?

Not sure.

You would have to remind me of what infrastructure the British supplied attento.................

[mtls2005]

So that Bangkok to Korat in 77 minutes for 535 baht thing was not real?

 

Who woulda guessed?

 

 

[law ling]

Too complicated for me ... but, yes, why borrow big money for this project.

 

As for people-moving: Assuming that the airline industry one day returns to the good old days, flights are cheap, easy and frequent.

 

As for cargo: If they want to send Thai turnips (or whatever it is they grow here), slow trains to Nong Kai already exist, and some cheap Burmese labourers can be employed to re-load the turnips onto the fast train for delivery to China.

 

As always Thailand: Don't make simple, easy things so complicated.

[sanuk711]

13 minutes ago, law ling said:

As for cargo: If they want to send Thai turnips (or whatever it is they grow here), slow trains to Nong Kai already exist, and some cheap Burmese labourers can be employed to re-load the turnips onto the fast train for delivery to China.

 

As always Thailand: Don't make simple, easy things so complicated.

Yer --lets keep it simple---A line of coolies unload the trains one side walk it all across the bridge and load up on another train the other side.

Its a wonder the worlds largest exporter--China--and fastest growing economy didn't think of that.

 

Have you seen the list of the Billions of Baht that Thailand export to Lao's ?

Top 3 being

Thailand Exports to Laos	Value	Year
Mineral fuels, oils, distillation products	$625.42M	2020
Electrical, electronic equipment	$288.21M	2020
Machinery, nuclear reactors, boilers	$233.96M	2020

I dont think Turnips actually  make the list---but its that long you can check it........

 

https://tradingeconomics.com/thailand/exports/laos

 

[Nabby]

20 hours ago, sanuk711 said:

And some people on here write that Thai's are xenophobic...........

Guess you don't keep up to date on Chinese actions. Try Googling Xingjiang, Tibet, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South China Sea, East China Sea, Indian border, Bhutan border, Inner Mongolia, shark fins, pangolins, bear paws, seahorses, tiger penis, rhino horn, elephant ivory...for starters. 

[Nabby]

14 hours ago, attento said:

Did the British expect Siam to pay for the infrastructure they supplied ?

Not sure.

Whataboutisms are the rhetorical tools of people who couldn't finish high school. 

[soi3eddie]

19 hours ago, mrfill said:

Gosh, behaving just like the British did 150 years ago.

But unlike the British, the Chinese will never be expected to feel guilty about it. It's arguable that the British left a lasting legacy of development.

 

[sanuk711]

1 hour ago, Nabby said:

Guess you don't keep up to date on Chinese actions. Try Googling Xingjiang, Tibet, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South China Sea, East China Sea, Indian border, Bhutan border, Inner Mongolia, shark fins, pangolins, bear paws, seahorses, tiger penis, rhino horn, elephant ivory...for starters.

I have got to look up Tiger penises  and Hong Kong which always belong to them & was taken when they wouldn't buy Opium from the British.** then given back to re the treaty. 

Maybe while I do that you could send me the quote--"All Asian countries south of their border are considered utter savages and exist to be destroyed."

 

And on the other matter maybe while I am looking up Tiger Penises ---you might want to view who is the biggest eradicator of wild life on this planet---chart below, sorry to disappoint you.....China didn't make the list.

 

The United States holds the dubious record as the world's worst offender, with 237 species listed as extinct and 214 listed as critically endangered.

 

Embed: Chart of the day: Countries with the highest levels of animal species extinction.

Edited February 15, 2022 by sanuk711

[Autonuaq]

lessons learned from the past is to establish good express high ways a cross the area so one can move rapidly, create situations that are getting  others into huge debts to you. Blind the other with gifts and presents that are actually creating more debts and become abidance.

 

then when time is right collect the interest but leave the debt causing the interest untouched so you can drain them empty and get all you need for a bargain.

 

in the end game 'help' by reducing the outstanding debt and still use the remaining debt parts in such a way that the interests become harder and harder to pay making that in each stage more and more is legally handed over for free. and you have all you normally never are able get.