Rival Political Parties Promise Billions For Thai Infrastructure

[webfact]

Rival political parties promise billions for infrastructure

By Watcharapong Thongrung

The Nation

The two major political parties have promised investment to the tune of hundreds of billions of baht on infrastructure if they win the most seats in the House of Representatives and the right to form the new government after the July 3 election.

At a Krungthep Turakij-Nation forum on "Election Campaign: Mega-project Investment", Pheu Thai campaign strategist Pichai Naripthaphan said infrastructure investment was an integral part of the party's goal to turn Thailand into an Asean leader.

Chief in the investment plan is development of the Southern Seaboard to attract investment from Japan, in addition to tax issues and revamping the labour wage scale. The party has also set its sights on the construction of a land bridge to link the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand directly.

The party would also establish 10 more electric train lines in Bangkok to solve traffic problems. It would amend the laws on land expropriation to support its plan to create new mega-cities in other regions, and invest in the development of information technology. Also in the works is a plan to erect a dam to protect Bangkok from land erosion and floods.

"A large number of Thais are living in poverty. Amid an increase in food prices and debts, it is necessary and urgent to boost their income and improve their quality of life," Pichai said.

He insisted that such policies would become a reality only if Pheu Thai wins a majority and controls the government. "Under a Pheu Thai-led government, the ministries of Interior and Transport would be under Pheu Thai's control."

According to Korbsak Sabhavasu, chairman of the Democrat Party's election strategies committee, the party would proceed with the Sino-Thai high-speed rail project that would run from Kunming in southern China through Nong Khai, Udon Thani, Khon Kaen, Nakhon Ratchasima and Bangkok to Padang Besar. The first phase, from Nong Khai to Bangkok, will entail an investment of Bt150 billion and is slated for service in 2016. The second phase, from Bangkok to Padang Besar, will cost Bt230 billion and is slated for service in 2020.

Korbsak said the 1,600-kilometre route, invested in 60 per cent by Thailand and 40 per cent by China, would boost tourism in Thailand and speed up economic growth in the provinces thanks to its speed of 200kph for passenger transport and 120kph for goods transport.

"This will open up the agricultural market in China for Thailand, [create] a new market for SMEs [small and medium-sized enterprises], and enhance Thailand's competitive edge as the centre of Asean," he said.

The current Democrat-led government has approved a budget of Bt170 billion for double-tracking the railway system as well as improving the State Railway of Thailand's operations.

Another major project is to turn Laem Chabang into a harbour city, complementing Thailand's wish to become the gateway to the region when Asean becomes a single market. Under the plan, the capacity of Laem Chabang deep-sea port would be enhanced, while the transport network is improved to reduce logistics costs. This would be supported by a Bangkok-Rayong high-speed railway as well as plans to turn Map Ta Phut into an eco-town and develop Pattaya as a tourist city. Korbsak expects these to require an investment of about Bt100 billion.

The Democrats also plan to spend about Bt10 billion a year to improve tourist attractions and tourism infrastructure in 60 provinces. This amount will cover the training of more than 150,000 personnel in the industry and the relocation of Bangkok Port to turn the area into Chao Phraya Park.

"Rather than adopting the Western development model, Thailand should focus its strategies on improving the transport and tourism industries, which are our strengths. We need to improve the quality of existing tourist attractions and the quality of life under the sufficiency philosophy, rather than focusing on low labour costs," he said.

Praipol Khumsap, an economics lecturer at Thammasat University, commented that it was necessary that political parties that vow to solve traffic congestion in Bangkok through urban rail and a web of expressways thoroughly study their plans, which should be practical and be able to solve the problem.

Suwit Ratanachinda, president of the Thai International Freight Forwarders Association, said the new government should clear away obstacles for the logistics industry. Land, water and air transport linkages must be improved.

"This can be done without huge investment. For example, there are several customs rules that could be cleared up to promote the logistics industry," he said.

-- The Nation 2011-05-23

[dale8]

Hello, these are good plans that should benefit more people other than the people that can get a kickback. This is the season of multiple promises and boasts, and some voters might be 500 baht more wealthy in celebration of the election. We will see what is reality after the election as the financing of these mega projects could be met with fierce opposition. Cheers

[Pib]

And lets fund all of these promises western style by selling more bonds, printing more money, and going further in debt. Simple.

[dumball]

Dreams---wishes---promises--are these not bandied around on a steady drip with little to nothing of consequence arriving on the door step of the average Thai ?

TALK IS CHEAP

[JurgenG]

Developing infrastructures is always a good thing.

An other positive point is they are now talking about what they're going to do if they are elected instead of attacking each others. A major improvement if you ask me, I've never been a great fan of negative campaigning.

[JurgenG]

And lets fund all of these promises western style by selling more bonds, printing more money, and going further in debt. Simple.

China is where it is now because of massive investments to develop infrastructures. And China is not in debt.

If you want to find the reasons of the financial problems of some western countries, I think you should look somewhere else.

[jimbeam1]

Dreams---wishes---promises--are these not bandied around on a steady drip with little to nothing of consequence arriving on the door step of the average Thai ?

TALK IS CHEAP

Silence is Golden.... Ah I feel a song coming on.

For my next trick, I will pull a white fluffy Rabbit from my hat.

jb1

[siampolee]

A picture is worth a thousand words !!