P M Promises Revival Of Cambodia Rail Link

[Lite Beer]

PM promises revival of Cambodia rail link
The Nation on Sunday

SA KAEW: An unused railway line connecting Sa Kaew's Aranyaprathet to Cambodia's Poi Pet may be revived and developed as part of a high-speed train project that will connect Thailand with other Asean countries, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said yesterday.

During the roaming Cabinet in the eastern provinces, Yingluck said Sa Kaew province has business potential and the government has included the province in the Bt2.2-trillion infrastructure development plan, which includes railways to connect Cambodia to cater to business growth in the region.

The six-kilometre section has not been maintained for years, making rail travel to and from Cambodia impossible. The link is part of the 10 Asean countries' plan to build a regional railway network to connect with China.

During her visit to Klong Luek checkpoint in Aranyaprathet district, Yingluck instructed officials to overhaul the immigration and customs system to reduce service time by up to two hours.

The prime minister said she also supported the opening of the Ban Nong Ean checkpoint in Aranyaprathet to connect with Ban Stung Bot in Banteay Meanchey province of Cambodia. However, she stressed that first the area must be confirmed as safe from landmines. She said if the Bt2.2-trillion loan is approved, the province could have automatic immigration channels that could cater to thousands of tourists passing through the border daily. Sa Kaew province has requested Bt37 million to upgrade the immigration system.

Yingluck praised the eastern border province of Sa Kaew for its clear development strategy by aiming to make the province a Green Energy City and Border Trade and Logistics Centre City.

Yingluck was speaking to Sa Kaew Governor Pakkathorn Thianchai and provincial officials during the roaming Cabinet meeting yesterday in Sa Kaew.

Pakkathorn has requested the Cabinet for funds to implement the following projects in order to implement the strategy: Bt59 million to build an energy plant distribution centre; Bt25 million to construct a central market in Wang Somboon district; Bt17 million to promote agriculture with "energy" plants such as tapioca.

Yingluck suggested that the province implement agricultural zoning to solve the water shortage.

The PM travelled on to Prachin Buri to visit Chaophya Abhaibhubejhr Hospital, known for its Thai traditional medicine production that meets Good Manufacturing Practice standards.

During the Cabinet meeting today in Chachoengsao, nine groups of protesters and supporters of the government will rally to air their grievances and show their support. Supporters include red shirts from eastern provinces, while protesters include those who oppose the Khao Hin Son power plant, those who oppose the expansion of Laem Chabang Port in Chon Buri, those who have not received compensation after the 2011 flooding, and farmers who have not received money from millers in the rice pledging scheme.

-- The Nation 2013-03-31

[Judo Chop]

Look like she's saying "talk to the hand".

[notmyself]

Promises, promises, promises. Still, makes a change from vow.

[ratcatcher]

"Build it and they will come."

[jonclark]

Wonder how many casions the shinawatras have on the Cambodian side?

[DP25]

This is some truly innovative thinking from PTP. With a Cambodian high speed rail route, they will be able to launder Cambodian rice through the Thai rice subsidy scheme faster than ever before.

[hellodolly]

Interesting not a word about a rail link in Klong Luek

Then all of a sudden she announces it of course she is there suck holing up support.

Now it is going to be a high speed one.

sounds like sure thing to me a Shinawarta on each side of the border.

[chainarong]

Clickety Clack , Boom Boom.

[OZEMADE]

She is a good girl looking after the Country People and not so much the Bangkok elite, who will benefit from the country link in any case. Good to see some cash going to the provinces.

[slapout]

Nine groups of protesters and supporter, Red shirts/supporters the other 8 groups are protesters?????

this governments following is consistently being erroded away due to their own attitude of "we do it my way or you hit the highway" as well as the PPP which seems to be a major part of their lack of business/political, education.

So far we have seen a consistent government plan, budget massive amounts of money, skim 30 to 40% off of these projects, borrow/transfer more for additional scams, keep the home fire fueled with projected pardons for all the henchmen/leaders, throw scraps to potential voters to get/maintain enough votes to keep the coalation.in power with little regard for the country.

[whybother]

She is a good girl looking after the Country People and not so much the Bangkok elite, who will benefit from the country link in any case. Good to see some cash going to the provinces.

How is she looking after the country people if the "Bangkok elite" will benefit from the link? Besides that, have you seen any plan for a high speed line to go through the area?

[Judo Chop]

She is a good girl looking after the Country People and not so much the Bangkok elite, who will benefit from the country link in any case. Good to see some cash going to the provinces.

How is she looking after the country people if the "Bangkok elite" will benefit from the link?

We all benefit from a bit of humour. More so on Sunday's.

[pinball]

Well I think she should just keep her CAKE HOLE SHUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[OzMick]

Is there no limit to this stupidity? the reason the link hasn't been used is because there is nothing to link - the Cambodian metre gauge tracks have been out of use for years, and while there are plans to refurbish the line AFAIK it is far from complete.

[hellodolly]

She is a good girl looking after the Country People and not so much the Bangkok elite, who will benefit from the country link in any case. Good to see some cash going to the provinces.

You think. Not a word of it until she got there and said it was part of the 2.2 trillion baht plan. The plan has been around long enough to have it known with out waiting for her to have another Photo Op and try to drum up support for the Misguided scheme.

[hellodolly]

Is there no limit to this stupidity? the reason the link hasn't been used is because there is nothing to link - the Cambodian metre gauge tracks have been out of use for years, and while there are plans to refurbish the line AFAIK it is far from complete.

That is where Thaksin comes in to make money on the Cambodian side. People tend to forget that Cambodia is even more corrupt than Thailand.

[soi41]

So "the missing link" has been found in the Thai/Cambodian borderarea. Why am I not surprised??

[IMA_FARANG]

farmers who have not received money from millers in the rice pledging scheme.

--------------------

Say WHAT?

I thought that project was one of the Great Achievements of the current government?

[otherstuff1957]

So, are the restoring the old section of track that has not been used since the 70s or are they building a whole new high-speed rail system?

Or does Yingluck even know the difference between the two?

[Gettingaround]

Is there no limit to this stupidity? the reason the link hasn't been used is because there is nothing to link - the Cambodian metre gauge tracks have been out of use for years, and while there are plans to refurbish the line AFAIK it is far from complete.

That is where Thaksin comes in to make money on the Cambodian side. People tend to forget that Cambodia is even more corrupt than Thailand.

And if Cambodia change gauge it'll screw the line that they have just reopened from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville. And everyone's waiting for the truck mafia to sabotage it. What's the truck mafia like in Thailand? Trainspotters? It ain't going to happen in Thailand and it ain't going to happen in Cambodia.

[TheGhostWithin]

Is there no limit to this stupidity? the reason the link hasn't been used is because there is nothing to link - the Cambodian metre gauge tracks have been out of use for years, and while there are plans to refurbish the line AFAIK it is far from complete.

Mick, I am in close contact with the Cambodian side. They have already comissioned the Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville link, which gives them access from the inland capital to the coast. It is a slow beginning but they seem to be on the right path.

I will be going over to take a look at Christmas, and hope to meet with some of the Aussies and Cambodians in the picture there.

Thailand has a very closed railway, not willing to let foreigners in. It is basically structured as a closed system with an over inflated pension system.

Thailand will go for this because it will be a short term gain for the Kingdom, but with Cambodia open to working alongside and with foreign countries and being open to suggestions on making the system efficient and viable, it is unlikely the Thai gains would continue.

I read a lot of negativity about Cambodia, some of it may even be true... but they are on track to do more with less in comparison to the royal Thai Railway.

[marinediscoking]

It boggles my mind why so many posters are against this idea. Sounds like paranoid and stone-age thinking.I know many cambodian migrant workers who would benifit from this. They depend on using the mini vans mostly traveling back and forth and the only thing more dangerous than a thia minivan is a cambodian minivan.

Of course some rich contractors might make money on this as they do all over the world, but it will also create jobs and I for one would also use the railway.

[Almera]

the government has included the province in the Bt2.2-trillion infrastructure development plan

The transport minister will have to buy a bigger house in order to store the plastic bags.

[mrdome]

I'd love for the BKK - Aranyapratet train to at least run all the way to the border, although the moto drivers would just hate this.

[Thai at Heart]

I'd love for the BKK - Aranyapratet train to at least run all the way to the border, although the moto drivers would just hate this.

Hey, the truck mafia just love the idea of commodities going by rail.

[rubl]

She said if the Bt2.2-trillion loan is approved, the province could have automatic immigration channels that could cater to thousands of tourists passing through the border daily. Sa Kaew province has requested Bt37 million to upgrade the immigration system.

"if ... could". A loan followed by automatic immigration channels for thousands of tourists? Oh boy, that's nice. Now we only have to wonder what to do with the remaining 2,199,998,000,000 trillion Baht

[Ricardo]

yls.jpg

The P.M. models for a "Socialist Hero of the People" statue, singing "The North-East Is Red", before retiring to the local OTOP shopping-mall, Yay !

After instructing Customs and Immigration officials "to reduce service time by up to two hours", dynamic strides forward, under the Glorious Red Banner !

[Rinrada]

Remember the time that you could get the front carriage of the old PP-Aranya Trains and travel for free.

Only problem was that the said unit was hitched up in front of the main engine and was the first point location for the NADK/KR to practice their mortars accuracy....dodgy but at least free....if

[OZEMADE]

I'd love for the BKK - Aranyapratet train to at least run all the way to the border, although the moto drivers would just hate this.

It would be great for the Visa runners and the casino Gamblers. But not good for the ratbag mini and coach bus drivers and good riddance to them.

[A Member]

Wonder how many casions the shinawatras have on the Cambodian side?

Also useful for escaping justice