MoUs with China to be inked today on deals for dual-track railways, rice and rubber
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Thailand and China will today sign two memoranda of understanding in relation to the construction of dual-track railways in the Kingdom and China's purchase of Thai rice and rubber.

The Government House event will be witnessed by Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha and Premier Li Keqiang.

The first MoU is for development of two standard-gauge dual-track railways - a 734-kilometre route linking Nong Khai, Nakhon Ratchasima, Saraburi's Kaeng Khoi district and Map Ta Phut Port in Rayong, and a 133km line linking Bangkok and Kaeng Khoi.

It will be signed by Transport Minister Prajin Juntong and the director of China's National Development and Reform Council.

Construction of the railways is expected to commence in 2016, and the project is part of Thailand's transport infrastructure development plan for 2015-2022.

The second MoU, for China's purchase of Thai rice and rubber, will be signed by Commerce Minister Chatchai Sarikalya and China's agriculture minister. China has promised to buy 2 million tonnes of rice and 200,000 tonnes of rubber, Deputy Transport Minister Akom Termpitayapaisit said.

The two countries, which celebrate the 40th anniversary of their bilateral ties next year, will discuss in detail at a later date the exact amount of rice and rubber to be sold to China, according to Akom, who is also secretary-general of the National Economic and Social Development Board.

Last month, the Cabinet approved the draft MoU between Thailand and China on the development of the dual-track railways, which was proposed by the Transport Ministry.

The Cabinet at the that time also approved a proposal to set up a joint committee between the two countries to carry out the railway projects, which will be jointly chaired by Prajin and the chief of China's National Development and Reform Council.

Earlier, China agreed to lend Thailand cash to fund the construction of the railways, as part of a government-to-government agreement to extend the regional transport links. The deal was reached at a recent meeting between Prayut and Li, who had bilateral discussions during three international summits in Italy, China and Myanmar.

The Chinese premier is scheduled to arrive at Government House at 4pm today, where he will be welcomed by Prayut. The delegations from both countries will convene their meeting at 4.40pm.

After the discussion is completed, the MoUs will be signed.

Prayut will make an official visit to China on Monday and Tuesday at the invitation of the Chinese government.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/MoUs-with-China-to-be-inked-today-on-deals-for-dua-30250208.html


-- The Nation 2014-12-19

The Chinese view ?

Come Into My Parlour Said The Spider To The Fly !

200,000 tonnes of rubber is hardly news worthy. At 6000 baht a ton it's a pittance.

Should have just kept the story about the train.

"Earlier, China agreed to lend Thailand cash to fund the construction of the railways"

I can't help feeling that, since most of the economic-benefit of the high-speed freight-line to the Thai port will go to China, most of the construction ought to be funded directly by them, too.

"China has promised to buy 2 million tonnes of rice and 200,000 tonnes of rubber, Deputy Transport Minister Akom Termpitayapaisit said."

Hope that the government will feel able to share the details, such as the price to be paid & the delivery-schedule, with the rest of the country ?

"The deal was reached at a recent meeting between Prayut and Li, who had bilateral discussions during three international summits in Italy, China and Myanmar."

So much for people who believed that other countries were unwilling to meet with the current PM, because of the way he had come to power ?

The Chinese view ?

Come Into My Parlour Said The Spider To The Fly !

Yeah, but it makes sense given Chiina's proximity and wealth. The train system in China is much closer to European and Japanese systems in technology and quality of service than say the US. The SRT is shunned by middle class Thais who prefer busses. Thailand's rail system would never move forward without massive external aid.

The Prayuth transparency is up and running , if one can be allowed to be critical if this government is the strength it goes too to be wanted by all and sundry around the world , preaches about transparency then goes and does a deal Government to government behind everyone's back and portrays this as if it is the end to end all deals, the impression I get is Prayuth Is actually saying trust us we know what is good for You, well sir until you let out tender for Public comment , you are nothing more than a dictator, one has doubts that your intentions at the beginning of the Coup are the same now, now that you have settled into the top spot. Score: 0/10

Now that Thailand is deep in bed with China and completely nude and giving in, expect to see lots more

Chinese crap being bought by Thailand over the next 50 years,, a real kick back and bribes gallery...

The Prayuth transparency is up and running , if one can be allowed to be critical if this government is the strength it goes too to be wanted by all and sundry around the world , preaches about transparency then goes and does a deal Government to government behind everyone's back and portrays this as if it is the end to end all deals, the impression I get is Prayuth Is actually saying trust us we know what is good for You, well sir until you let out tender for Public comment , you are nothing more than a dictator, one has doubts that your intentions at the beginning of the Coup are the same now, now that you have settled into the top spot. Score: 0/10

Gee...kettle...pot...

Australia and New Zealand in trying to catch up with the Aussies and Li being in NZ have in the last few month’s negotiated massive trade and other deals with China and then announcing them with the same aplomb. Perhaps also New Zealand (who sit as the most democratic country in the world) and Australia PM's are dictators too?

The cabinet of yes men - will do the inking. Thais know how to ink.

The Chinese view ?

Come Into My Parlour Said The Spider To The Fly !

Yeah, but it makes sense given Chiina's proximity and wealth. The train system in China is much closer to European and Japanese systems in technology and quality of service than say the US. The SRT is shunned by middle class Thais who prefer busses. Thailand's rail system would never move forward without massive external aid.

i think the point may be that there's likely to be more to major contracts with China than appears on the paper.

200,000 tonnes of rubber is hardly news worthy. At 6000 baht a ton it's a pittance.

Should have just kept the story about the train.

Still it's some favourable publicity for a government that needs all it can get.

200,000 tonnes of rubber is hardly news worthy. At 6000 baht a ton it's a pittance.

Should have just kept the story about the train.

Still it's some favourable publicity for a government that needs all it can get.

I see it as more a goodwill gesture by the Chinese.

Accept our loans and we will buy some of your inferior product.

Is this the earlier announced 'year end big sale' already?

These moves on the part of the PM are perfectly logical, and potentially beneficial to Thais in the short term (and long term if they build the trains using Thai labor and Chinese leadership and tested steel).

China has never broken their agreements to NOT interfere in a country's politics. The Western track record on this important point is a chronicle of failure.

Please note I said these moves described in the article are logical.

I did not say I liked them at all.

The ramifications are quite long-lived and potentially damaging, being indebtedness to any super-power, a failed history of maintenance in regards to every railway system in Thailand, a history of corruption that new railways will feed rather than starve, and, of course, the vicarious allotment of power to Chinese nationals while they are here in Thailand. A Thai girl I was dating, said Thailand had never been invaded and occupied by an army, but were invaded and occupied by Chinese sperm.

It's a can of worms. A progressive can of worms, yes, but a can of worms nonetheless.

Edited December 19, 201411 yr by FangFerang

The Prayuth transparency is up and running , if one can be allowed to be critical if this government is the strength it goes too to be wanted by all and sundry around the world , preaches about transparency then goes and does a deal Government to government behind everyone's back and portrays this as if it is the end to end all deals, the impression I get is Prayuth Is actually saying trust us we know what is good for You, well sir until you let out tender for Public comment , you are nothing more than a dictator, one has doubts that your intentions at the beginning of the Coup are the same now, now that you have settled into the top spot. Score: 0/10

Behind everybodys back? How so?

Do you think that you should have been involved, or perhaps the PTP, the Democrats. the BJT or any of the other alphabet soup of Thai political parties?

If the government doesn't do it then who else will?

If you don't believe that this government is far more transparent than the last PTP government who promised all Thais that they would be rich in 6 months, talked many times about G2G rice deals that never materialised, that wanted to borrow 2Tr baht whuch would be administered "off budget" then you must be crazy.

When was there EVER ANY transparency from the PTP government about anything but you appear to have believed them yet you don't even want to believe this government without even giving them a chance.

Edited December 19, 201411 yr by billd766

The cabinet of yes men - will do the inking. Thais know how to ink.

A bit like Thaksin thinks and Puea Thai does as it is told (still).

Unfortunately, a "Memo of Understanding" has no real financial value. Show me the money, 555.

A MoU and 5 baht will buy you some moo on a stick...

"China has promised to buy 2 million tonnes of rice and 200,000 tonnes of rubber ..."

No mention of the unit prices for rice and rubber. But Thailand also signed an agreement with the Chinese government to sell China 400,000 tonnes of rubber at Bt60/kg, to be delivered in 18 months (The Nation 2014-12-15). Farmer production cost is Bt64.50/kg ! Well done Gen. Prayuth.

These moves on the part of the PM are perfectly logical, and potentially beneficial to Thais in the short term (and long term if they build the trains using Thai labor and Chinese leadership and tested steel).

China has never broken their agreements to NOT interfere in a country's politics. The Western track record on this important point is a chronicle of failure.

Please note I said these moves described in the article are logical.

I did not say I liked them at all.

The ramifications are quite long-lived and potentially damaging, being indebtedness to any super-power, a failed history of maintenance in regards to every railway system in Thailand, a history of corruption that new railways will feed rather than starve, and, of course, the vicarious allotment of power to Chinese nationals while they are here in Thailand. A Thai girl I was dating, said Thailand had never been invaded and occupied by an army, but were invaded and occupied by Chinese sperm.

It's a can of worms. A progressive can of worms, yes, but a can of worms nonetheless.

Thailand has been invaded and occupied by Chinese sperm ?? How much sperm from Europe and America has fired into Thailand during the last two or three decades ??

Actually, looking at people like Thaksin, Porntip (the forensics lady with the crazy hair), Abhisit, and the vast majority of Thailand's mega-rich, well, I think the Chinese sperm has been mainly fired towards Chinese eggs !

"Thailand has been invaded and occupied by Chinese sperm ??"

Correct. By the largest minority in today's China: The Dai (Tai).

They were pushed out of China long ago by the Han Chinese, who now make up 92% of the Chinese population.

Thailand has been invaded and conquered many times, 555. The Khmer, Burmese, Dai, not to mention the British, French and Japanese.

Only America has never been conquered. Go ahead. Ask any Native American tribal living on a reservation in America if their people has been conquered.

You will get a seething scowl of anger. Be prepared for a fight, 555.

I would say a railway of 734-kilometre (1500km of Track) will take then at best 8 years, that's civils , rail and systems (Comms and Signaling). I would be interested to see the proposed alignment, where will it be in relation to the existing ROW ?

Edited December 20, 201411 yr by ExPratt

China has never broken their agreements to NOT interfere in a country's politics.

True, they never agreed not to invade Vietnam in 1979, or occupy and colonise Tibet.

And they'd never dream of pressuring countries to whom the widely-respected Dalai Lama paid a visit, would they.

2 million tonnes of rice and 200,000 tonnes a year for the next 10 years would be a deal worth inking. A oncer deal is nothing to write home about.

Is this the package where Thailand sells China its old, deteriorating rice stocks, and China sells Thailand substandard and cheap quality rail track and related equipment that's destined to fail within a few years???