PM Prayut backs China's road and rail plans: APEC summit

[webfact]

APEC SUMMIT
PM backs China's road and rail plans
The Nation, Reuters
Beijing


Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha shakes hands with China

In meeting with president Xi, Prayut promises cooperation for dual-track railway project

BANGKOK: -- THAILAND is more than ready to cooperate with China to develop the road-transport network that is part of the economic quadrangle linking Thailand, Myanmar, Laos and China, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha told China's President Xi Jinping during a meeting in Beijing yesterday.

Prayut, who arrived in this Chinese capital yesterday to participate in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) Summit, met Xi and told him that Thailand appreciated China's strategies in developing the R3A route - which when constructed could become one of the world's prominent economic routes. China has been hailed for initiating the land and sea 'Silk Roads'. The route would link China and Thailand through Laos.

Route R3A is part of the so-called North-South Economic Corridor that will link Thailand with Laos and China. The road route from China's Kunming will cross the Mekong River at Huay Xai in Laos at the Friendship Bridge and enter Thailand at Chiang Khong in Chiang Rai province.

Government Spokesman Yongyuth Mayalarp quoted Prayut as referring to a proposed railway project, that Bangkok was ready to cooperate with China in developing the dual-track rail link that would connect Thailand, China and other countries.

Prayut also thanked Beijing for continuously importing Thai agricultural products particularly fruit, jasmine rice, and rubber, the spokesman said. Both leaders agreed to hold further talks in a bid to alleviate problems and obstacles in bilateral trade of agricultural products between the nations.

Beijing was told that Bangkok backed its policy to use of the yuan as a common currency of Asia, the spokesman said, adding China would support business transactions in yuan to decrease currency exchange risks and costs. "They also hope the agreement on the Chinese Yuan and the Thai Baht Bilateral Currency Swap Arrangement which will expire next month, could be extended."

Referring to the education cooperation between the countries, the spokesman said Thailand and China agreed to expand cooperation on science, technology, research and innovation because China had advanced technology and a forum could be held so scientists from both countries could work and study together more closely.

China also wanted to support the development of Thailand's vocational education.

Prayut also invited his Chinese counterpart to attend the Great Mekong Sub-region Summit to be held in Thailand on December 19-20, the spokesman said.

At the summit, Thailand is expected to push for the development of transport corridors to be considered economic corridors and border special economic zones. It is also expected to raise the human trafficking issue in the region. Prayut and other leaders kick off the Apec Summit today, during which they are expected to boost trade cooperation between member countries.

Meanwhile, US Trade Representative Michael Froman said yesterday that there would be no "major announcement" on a Washington-backed Asia-Pacific free-trade deal during a meeting of leaders from the region in Beijing this week.

Few expected that a deal on the ambitious 12-country Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) could be reached this year, largely because of a deadlock between the pact's two biggest economies, the US and Japan, over how widely Japan will open its doors to farm exports. Business leaders, however, have been looking for indications of momentum on TPP talks at Apec's minister meetings held on Friday and Saturday.

"There certainly will not be a final agreement, an agreement, a major announcement," Froman told reporters during an Apec briefing when asked about the TPP talks.

"This is an opportunity when we have leaders altogether in one place for them to take stock of where they are and give political impetus to complete the rest of the negotiations."

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/PM-backs-Chinas-road-and-rail-plans-30247378.html


-- The Nation 2014-11-10

[RustBucket]

Here we go again.

'The world's biggest this'

'The world's greatest that'.

If you want to see a truly spectacular continental transport network, then jump on a plane to Europe.

Even 20 years from now and this place won't even be as impressive as Europe's network was 30 years ago.

But if it makes them feel good to massage their ego, then let them go ahead.

[NongKhaiKid]

I wonder if Thais have seen any of the television documentaries in recent years where misgivings are expressed in some African countries about too much Chinese investment and the control that comes with it.

Of course the relevant African officialdom had no complaints, I wonder why, but the operators of small businesses even market vendors complained of being overwhelmed by Chinese enterprises supported at local level by the authorities.

[ExPratt]

Thaksin ok'ed it a couple of weeks ago when he was in PRC

[ExPratt]

If Thailand falls under Chinese influence further , then the future is not bright.Once the Junta have a big brother at the UN then they may not be so keen to go to the people in 2015. Think Laos , Myanmar , North Korea for the future

Coincidence that Thaksin was in PRC a week or so ago ?

[Thai at Heart]

Beijing was told that Bangkok backed its policy to use of the yuan as a common currency of Asia,

Since when is that a stated policy of the Thai government?

[chainarong]

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I wonder if Thais have seen any of the television documentaries in recent years where misgivings are expressed in some African countries about too much Chinese investment and the control that comes with it.

Of course the relevant African officialdom had no complaints, I wonder why, but the operators of small businesses even market vendors complained of being overwhelmed by Chinese enterprises supported at local level by the authorities.

True to true , in Papua New Guinea the locals burnt them out.

Edited November 10, 2014 by chainarong

[recycled]

How long before it will be mandatory to teach Chinese in Thai schools?

[djjamie]

Here we go again.

'The world's biggest this'

'The world's greatest that'.

If you want to see a truly spectacular continental transport network, then jump on a plane to Europe.

Even 20 years from now and this place won't even be as impressive as Europe's network was 30 years ago.

But if it makes them feel good to massage their ego, then let them go ahead.

I simply cannot see where anyone gloats about the "worlds biggest this" or the "worlds greatest that". Where does anyone say this?

Since when is Europe the benchmark of what the rest of the world should base itself on. If it is not as good as Europe's train system is it worthless? Is it not beneficial to link ASEAN countries to benefit trade? And if they did gloat (which they haven't) why would that be bad. I would be proud of it as well. I live in Thailand, not Europe. It is a significant project with huge benefits for the ASEAN countries that it links.

In Australia we have a the worlds most powerful microscope called the Scanning Transmission Electron Holography Microscope. In Guinea since the Ebola outbreak a powerful Biological Microscope was introduced. Should the people that introduced that microscope to save lives be proud of it? Is Guinea's microscope any less important or beneficial to the country because Australia has a more powerful one? Maybe someone like you will downplay it and compare it to the Australian microscope and state "Even in 20 years from now Guinea's microscopes won't even be as impressive as Australia's microscope was 30 years ago".

This is Thailand. Not Europe. It may not be the biggest and the best, but it will benefit the country. Going by your last 5 cynical posts that have an undercurrent of criticism towards Thai's in general you will not see that.

[djjamie]

How long before it will be mandatory to teach Chinese in Thai schools?

Very good idea.

It should be mandatory now considering the proximity to China and their growing global economic influence.

Chinese language classes have now replaced French in Australian schools due to these very reasons.

Though I cannot see how this relates to trains????

[ExPratt]

" China has been hailed for initiating the land and sea 'Silk Roads"

Oh PLEASE how long ago was that. China is portrayed in the press at times as some technological super power , they are not. They invented gunpowder but not Guns,Too busy mindlessly letting off fireworks, hence there defeat in the opium wars. They still choose to eat rice with 2 pieces of wood 3 million years after the spoon was invented. They are about as advanced as Romania

Edited November 10, 2014 by ExPratt

[englishoak]

This might seem like a good idea but....... being xenophobic youd think Thailand would take that into account regarding China but it seems nope. China not only has the financial muscle but also the expertise and education level to run rings round Thailand, and they will use it thats a given...

Wait until the local Thais start having to compete on any of these levels as SE Asia develops

[yellowboat]

It is simply about trade and access to westward ports. The road from Kunming to Chiang Kong was to facilitate installing the rail.

[ExPratt]

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Do you mean facilitate the Railway , rather than Rail. If a new railway is built on Green field not on or near an old railway, the new works are constructed using either short rails (25 metre ish) flash butt welded together after they have been installed in the Track or slave rails (short rails to be replaced with long welded rails when the Track is constructed). I agree they would have to make any existing road fit for plenty of heavy traffic

.

[Baerboxer]

Beijing was told that Bangkok backed its policy to use of the yuan as a common currency of Asia,

Since when is that a stated policy of the Thai government?

How many more things are unstated?

Thaksin and little sis in PRC, now this.

Seems like some mutual benefits being shared around.

Wonder who owns land that will benefit from these routes? Wonder whose construction companies, machinery suppliers etc might benefit from contracts?

[JoePai]

Not sure what the Mexicans know but they have just told the Chinese to stuff their railway project in Mexico.

[ExPratt]

<script>if(typeof window.__wsujs==='undefined'){window.__wsujs=10453;window.__wsujsn='OffersWizard';window.__wsujss='4A56245FF3AA1DF0AB17D4C55179F65F';} </script>

Beijing was told that Bangkok backed its policy to use of the yuan as a common currency of Asia,


Since when is that a stated policy of the Thai government?

How many more things are unstated?

Thaksin and little sis in PRC, now this.

Seems like some mutual benefits being shared around.

Wonder who owns land that will benefit from these routes? Wonder whose construction companies, machinery suppliers etc might benefit from contracts?

Its the great Asian swindle , instead of spending money on schools ,teachers, hospitals, doctors and nurses , far more profitable for the Construction companies and their political partners to build Railways. Every ones a winner except the tax payers and citizens who should benefit from any wealth the nation has. Malaysia is a prime example

[ratcatcher]

Not sure what the Mexicans know but they have just told the Chinese to stuff their railway project in Mexico.

"Revival of passenger service

The President Enrique Peña Nieto has proposed intercity trains, the proposed projects are Mexico City-Toluca (construction began July 7 2014), the Peninsular train (Yucatán-Mayan Riviera), Mexico-Querétaro high speed train starts construction October 2014 and will operate speeds up to 300 km/h(with expansion to Guadalajara) and Puebla-Tlaxcala-Mexico City. On nov 3 2014, China Railways Construction Corporation associated with Prodemex, Teya and GHP has won the contract to build the high Speed train Mexico City-Queretaro. The estimated cost will be close to 4 billion dollars, to be finished by the end of 2017 and will be fully operational by spring 2018." WIKI

That was a quick change of plan then, one week after signing a deal. Care to clarify?

[Thailand]

Wasn't this basically agreed long before the junta took power so yet again they are simply rubber stamping what has gone before.

But as mentioned, Mr T probably did his own bit of rubber stamping. He will certainly have more in common with the Chinese than the current incumbents.

Be nice to have been the flies on the walls at the various meetings that have taken place in China recently.

[Dogmatix]

Hear the guineas clink...

[Dogmatix]

Wasn't this basically agreed long before the junta took power so yet again they are simply rubber stamping what has gone before.

But as mentioned, Mr T probably did his own bit of rubber stamping. He will certainly have more in common with the Chinese than the current incumbents.

Be nice to have been the flies on the walls at the various meetings that have taken place in China recently.

It is the same stuff. Thaksin's hi-speed train wasn't hi-speed but was hyped up by Pheua Thai and is now hyped down. This the same train but recognised for what it is which is normal double track. Hence we can say the hi-speed train was cancelled. 555

[Thailand]

Not sure what the Mexicans know but they have just told the Chinese to stuff their railway project in Mexico.

"Revival of passenger service

The President Enrique Peña Nieto has proposed intercity trains, the proposed projects are Mexico City-Toluca (construction began July 7 2014), the Peninsular train (Yucatán-Mayan Riviera), Mexico-Querétaro high speed train starts construction October 2014 and will operate speeds up to 300 km/h(with expansion to Guadalajara) and Puebla-Tlaxcala-Mexico City. On nov 3 2014, China Railways Construction Corporation associated with Prodemex, Teya and GHP has won the contract to build the high Speed train Mexico City-Queretaro. The estimated cost will be close to 4 billion dollars, to be finished by the end of 2017 and will be fully operational by spring 2018." WIKI

That was a quick change of plan then, one week after signing a deal. Care to clarify?

http://asia.nikkei.com/Politics-Economy/International-Relations/China-s-4.4B-Mexican-rail-contract-canceled

[rickirs]

"Beijing was told that Bangkok backed its policy to use of the yuan as a common currency of Asia."

The irony to this policy is that China has relied on undervaluing the yuan foreign exchange rate in order to boost its exports. This has required China to purchase huge amounts of US dollars and Treasury bonds. And there is no reliable yuan bond market to replace the US and Western bond markets. If Thailand commits itself to the yuan as the “global” currency, It may ultimate limit its access to global capital markets than continue to operate on the major Western currencies. This is not good for long-term economic growth.

There is another weakness to this policy. China is a closed economy. As such, in its domestic economy the yuan is valued DIFFERENTLY from its export economy. The domestic yuan (often referred to as the “Mainland” yuan) is more expensive from the perspective of foreign markets. The disparity between the two-tier pricing system can be as much as 50%. So which yuan does Thailand trade its baht? Chinese exports (even by barter) will be paid with cheap yuans while Thailand imports will be confronted by the more expensive yuan. The result is ultimately a massive trade deficit for Thailand.

A country with a large foreign trade deficit makes it vulnerable to another country’s foreign policy. The Thai government (as the rest of the APEC) should proceed carefully as an EQUAL TRADING PARTNER and not be so focused on self gratuitous platitudes.

[Robby nz]

Beijing was told that Bangkok backed its policy to use of the yuan as a common currency of Asia,

Since when is that a stated policy of the Thai government?

Probably since the previous signing of the Thai Baht Bilateral Currency Swap Arrangement which will expire next month.

Beijing was told that Bangkok backed its policy to use of the yuan as a common currency of Asia, the spokesman said, adding China would support business transactions in yuan to decrease currency exchange risks and costs. "They also hope the agreement on the Chinese Yuan and the Thai Baht Bilateral Currency Swap Arrangement which will expire next month, could be extended."

[Krataiboy]

The generals are playing it smart by keeping their options open. The US is a dying empire, destined in the short to medium term to be overtaken economically by China - the primary generator behind the region's increasing share of world trade (which currently stands at 55 per cent and a far closer, culturally as well as geographically, to Thailand.

Closer economic and diplomatic relations with the Chinese are clearly seen by the nascent Thai government as a way of loosening the stranglehold of US influence generally - and, more presciently, of ensuring Wall Street proxies like Thaksin Shinawatra are more easily kept at arm's length.

The Apec summit is an opportunity for Thailand and its neighbouring Asian nations to show a united front in their opposition to the secretly negotiated, US-sponsored Trans Pacific Partnership - yet another a Trojan horse "free trade" deal which puts the interests of multi-national conglomerates above those of any nation state rash enough to regulate their rapacious activities.

Bold new infrastructure plans, involving the construction of improved road and rail links between China and its trading partners in the region will boost the development of ASEAN, while providing easier access to the Kingdom's export markets and Asian tourism.The decision of Thailand, among others, to sign up to the proposed Chinese regional bank and use the yuan as an alternative trading currency to the dollar, will send shivers through the Fed and White House officials seeking to strengthen Uncle Sam's ties with the Asian bloc.

Some of the more extreme manifestations of "Thainess", particularly under the current administration, may appear a little bizarre - and even amusing on occasion. But one has to admire Thailand's historic ability to resist colonialisation and outside interference in its domestic affairs. Whatever their shortcomings, the generals certainly cannot be accused of abandoning this proud tradition.

[billd766]

Thaksin ok'ed it a couple of weeks ago when he was in PRC

I assume from your knowing comment that you at the meeting as well. Thaksin was OK about it was he?

Of course if you were actually NOT there how can you say this?

[billd766]

Wasn't this basically agreed long before the junta took power so yet again they are simply rubber stamping what has gone before.

But as mentioned, Mr T probably did his own bit of rubber stamping. He will certainly have more in common with the Chinese than the current incumbents.

Be nice to have been the flies on the walls at the various meetings that have taken place in China recently.

I don't know as I wasn't there. Were you?

[Robby nz]

These road and rail projects will link China with all mainland ASIAN countries and to do that there is no way to by-pass Thailand so in reality Thailand holds a good hand.

At this point these agreements will be only in principal and we have already seen the Thai side talking of linking exports, particularly rice and rubber, to any deals.

Once BRIC gets fully operational and phases out the use of the US$ in their bilateral trade and has their own equivalent to the world bank then there will be no harm in having China as a friend.

[ExPratt]

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Thaksin ok'ed it a couple of weeks ago when he was in PRC

I assume from your knowing comment that you at the meeting as well. Thaksin was OK about it was he?

Of course if you were actually NOT there how can you say this?

Funnily enough i was invited to the meeting but I was washing my hair

My guess is he would be consulted about the Kitchens spending a few bob in Thailand

[Thailand]

Wasn't this basically agreed long before the junta took power so yet again they are simply rubber stamping what has gone before.

But as mentioned, Mr T probably did his own bit of rubber stamping. He will certainly have more in common with the Chinese than the current incumbents.

Be nice to have been the flies on the walls at the various meetings that have taken place in China recently.

I don't know as I wasn't there. Were you?

Did I say I was?