Other countries welcome to invest in three other rail routes: Prajin

[Lite Beer]

Other countries welcome to invest in three other rail routes: Prajin
Supalak Ganjanakhundee
The Sunday Nation

Prajin

BANGKOK: -- Japan, South Korea and European countries still have an opportunity to invest in Thailand's railway systems - despite the pending 867-kilometre double-track project being allocated to China, Transport Minister Prajin Juntong said yesterday.

Besides the recently approved Nong Khai-Nakhon Ratchasima-Kaeng Khoi-Map Ta Phut (734km) and Kaeng Khoi-Bangkok (133km) routes, which China will be involved in, Prajin says the government plans to construct three more rail routes that offer investment opportunities to other countries.

He said the first line would be built along the East-West Economic Corridor - Mae Sot-Phitsanulok-Phetchabun-Khon Kaen-Mukdahan - and the second route was Phu Nam Ron-Kanchanaburi-Bangkok-Rayong.

Japanese investors may be interested in the third route, from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, he said.

"We will discuss these rail development possibilities with Japan when the new [Japanese] government has taken office," he said at the side of the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS) summit here.

Prajin said that since the projects were announced in July, many foreign investors had shown an interest, including investors from Japan, South Korea and Europe.

He said the East-West Corridor route was initially going to be a highway but the junta realised a rail system would be a better option logistically.

The rail route was a crucial part of the rail network in the Greater Mekong Sub-region.

Prajin said GMS countries had agreed to establish the Greater Mekong Railway Association to coordinate and cooperate on rail systems in the region.

Commenting on the cooperation with China, Prajin said the joint working group - which he would chair - would begin the survey and study work for the project early next year.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Other-countries-welcome-to-invest-in-three-other-r-30250323.html

-- The Nation 2014-12-21

[Fred Flinstone]

Good luck

[NongKhaiKid]

Is Thailand trying the dangerous game of playing potential investors off against each other to get the best deals ?

China has its foot in the door and may have something to say about it.

[ExPratt]

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

Is Thailand trying the dangerous game of playing potential investors off against each other to get the best deals ?

China has its foot in the door and may have something to say about it.

You do need competition you cannot award everything to one country of they'll have you by the nuts if they don't perform, Bearing in mind to have so much work all happening withing a short time is not normal. They have enough work to give everyone a piece of the pie , but can they then control it ?

I recon the other lines wont be agreed for a while (Post Junta)

[SoilSpoil]

Great to have a strong infrastructure which is needed to develop the economical strength of the country and the mobility of its people.

The only question and fear I have when I visualize these new lines is how much of the pristine Western and Eastern eco systems will be sacrificed for this.

[tomyummer]

Let's hope the invitation to 'invest', if not for just cash, includes the same type of system, sized rails and cars to fit when the whole project is completed. Especially with the Thais managing the whole thing.

Desperately inviting the Chinese, Japanese, South Korea, and Europe....sounds messy.

[HiSoLowSoNoSo]

So no own money to invest in your own infrastructure?

[BigBadGeordie]

Good idea to get the Japanese involved, especially in the route via Kanchanaburi, after all they have previous experience.

[ChrisY1]

Is Thailand trying the dangerous game of playing potential investors off against each other to get the best deals ?

China has its foot in the door and may have something to say about it.

Dead right........China won't allow this to happen.........!!

Just face saving PR ........

[Caveat Emptor]

Is Thailand trying the dangerous game of playing potential investors off against each other to get the best deals ?

China has its foot in the door and may have something to say about it.

Dead right........China won't allow this to happen.........!!

Just face saving PR ........

We've seen how China's involvement with several African counties started with loans, aid and so on then developed into control.

Thailand needs to be very careful about allowing this sort of backdoor takeover but somehow I think the lure of ' easy ' money will be too much plus other little ' incentives ' that will likely be on offer.

[crobe]

Is Thailand trying the dangerous game of playing potential investors off against each other to get the best deals ?

China has its foot in the door and may have something to say about it.

Dead right........China won't allow this to happen.........!!

Just face saving PR ........

You have no idea how the Thai Government works.

Yes, they are looking to give the East-West routes to japan because they want to have balance - these have been in discussions for some months now.

In my job I get direct instructions from the Minister that if one project goes to the Japanese or the Chinese we have to balance it out, otherwise we risk the overall investment.

The Thai governments have always felt that their handling of the Brits and French to maintain independence is the way to continue with international affairs, it is just the great game again with different players.

My main concern is lack of coordination on these projects.

By my calculation we now have 3 different schemes for rail to Rayong - the Nong Khai-Nakhon Ratchasima-Kaeng Khoi-Map Ta Phut line agreed with the Chinese - the AoT plan to connect Suvarhnabumi to U-Tapao, and the new East-West line Phu Nam Ron-Kanchanaburi-Bangkok-Rayong.

There needs to be some coordination on the use of a single route otherwise we could end up with overlapping plans for 6 lines.

[DLock]

When he says "invest", that assumes some sort of "return".

What is that return exactly?...and what do they get for their investment? What are the limitations?

I'm not sure who is the winner here.

[tonbridgebrit]

Go on Thailand, show the world that you are not controlled by China. Tell America, Europe and Japan that they can put in their bids to build infra-structure in Thailand ! We'ill see what bids these other companies can make.

I think we should be realistic. Thailand chooses Chinese government-backed consortiums to build these projects because these consortiums are offering the best deal with regards to price and quality. It's NOT because Thailand is obeying the master in Beijing ! Yes, other companes from other countries might offer better quality, but they will charge a lot more money. The Thai government does know that these Chinese companies have already laid a vast amount of railway track in China, and they've built other stuff as well. They also build things ON TIME.

People refuse to accept that Chinese companies put in the most competitive bids, that's why these people start thinking that Thailand is being forced to use Chinese companies.

And let's just say that China is offering loans and buying rice to get Thailand to choose Chinese. Hey, why can't America offer Thailand some combat jets at a discount price, in return for choosing American companies to build these projects ? Maybe the European Union should scrap all tariffs and quotas on Thai goods (shrimps, other food products, manufactured goods, etc) being imported into Europe, in return for choosing European companies to build these projects ?

[ChrisY1]

Is Thailand trying the dangerous game of playing potential investors off against each other to get the best deals ?

China has its foot in the door and may have something to say about it.

Dead right........China won't allow this to happen.........!!

Just face saving PR ........

You have no idea how the Thai Government works.

Yes, they are looking to give the East-West routes to japan because they want to have balance - these have been in discussions for some months now.

In my job I get direct instructions from the Minister that if one project goes to the Japanese or the Chinese we have to balance it out, otherwise we risk the overall investment.

The Thai governments have always felt that their handling of the Brits and French to maintain independence is the way to continue with international affairs, it is just the great game again with different players.

My main concern is lack of coordination on these projects.

By my calculation we now have 3 different schemes for rail to Rayong - the Nong Khai-Nakhon Ratchasima-Kaeng Khoi-Map Ta Phut line agreed with the Chinese - the AoT plan to connect Suvarhnabumi to U-Tapao, and the new East-West line Phu Nam Ron-Kanchanaburi-Bangkok-Rayong.

There needs to be some coordination on the use of a single route otherwise we could end up with overlapping plans for 6 lines.

I think many of us do actually have a very good understanding of how the Thai government, and others, work.

It's just very unfortunate, that so many projects owned and operated by Thai governments of the past, turn into disasters eventually.

The Thai government' experience with rail transport is totally disgraceful...........I take it you work for the Ministry of Transport.......

I'm sure a prospective JV partnership would havethe foreign partner nervously wondering how the Thais could cooordinate such large infrastructure projects as the 3 different routes you mention.

[JOC]

Go on Thailand, show the world that you are not controlled by China. Tell America, Europe and Japan that they can put in their bids to build infra-structure in Thailand ! We'ill see what bids these other companies can make.

I think we should be realistic. Thailand chooses Chinese government-backed consortiums to build these projects because these consortiums are offering the best deal with regards to price and quality. It's NOT because Thailand is obeying the master in Beijing ! Yes, other companes from other countries might offer better quality, but they will charge a lot more money. The Thai government does know that these Chinese companies have already laid a vast amount of railway track in China, and they've built other stuff as well. They also build things ON TIME.

People refuse to accept that Chinese companies put in the most competitive bids, that's why these people start thinking that Thailand is being forced to use Chinese companies.

And let's just say that China is offering loans and buying rice to get Thailand to choose Chinese. Hey, why can't America offer Thailand some combat jets at a discount price, in return for choosing American companies to build these projects ? Maybe the European Union should scrap all tariffs and quotas on Thai goods (shrimps, other food products, manufactured goods, etc) being imported into Europe, in return for choosing European companies to build these projects ?

Very nice words Sir!!

But you are completely missing, that in the contract awarded to China, there was no quotes from other suppliers, no bidding and no transparency!!

Prayuth single handed gave the contract to the Chinese, probably after being congratuled to his newly opened account in the Bank of China!!

He granted a contract to the Chinese worth billions of $ on behalf of the Thai people, who he doesn't even represent.

And now has the nerve to go out and beg ("invite"-my backside) for more money from other nations.

This guy makes Mr T look like a pure amateur!!

[crobe]

Is Thailand trying the dangerous game of playing potential investors off against each other to get the best deals ?

China has its foot in the door and may have something to say about it.

Dead right........China won't allow this to happen.........!!

Just face saving PR ........

You have no idea how the Thai Government works.

Yes, they are looking to give the East-West routes to japan because they want to have balance - these have been in discussions for some months now.

In my job I get direct instructions from the Minister that if one project goes to the Japanese or the Chinese we have to balance it out, otherwise we risk the overall investment.

The Thai governments have always felt that their handling of the Brits and French to maintain independence is the way to continue with international affairs, it is just the great game again with different players.

My main concern is lack of coordination on these projects.

By my calculation we now have 3 different schemes for rail to Rayong - the Nong Khai-Nakhon Ratchasima-Kaeng Khoi-Map Ta Phut line agreed with the Chinese - the AoT plan to connect Suvarhnabumi to U-Tapao, and the new East-West line Phu Nam Ron-Kanchanaburi-Bangkok-Rayong.

There needs to be some coordination on the use of a single route otherwise we could end up with overlapping plans for 6 lines.

I think many of us do actually have a very good understanding of how the Thai government, and others, work.

It's just very unfortunate, that so many projects owned and operated by Thai governments of the past, turn into disasters eventually.

The Thai government' experience with rail transport is totally disgraceful...........I take it you work for the Ministry of Transport.......

I'm sure a prospective JV partnership would havethe foreign partner nervously wondering how the Thais could cooordinate such large infrastructure projects as the 3 different routes you mention.

No I don't work for the MoT, but I have, and still do, work for other ministries and APOs.

You have completely missed the point.

I was not commenting on the implementation of past projects but on the policy at the moment, which I have knowledge of and you have none.

I do, however, agree with you that the coordination of 3 projects is a challenge to Thailand, which is why I raised my concern

You have added nothing of value.

[ExPratt]

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

Is Thailand trying the dangerous game of playing potential investors off against each other to get the best deals ?

China has its foot in the door and may have something to say about it.

Dead right........China won't allow this to happen.........!!

Just face saving PR ........

You have no idea how the Thai Government works.

Yes, they are looking to give the East-West routes to japan because they want to have balance - these have been in discussions for some months now.

In my job I get direct instructions from the Minister that if one project goes to the Japanese or the Chinese we have to balance it out, otherwise we risk the overall investment.

The Thai governments have always felt that their handling of the Brits and French to maintain independence is the way to continue with international affairs, it is just the great game again with different players.

My main concern is lack of coordination on these projects.

By my calculation we now have 3 different schemes for rail to Rayong - the Nong Khai-Nakhon Ratchasima-Kaeng Khoi-Map Ta Phut line agreed with the Chinese - the AoT plan to connect Suvarhnabumi to U-Tapao, and the new East-West line Phu Nam Ron-Kanchanaburi-Bangkok-Rayong.

There needs to be some coordination on the use of a single route otherwise we could end up with overlapping plans for 6 lines.

No other country except China would attempt to do the lot, too much risk. By splitting the work up you always leave yourself options should one or the other fail in their commitment. Different countries will mean different contractors and very likely different components , its always cheaper to use 1 type of component across the board but in the backhander free for all when procuring, the more differing manufacturers you use the better. I would say many countries will not want their own Construction contractors in here , supply of components and Design is where the safe money is at

[FangFerang]

Is Thailand trying the dangerous game of playing potential investors off against each other to get the best deals ?

China has its foot in the door and may have something to say about it.

Dead right........China won't allow this to happen.........!!

Just face saving PR ........

We've seen how China's involvement with several African counties started with loans, aid and so on then developed into control.

Thailand needs to be very careful about allowing this sort of backdoor takeover but somehow I think the lure of ' easy ' money will be too much plus other little ' incentives ' that will likely be on offer.

I don't think you are right on this one, and have it exactly backwards. A survey of 80 African countries showed they would rather do business with China than the West because the Chinese do NOT interfere with a partner country's political infrastructure. It's a documentary called "Empire: the New Scramble for Africa". If you know of any countries that China has propped up as plainly as the US backed the Shah of Iran and the Egyptian Coup, please let me know. I would welcome the new information.

PS: I noted no discussion of the actual trains being purchased from the Chinese. I would guess they want Chinese tracks guiding someone else's wheels.

[NongKhaiKid]

Is Thailand trying the dangerous game of playing potential investors off against each other to get the best deals ?

China has its foot in the door and may have something to say about it.

Dead right........China won't allow this to happen.........!!

Just face saving PR ........

We've seen how China's involvement with several African counties started with loans, aid and so on then developed into control.

Thailand needs to be very careful about allowing this sort of backdoor takeover but somehow I think the lure of ' easy ' money will be too much plus other little ' incentives ' that will likely be on offer.

I don't think you are right on this one, and have it exactly backwards. A survey of 80 African countries showed they would rather do business with China than the West because the Chinese do NOT interfere with a partner country's political infrastructure. It's a documentary called "Empire: the New Scramble for Africa". If you know of any countries that China has propped up as plainly as the US backed the Shah of Iran and the Egyptian Coup, please let me know. I would welcome the new information.

PS: I noted no discussion of the actual trains being purchased from the Chinese. I would guess they want Chinese tracks guiding someone else's wheels.

i'm going by a couple of documentaries I saw on television and it was the ordinary people who were complaining not government officials.

i remember scenes and interviews in a poultry market where ordinary traders had been priced out of the market, literally, due to the Chinese having opened a factory and were selling at a cost the traders couldn't compete with. Opposition to the building of the factory had been ignored by local officials and you can guess what the traders were saying about why that was.

Only one example t agree.

[blazes]

Go on Thailand, show the world that you are not controlled by China. Tell America, Europe and Japan that they can put in their bids to build infra-structure in Thailand ! We'ill see what bids these other companies can make.

I think we should be realistic. Thailand chooses Chinese government-backed consortiums to build these projects because these consortiums are offering the best deal with regards to price and quality. It's NOT because Thailand is obeying the master in Beijing ! Yes, other companes from other countries might offer better quality, but they will charge a lot more money. The Thai government does know that these Chinese companies have already laid a vast amount of railway track in China, and they've built other stuff as well. They also build things ON TIME.

People refuse to accept that Chinese companies put in the most competitive bids, that's why these people start thinking that Thailand is being forced to use Chinese companies.

And let's just say that China is offering loans and buying rice to get Thailand to choose Chinese. Hey, why can't America offer Thailand some combat jets at a discount price, in return for choosing American companies to build these projects ? Maybe the European Union should scrap all tariffs and quotas on Thai goods (shrimps, other food products, manufactured goods, etc) being imported into Europe, in return for choosing European companies to build these projects ?

"They also build things ON TIME."

Perhaps that is because they are using Chinese labour?

[ExPratt]

They finish on time because they have only one objective , things like quality and safety are not considered. Just because a Railway opens "On time" it does not mean its completed, lots of work gets put into "Maintenance: to cover up the non completion. For everyday comparison how many shopping malls open up still with work to do. Its a boardroom compromise usually to avoid liquidated damages

[wabothai]

Thank you for your kind offer. We will consider, sincerely yours.

[wabothai]

I would say , get your house in order first, and under civilian government make these kind of major decisions.

[Jim walker]

China won’t like other countries muscling in on their new territories like Thailand see how grumpy they get with just tiny little islands in the South China Sea.

[maidee]

why does a country need another country to do ITS job...

many billions flow left & right, but only in some elite pockets

china might back off, if they see greedy thailand want more & more money, they might think their monopoly deal might be double, triple sold to someone else

[LawrenceChee]

Is Thailand trying the dangerous game of playing potential investors off against each other to get the best deals ?

China has its foot in the door and may have something to say about it.

Dead right........China won't allow this to happen.........!!

Just face saving PR ........

We've seen how China's involvement with several African counties started with loans, aid and so on then developed into control.

Thailand needs to be very careful about allowing this sort of backdoor takeover but somehow I think the lure of ' easy ' money will be too much plus other little ' incentives ' that will likely be on offer.

I don't think you are right on this one, and have it exactly backwards. A survey of 80 African countries showed they would rather do business with China than the West because the Chinese do NOT interfere with a partner country's political infrastructure. It's a documentary called "Empire: the New Scramble for Africa". If you know of any countries that China has propped up as plainly as the US backed the Shah of Iran and the Egyptian Coup, please let me know. I would welcome the new information.

PS: I noted no discussion of the actual trains being purchased from the Chinese. I would guess they want Chinese tracks guiding someone else's wheels.

i'm going by a couple of documentaries I saw on television and it was the ordinary people who were complaining not government officials.

i remember scenes and interviews in a poultry market where ordinary traders had been priced out of the market, literally, due to the Chinese having opened a factory and were selling at a cost the traders couldn't compete with. Opposition to the building of the factory had been ignored by local officials and you can guess what the traders were saying about why that was.

Only one example t agree.

I am eager to understand how a few poultry farmers protesting could have a key in this ?

Every realistic person understand every project ever proposed by a government will see some form of protest and this happens in every continent and country

If we take those words of a few people and say people are unhappy let's stop the infrastructure development ....you will also see the other 100 protesting who lost their chance of a job or better trade

When Walmart opened and have their crazy prices ...do you think the local deli was happy ?