Abhisit: Cabinet To Begin Consideration Of Chinese 'Speed Trains' In Next Two Weeks

[george]

PM: Cabinet to begin consideration of Chinese 'speed trains' in next two weeks

BANGKOK, Sept 5 -- Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, now visiting the World Expo in Shanghai, said Sunday the Cabinet will consider a framework of negotiations in the next two weeks between Thailand and China to begin consideration of building high-speed rail lines to carry trains travelling at 200 kilometres per hour in Thailand.

Mr Abhisit said in his weekly TV and radio address that Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, Korbsak Sabhavasu, secretary-general to the prime minister, and senior officials of Transport Ministry had discussed the upcoming talks between officials of the two countries.

The Cabinet is expected to consider the issue in the next two weeks before sending it to Parliament, he said.

At a Saturday evening reception, Mr Abhisit told Thai officials, the business community and students residing in Shanghai that he is optimistic that Thai economy this year would grow between 7 to 8 per cent after growing 4.6 per cent during the first half.

Regarding Thai politics, Mr Abhisit said his government would try to resolve the problem following the bloody violence of April and May this year.

Mr. Abhisit said he believed the House should not be dissolved to pave the way for a general election before the end of this year because it is “still necessary for the government to continue building reconciliation and solving other problems” prevailing in the country.

-- TNA 2010-09-05

[Thailand]

The tea money involved for both sides will be of epic proportions.

There will be a huge scrambling for involvement in this very large pie.

[visions]

The tea money involved for both sides will be of epic proportions.

There will be a huge scrambling for involvement in this very large pie.

As I mentioned in a separate post about this, the Thai Govt should rubber stamp the idea........then leave it 100% to the Chinese to develop.

We have seen so many times the chaotic results of Thai poiticians meddling in things they have no idea on how to achieve. The airport rail link and dedicated bus lanes system in Bkk to metion only two and relatively small endeavours also) recent attempts ending in disaster.......after the (so called) gods at the top have whipped 50% of the development costs into thier own pockets.

Thailand will benefit enormasly from the huge increase in tourism and trade. Thailand doesnt need it stuffed up by petty meddling and delayed so much it becomes a laughing stock between China and Malaysia. Boith ends finished, (laos will basicly have the Chinese do it for them) waiting for the link in the middle to eventually happen. (20 years hence, like the airport) But I guess it isnt easy trying to route an International rail line thru someones bank accout on the way.and nobody notice the scenery as they pass.

[sirchai]

The tea money involved for both sides will be of epic proportions.

There will be a huge scrambling for involvement in this very large pie.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, now visiting the World Expo in Shanghai, said Sunday the Cabinet will consider a framework of negotiations in the next two weeks between Thailand and China to begin consideration of building high-speed rail lines to carry trains travelling at 200 kilometres per hour in Thailand.

What about the TGV in France or German high speed trains? China is always copying others' ideas, but who'd like to sit in a Chinese made train doing 200 km/h?????

Holy shit. :jap:

Edited September 6, 2010 by sirchai

[evanson]

Despite the deserved cynicism re tea money, I really do hope fast rail links are implemented (I agree better handled by the Chinese). The existing rail links, albeit pretty, are for tourists and those with a lot of time on their hands to get anywhere other than by bus or air. It would reduce the present carnage on the way too many motorway links (traffic increases expotentially, roads widened (as witnessed on little Phuket) destroying what's left of the environment, together with all the hassle of having to use the local airports and with all the added pollution by yet more and more aircraft.

They can have their damned tea money. Roll over 'Dr' Beeching. Tosser.

Edited September 6, 2010 by evanson

[chantorn]

Commission / corruption, = 20% maybe?

[Changian]

China is always copying others' ideas, but who'd like to sit in a Chinese made train doing 200 km/h?????

Holy shit. :jap:

Dont knock it until you've tried it.

I went on the new Shanghai to Nanjing line a few weeks ago. Best train I've been on. Silent and very fast. Feels like you are on a plane. According to the display in the carriage it got up to 280km/h during the 25 minute - 85km journey to Suzhou, apparently it can cruise at around 350km/h and is now the fastest regular high speed train service in the world - beating the Spanish one. Ticket price to Suzhou was 41 Yuan (200 Baht.)

Shanghai-Nanjing is over 300km and the train does the journey in about 73 minutes, including stops at stations on the way.