Thai PM to visit China later this month
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Dec 9 -- Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and his entourage will visit China late this month, during which a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on construction of dual-track railway routes in Thailand is expected to be signed.

Yongyuth Mayalarp, government spokesperson, told reporters Tuesday that PM Prayut will officially visit China December 22-23 at the invitation of the Chinese leader.

During the Gen Prayuth's two-day visit, the agreement is expected to be signed by Transport Minister Prajin Juntong and the president of China's National Development and Reform Commission.

The MoU will pave the way for China to help build standard gauge dual-track railways on the 734-kilometer Nong Khai-Korat-Kaeng Khoi-Map Ta Phut Port route and the 133-kilometer Kaeng Khoi-Bangkok route.

The dual-track railways are part of Thailand’s infrastructure development plan for 2015 and 2022.

After the MOU is signed, a joint Thai-Chinese panel will be set up, with China sending in a team to Thailand to conduct a feasibility study for the project.

Construction of the dual-track railways is expected to begin in 2016. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2014-12-09

There will be many news stories with the phrase "understands" coming out of this visit.

However, in this case, since China also has a repressive regime, they will actually be true!

Cosying up to the Auld masters eh.

A project well overdue.

I hope Thailand negotiates a good deal with China.

But I have trust to the man and he will.

I hope I don't hear again about all that nonsense about high speed trains.

Chinese made trash. Should go with the Japanese. I will not be getting on any tofu train. This is a mistake.

Chinese made trash. Should go with the Japanese. I will not be getting on any tofu train. This is a mistake.

The Chinese have already built a vast amount of railway track across China, and the trains there do actually work.

Why be so anti-Chinese ? Why cheer on Japan ? Remember, Britain and America fought World War Two AGAINST Japan. And Britain and America were allied to China in that war.

In war and peace, realise who the real friends are.

What happended to competitive bid for the contract.... I wonder how much money will be transferred to certain individuals....

Good, while hes away I beg and hope the army stage a coup and install a new PM who is more chilled out, less strict and less robotic. Please! This Prayuth is as charming as a doberman pincher. No offence meant just observation, if not hope the Chinese can help chill this guy out, maybe a night out with the lads is all he needs. Just a surgestion.

Chinese made trash. Should go with the Japanese. I will not be getting on any tofu train. This is a mistake.

The Chinese have already built a vast amount of railway track across China, and the trains there do actually work.

Why be so anti-Chinese ? Why cheer on Japan ? Remember, Britain and America fought World War Two AGAINST Japan. And Britain and America were allied to China in that war.

In war and peace, realise who the real friends are.

World War II was almost 70 years ago! Why are you still fighting it? Right now. Today. The Chinese are making buildings that fall over, bridges that collapse, and trains that don't work. They are corrupt and inept. The Japanese are efficient and quality oriented.

Now he has read the Burmese playbook, he's off to China to learn a few of their moves.

Chinese made trash. Should go with the Japanese. I will not be getting on any tofu train. This is a mistake.

Really ? Have you ever been to China ? Have you ever taken a high speed train in China ? It is affordable and convenient and is about 70 years ahead of the State Railway of Thailand.

Japanese involvement would be nice, but they are not in a position to offer anything other than technology.

The Chinese are making buildings that fall over, bridges that collapse, and trains that don't work. They are corrupt and inept. The Japanese are efficient and quality oriented.

Yes, China has had and has quality problems, but they are small in comparison to its achievements. The Japanese should have started earlier of they wanted to be involved. The Chinese have significant trade with Thailand. This railway will just enhance that.

Maybe he can pick up a few tips on how to do a proper crackdown on democratic tendencies?

Chinese made trash. Should go with the Japanese. I will not be getting on any tofu train. This is a mistake.

Spoken like someone who has never been on a train in China.

Edited December 10, 201411 yr by doggie888888

Checking in with the big boss....

Good, while hes away I beg and hope the army stage a coup and install a new PM who is more chilled out, less strict and less robotic. Please! This Prayuth is as charming as a doberman pincher. No offence meant just observation, if not hope the Chinese can help chill this guy out, maybe a night out with the lads is all he needs. Just a surgestion.

"Chilled out" and "military" somehow sound contrary...

Chinese made trash. Should go with the Japanese. I will not be getting on any tofu train. This is a mistake.

Really ? Have you ever been to China ? Have you ever taken a high speed train in China ? It is affordable and convenient and is about 70 years ahead of the State Railway of Thailand.

Japanese involvement would be nice, but they are not in a position to offer anything other than technology.

Its Siemens that provided the technology and has nothing to do with China. The BTS is too Siemens with electronics from AEG and the same technolgy is used in Singapore and part of the Monorail in Kuala Lumpur.

 

The Chinese are making buildings that fall over, bridges that collapse, and trains that don't work. They are corrupt and inept. The Japanese are efficient and quality oriented.

Yes, China has had and has quality problems, but they are small in comparison to its achievements. The Japanese should have started earlier of they wanted to be involved. The Chinese have significant trade with Thailand. This railway will just enhance that.

 

people can complain all they want but eventually the big businesses still choose to set up in china.

 

The Chinese are making buildings that fall over, bridges that collapse, and trains that don't work. They are corrupt and inept. The Japanese are efficient and quality oriented.

Yes, China has had and has quality problems, but they are small in comparison to its achievements. The Japanese should have started earlier of they wanted to be involved. The Chinese have significant trade with Thailand. This railway will just enhance that.

 

people can complain all they want but eventually the big businesses still choose to set up in china.

And why Chinese ? Why not Japanese ? Probably because China can do it cheaper !

Indeed, why not German ? Why not America ? Again, because China will do it cheaper ! And yes, off-course, it enhances trade between China and Thailand. Why would countries like Japan, Germany, USA, why would they build a railway line that enhances trade between China and Thailand ?

The future is bright, the future is yellow, the future is China.

While the double track rail between Thailand and China makes sense from a trade viewpoint, it does not make sense that the Chinese will finance the WHOLE RAIL LINE from Thailand's perspective.

Thailand needs to be making infrastructure improvements through issuance of Thai treasury bonds. With low national debt the Thai economy can bear the additional debt. It does not help the Thai economy to borrow 80% of the funds from the Chinese government and in turn pay the Chinese to design and build the project. It DOES help the Chinese economy by providing an international oultet for its restrictive yuan at an inflated exchange rate. All Thailand gets out of the deal is return on operating the lines but it must make continuous equipment replacements to maintain the life of the lines.

Thailand should make a deal where it at least will build the rail lines in Thailand with full Thai financial support.

While the double track rail between Thailand and China makes sense from a trade viewpoint, it does not make sense that the Chinese will finance the WHOLE RAIL LINE from Thailand's perspective.

Thailand needs to be making infrastructure improvements through issuance of Thai treasury bonds. With low national debt the Thai economy can bear the additional debt. It does not help the Thai economy to borrow 80% of the funds from the Chinese government and in turn pay the Chinese to design and build the project. It DOES help the Chinese economy by providing an international oultet for its restrictive yuan at an inflated exchange rate. All Thailand gets out of the deal is return on operating the lines but it must make continuous equipment replacements to maintain the life of the lines.

Thailand should make a deal where it at least will build the rail lines in Thailand with full Thai financial support.

You might be right. The junta are surely capable of striking a good deal for Thailand. And if China is not offering the best deal, yes, invite other countries to apply for the contract.