Transport Ministry: Thai People Support State-Initiated Thb2.2Tril Mega-Projects

[webfact]

Transport Ministry: Thai people support state-initiated THB2.2tril mega-projects

BANGKOK, 18 MARCH 2013 (NNT) – The Transport Ministry has claimed that an overwhelming majority of people support the state-initiated infrastructure mega-projects, after they have seen the government's presentation.

Transport Minister Chadchart Sittipunt cited a survey result in suggesting that 91% of the people, who had been to the "Thailand 2020" exhibition on the government's infrastructure investment plans, wanted all the projects to go ahead.

He added, however, that there also remain some worries about possible corruption and the capability of the organizations tasked to carry out the projects, such as the State Railway of Thailand.

The "Thailand 2020" exhibition is a showcase of the government's plan to invest 2.2 trillion baht in various infrastructure projects, including the high-speed train routes, the electric train systems, and the construction of the Dawei seaport in Myanmar as Thailand's main connection point to other regions by sea.

The opposition Democrat party has expressed worries that the plan to borrow 2.2 trillion baht will increase public debt and has threatened to request a judicial review of the bill by the Constitution Court.


-- NNT 2013-03-18

[dcutman]

The Transport Ministry has claimed that an overwhelming majority
of people support the state-initiated infrastructure mega-projects,
after they have seen the government's presentation.

They also claim it will be transparent and corruption free, but does anybody believe that claim?

[webfact]

Bt2 trillion loans for mammoth projects to cabinet tomorrow
By Digital Media



BANGKOK, March 18 – The Transport Ministry is set to seek cabinet approval tomorrow on Bt2 trillion in loans for Thailand’s mega infrastructure projects and construction of four high-speed railway routes.

The high-speed train projects will connect Bangkok with Chiang Mai in the North, with Nong Khai in the Northeast, with Padang Besar in the South and with Rayong in the East.

Investment in some projects such as road construction and marine transport will be slashed to give the high-speed train scheme a major push.

State Railway of Thailand governor Prapas Chongsanguan said the SRT is ready to go ahead with the high-speed train project and insisted that management of the train system and service should be left to the SRT instead of setting up a new organisation to run it in the future.

According to an estimate, the cost of the Bangkok-Chiang Mai route, some 670 km, is Bt390 billion, Bangkok-Rayong, at 221 km, is Bt70 billion, Bangkok-Nong Khai, at 615 km, is Bt150 billion while the cost for the 982 km Bangkok-Padang Besar route is still being evaluated.

The original plan for Bangkok-Hua Hin route was for Bt80 billion but the Transport Ministry has decided to extend it to Padang Besar on the Thai-Malaysian border.

Bang Sue station in Bangkok will serve as the hub of the high-speed train service which will begin operations in 2019-2020. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2013-03-18

[tonysteel]

So the roads which are already in a bad state and the cause of endless accidents are pretty much gonna be left to fall apart for the next 7 years..

They might want to finish some of the other projects they have started first !!

[chainarong]

You only have to look at the latest out of China to see that running HS rail is a very demanding project, the hype that surrounds china's system hides the fact that over fifty senior execs have been jailed for fraud /corruption, the grandfather of China's HS rail is also inside, the system is a shambles , carrying less than twenty five percent capacity, break downs are frequent , ABB Germany were astounded when investigations into a rear end HS smash, were told that the drivers only did eight hrs training in a simulator, Cracks where found in drive axles, so they blamed the Italian maker of it being to difficult to understand the xray equip ,they altered the settings, hey presto no more cracks, at one stage they had fifty two trains out of service because of this problem, and last but not least ,they had twelve hundered safety factors to address, So in summing up, its all very well to have HS trains, but you need the proper people in the right places , I am afraid that on this exercise I don't see that happening in Thai.

[bigbamboo]

Didn't the BB order his ministers to ensure the people understood that these projects for their benefit only last week?

[Pimay1]

Survey questions:

Transport Minister Chadchart Sittipunt:

Do you want all the government's infrastructure investment plans and projects to go ahead? If so you receive free lunch and a case of Red Bull. If not you're on your own.

[kennedy]

Thailand is starting to dig their hole. Putting the cart in front of the buffalo.

[SOTIRIOS]

.....'visitors'...'by invitation only'....

(....considering nothing has been done to address the impending floods.....this is insanity...)

[Pimay1]

.....'visitors'...'by invitation only'....

(....considering nothing has been done to address the impending floods.....this is insanity...)

Quoting from the great navy admiral David Glasgow Farragut in the battle of Mobile Bay, "Dam_n the torpedoes, full speed ahead".

Edited March 18, 2013 by Pimay1

[Nickymaster]

Another spokesperson for the "people".

Same as with the red shirt leaders, "people don't accept this and don't accept that". Whatever suits their personal agenda. They know it all...!

Pffff, I get so tired of these guys.

Edited March 18, 2013 by Nickymaster

[chiangmaikelly]

Who is loaning the money?

[HUAHIN62]

Part of the B 2,2 t will be for flood prevention (B 350 bn). K water (the Korean state owned company) is seen as the front runner to get most of the flood prevention projects.

The HST system haven't been awarded yet, last time I saw info on this the Chinese , Japanese and Germans will be in the running to submit proposals. The moving stock must be manufactored in Thailand which could be a problem with the Germans, so I think it will be between the Japanese and Chinese. The HST will be aimed at goods transport to take pressure of the roads. Road repair and construction continues under the normal budget. The main reasons for road deaths in Thailand is high speed, drunken driving, not using helmets, not using seat belts and lack of driving skills not road conditions.

[kennedy]

Part of the B 2,2 t will be for flood prevention (B 350 bn). K water (the Korean state owned company) is seen as the front runner to get most of the flood prevention projects.

The HST system haven't beSpokenen awarded yet, last time I saw info on this the Chinese , Japanese and Germans will be in the running to submit proposals. The moving stock must be manufactored in Thailand which could be a problem with the Germans, so I think it will be between the Japanese and Chinese. The HST will be aimed at goods transport to take pressure of the roads. Road repair and construction continues under the normal budget. The main reasons for road deaths in Thailand is high speed, drunken driving, not using helmets, not using seat belts and lack of driving skills not road conditions.

Spoken like a true politician

[khunken]

This 91% wasn't a poll by Siam Dusit by any chance?

What an infantile comment. Were Thais asked about sorting out the existing rail network before the high-falutin' trains? Have they carried out a proper feasibility study on potential passenger numbers, costs, revenues, IRR? I certainly haven't seen anything other than B2.2 Tn in borrowing, no details of where it's coming from, and of course the lunch boxes.

If this is allowed to be properly debated in parliament I'll be very surprised.

[rubl]

Transport Minister Chadchart Sittipunt cited a survey result in suggesting that 91% of the people, who had been to the "Thailand 2020" exhibition on the government's infrastructure investment plans, wanted all the projects to go ahead.

Was this exhibition open to the normal public or only trade related people and invitees? Anyway I'm surprised only 91% wanted all to go ahead

[belg]

why not start to build a new capital, far away from flood zones, far away from the sea ... with correct infrastructure, banning cars, big tall buildings with shopping malls on the bottom and interconnected by a green transport method ... 2.2 trillion baht could be a nice start

Edited March 18, 2013 by belg

[chainarong]

Who is loaning the money?

I believe some dubious person in Dubai , can't believe this will even get off the ground CMK', but we have a lot of fun addressing the issues for them, hey.

[ginjag]

Who is loaning the money?

Is it the IMF ?? Last night on Television IN channel they spoke at legnth on the subject, I was shocked when they said it will be paid back over a period of 50 YEARS, and how much interest.

Now the thread said most Thai welcomed the sceme---They don't care about PAY BACK, most Thais think this way and what do they care all of them will be dead and buried by the time it's paid.

How much do they still owe the IMF from before.???

[reiltin]

Let them build as many HST systems as they want..be thankful less money for Deputy Plodprasob Nuclear reactor...gives ya that warm feeling inside don't it!

[Mosha]

The majority? How many did he ask, 1561?

[khaowong1]

Like one poster on here said, better they concentrate on this high speed train thingy than a nuclear reactor.

[sscsamui]

What a pile os BS

[chiangmaikelly]

What a pile os BS

Not saying you are wrong but some would wonder exactly what you meant? Are you referring to Rubi's last post?

[rubl]

"an overwhelming majority of people support the state-initiated infrastructure mega-projects, after they have seen the government's presentation"

A poll result from asking people who come explicitly to the "Thailand 2020" exhibition which is a showcase of the government's plan to invest 2.2 trillion baht in various infrastructure projects, what they think of it.

A surprise that 'only' 91% liked it. So therefor again the question. Was this exhibition open to the normal public or only trade related people and invitees?

[chiangmaikelly]

Like one poster on here said, better they concentrate on this high speed train thingy than a nuclear reactor.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eschede_train_disaster

Edited March 19, 2013 by chiangmaikelly

[Buchholz]

Who is loaning the money?

Is it the IMF ?? Last night on Television IN channel they spoke at legnth on the subject, I was shocked when they said it will be paid back over a period of 50 YEARS, and how much interest.

Now the thread said most Thai welcomed the sceme---They don't care about PAY BACK, most Thais think this way and what do they care all of them will be dead and buried by the time it's paid.

.

This afternoon, it was reported after the Cabinet vote that most of it will be from domestic banks... which, when the government defaults on the loans, won't be such a big deal. Like before, they can just write the bad loans off and let the taxpayers pick up the tab for it. Yingluck notes that such trivial matters like the loan conditions will be decided upon at some future date....

the Cabinet Tuesday approved a bill to obtain a 2 trillion loan to implement large-scale transportation Infrastructure constructions, with most details of the projects remaining unchanged.

Most of the loans would be obtained from domestic sources and the Finance Ministry would work out on loan conditions in details, said Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra. She did not give the number of the portion of the loans between those from domestic and foreign sources.

.

Edited March 19, 2013 by Buchholz

[dcutman]

Who is loaning the money?

Is it the IMF ?? Last night on Television IN channel they spoke at legnth on the subject, I was shocked when they said it will be paid back over a period of 50 YEARS, and how much interest.

Now the thread said most Thai welcomed the sceme---They don't care about PAY BACK, most Thais think this way and what do they care all of them will be dead and buried by the time it's paid.

.

This afternoon, it was reported after the Cabinet vote that most of it will be from domestic banks... which, when the government defaults on the loans, won't be such a big deal. Like before, they can just write the bad loans off and let the taxpayers pick up the tab for it. Yingluck notes that such trivial matters like the loan conditions will be decided upon at some future date....

the Cabinet Tuesday approved a bill to obtain a 2 trillion loan to implement large-scale transportation Infrastructure constructions, with most details of the projects remaining unchanged.

Most of the loans would be obtained from domestic sources and the Finance Ministry would work out on loan conditions in details, said Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra. She did not give the number of the portion of the loans between those from domestic and foreign sources.

.

Well its a safe bet that the BAAC will not be contributing.

It appears, after a recent change in leadership, krung Thai Bank has volunteered to donate fund a large portion of this 2+ trillion baht to this scam project.

Edited March 19, 2013 by dcutman

[waza]

Who is loaning the money?

Good question, Who?

[waza]

Who is loaning the money?

Is it the IMF ?? Last night on Television IN channel they spoke at legnth on the subject, I was shocked when they said it will be paid back over a period of 50 YEARS, and how much interest.

Now the thread said most Thai welcomed the sceme---They don't care about PAY BACK, most Thais think this way and what do they care all of them will be dead and buried by the time it's paid.

.

This afternoon, it was reported after the Cabinet vote that most of it will be from domestic banks... which, when the government defaults on the loans, won't be such a big deal. Like before, they can just write the bad loans off and let the taxpayers pick up the tab for it. Yingluck notes that such trivial matters like the loan conditions will be decided upon at some future date....

the Cabinet Tuesday approved a bill to obtain a 2 trillion loan to implement large-scale transportation Infrastructure constructions, with most details of the projects remaining unchanged.

Most of the loans would be obtained from domestic sources and the Finance Ministry would work out on loan conditions in details, said Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra. She did not give the number of the portion of the loans between those from domestic and foreign sources.

.

Is that the bank that owes Bt1 trillion...........

"The cabinet yesterday decided to transfer responsibility for 1.14 trillion baht in outstanding debt from the 1997 economic crisis to the central bank, paving the way for the government to take out hundreds of billions of baht in new loans to fund new investment programmes."

Or the BAAC........

it was reported that even BAAC executives disagreed with the scheme. The BAAC has only Bt20 billion of cash flow left - and the state-run bank has to spend money to finance other projects. Proposals were made to reduce the rice-pledging price to make it more realistic.