If Trump is re-elected what does it say about the I.Q of the average American?

[webfact]

DUAL-TRACK RAILWAY SYSTEM
Sino-Thai rail project shown the green light
The Nation

Cost of collaboration still unknown, but minister vows adjacent land off limits to China

BANGKOK: -- The National Legislative Assembly (NLA) yesterday approved a draft memorandum of understanding to be signed with China for the development of a dual-track railway system, with the guarantee that China will not be allowed to use the land along the railway.

Transport Minister Prajin Juntong sought approval for the MoU with China to build a double-track standard-gauge railway covering the 734-kilometre route linking Nong Khai, Khaeng Koi and Map Ta Phut and the 133km Khaeng Koi-Bangkok route. The cost of the project has not yet been evaluated.

The deal on the railway project was made last month when Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha visited China to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit.

The junta had mapped out a strategic plan for land transport in July, and Deputy PM Prawit Wongsuwan together with Deputy Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai and junta adviser Somkid Jatusripitak visited China in October to pave the way for this deal. The interim Constitution's Article 23 says NLA approval is required for any agreement with a foreign country that might have implications on economic development.

The NLA endorsed the MoU draft with 187 votes, while seven abstained.

The MoU will be effective for five years after being signed, indicating that China will be responsible for construction and will develop the railway project. China will also conduct a feasibility study and prepare the project, Prajin said. The government wants the construction to begin by 2016, he said.

Join task force

Under the MoU, Thailand and China will jointly set up a task force to implement the agreements for the project. The Transport Ministry will be in charge of the project on the Thai side, while the Chinese National Development and Reform Council will represent the Chinese side, he said.

NLA members voiced their support for the project and the MoU, which they said would benefit both countries and speed up the progress for infrastructure development in Thailand.

NLA member Somboon Ngamlak said Thailand desperately needed an advanced rail system that is safe and reduces the cost of logistics.

He said logistics costs in Thailand were higher than those of other countries in the region, noting that Singapore's logistics cost was only 8 per cent of gross domestic product, and Malaysia's 13 per cent, but Thailand's was as high as 15 per cent of GDP.

"We cannot compete with other Asean countries," he said.

Though most NLA members only saw positive aspects of the project, Paisan Sitabutr asked how this project would affect people; how the private sector would participate; how such an expensive project can be examined; and how technology transfer would take place.

Prajin said the military-led regime guaranteed that the project would not have any long-term negative effects on people.

"I insist that we don't give China the right to utilise land along the railway," he said.

Right of land usage is worrisome, as many rail-investment projects proposed by Chinese investors in the region failed to materialise after Beijing demanded usage rights to too much land in relation to investment.

The MoU, which should be signed soon after the NLA approves it, does not provide details about the investment and financial arrangements for the project. Prajin said the Finance Ministry was considering the financial side and would make a decision later on whether the project could be a joint venture in accordance with Thai laws.

Deputy foreign minister Don said the MoU would be signed with China late this month.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/business/Sino-Thai-rail-project-shown-the-green-light-30249198.html


-- The Nation 2014-12-05

[NongKhaiKid]

One of my dear old mum's favourite sayings comes to mind over this,

" marry in haste and repent at leisure ".

Pointless to warn LoS to be careful as there's probably a lot at stake for some and I don't just mean the construction of a rail link.

[BSJ]

"Prajin said the military-led regime guaranteed that the project would not have any long-term negative effects on people." That's apart from the financial chain's that will ind the Thai people for the next 100 years!

Halfway through the 60 year loan they will have to invest heavily in new locomotives, rolling stock, rail, sleepers, signalling.....and then guess what? That will have to do it all again at year 60!

[canopus1969]

Cost of collaboration still unknown

Says it all

[wabothai]

Again, not a word about Laos.very strange.

[whybother]

Again, not a word about Laos.very strange.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/business/Laos-China-rail-link-prospects-increase-30241575.html

[whybother]

Cost of collaboration still unknown

Says it all

Given that it's an MOU, they don't know the associated costs for anything yet.

[Ulic]

This project will be the true test of the current government. What is the cost of this deal? Will there be transparency? or will it be another

feeding frenzy at the trough of large scale infrastructure spending? Only time will tell.

[Estrada]

Hardly a green light, a Memorandum of Understanding places no commitment on the either party to go ahead. I have seen many companies go ahead with manufacture and construction based on an M.O.U., only to recieve a letter saying that the client had placed the order elsewhere or no longer wanted to proceed with the project. I always say that an order is not an order until the last of the money is in the bank.

[ratcatcher]

Again, not a word about Laos.very strange.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/business/Laos-China-rail-link-prospects-increase-30241575.html

Malaysia - Singapore too.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuala_Lumpur%E2%80%93Singapore_High_Speed_Rail

[webfact]

NLA approves Thailnd-China MOU on infrastructure development

BANGKOK, 5 Dec 2014 (NNT) – The National Legislative Assembly (NLA) has approved the proposed government-to-government cooperation in the infrastructure development project between Thailand and China.

NLA members cast 187 votes in favor of the construction of dual track railways using standard gauge. Other 7 NLA members opted for abstention. Transport Minister Prachin Chantong disclosed the two routes given the green light by the NLA were namely the 734-kilometer Nong Khai- Khorat- Kaeng Khoi- Map Ta Phut route, and the 133-kilometer Kaeng Khoi-Bangkok route.

After the MOU has been ratified, a joint committee will be set up to oversee the project. A survey of the two routes is likely to begin during January - February in 2015. Minister Prachin said the project would solve problems concerning the existing rail transport system, such as the lack safety, and poor services, and would also help boost the country’s economy, since it would develop connectivity between Thailand and ASEAN nations.

Air Chief Marshal Prachin confirmed the government would do its best to protect Thai people’s benefit, adding China would not be allowed to exploit the land surrounding the routes.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Don Pramudwinai, meanwhile, revealed the two nations were expected to sign the MOU during December 19th and 23rd. China will later send a team to study the feasibility of the project.


-- NNT 2014-12-05