Thai Transport Ministry outlines mega projects to stimulate growth next year

[webfact]

Transport ministry outlines mega projects to stimulate growth next year



BANGKOK: -- The Transport Ministry yesterday outlined 20 mega projects involving over 1.7 trillion baht that it believes will stimulate the country's economic growth.

Announcement of the mega infrastructure projects was revealed by the Minister of Transport Mr Arkhom Termpittayapaisith while addressing a key note speech on how mega projects could help to drive economy.

He stated that the ministry has 20 mega projects in the pipeline with a combined investment cost of estimated 1.7 trillion baht.

He said some projects are ready to be processed this year, while construction can begin as early as next year.

He cited the Thailand-China rail project which he said will be officially commenced on December 19 at the Chiang Rak Noi railway station in Ayutthaya province.

On the part of the Thai-Japanese cooperation on high-speed train project, he said the train speed has yet to be determined, pending an official study.

But he said the maximum speed possible will be at 300 kilometres per hour.

However he said currently results of the study are being proposed to related authorities, after which they will be submitted to the Cabinet for consideration in the middle of next year.

A Cabinet approval is expected by the end of next year.

Thailand and Japan will ink an agreement when deputy prime minister Somkid Jatusripitak travels to Japan soon to sign a cooperation agreement on the construction of the Kanchanaburi-Sa Kaeo rail project.

Under the agreement, Thailand and Japan will set up a company to jointly operate the route which will be a dual track system.

The route will facilitate the transport of products from Thailand’s eastern seaboard, to Ayutthaya and Pathum Thani provinces, as well as to the Dawei Eastern Seaboard of Myanmar.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/transport-ministry-outlines-mega-projects-to-stimulate-growth-next-year


-- Thai PBS 2015-11-19

[IMA_FARANG]

That is the story we always hear......that megaprojects and the expenditure of money generates economic "progress".

I disagree with this idea....for two reasons especially in Thailand.

One is the corruption we all know is common in any megaproject in Thailand....which means the more money you spend the more money is wasted by being diverted away from beneficial spending by corruption.

Or as the saying goes the aircraft carrier is a sailboat built by a government committee.

And the other problem is that there is a fundamental disconnect between the wealthy Capitalist oligarchy elite and their interest which is to maintain their political control over society by spending money to keep and extend their control over other sectors of society below them with such megaprojects and the public benefits it generates.

But I think i lost the attention of most of you with that last sentence.

Edited November 19, 2015 by IMA_FARANG

[Ricardo]

Cue an announcement of work to start on Swampy's third-runway & terminal-extension, yet again ?

[phoenixdoglover]

The following words are rarely heard in any Thai mega-project announcements:

- Program Manager

- Open Tender

- Advertisement

- Bid

- Competition

- Bid Results

- Contract Award

These words must not exist in the Thai language. It's the only explanation for their lack of use.

[wabothai]

I think the "watermanagement" is way more important than a 300km/hr bullittrain, which most Thais cannot afford any way.

[nong38]

No mention of the guage as yet and I think we all know that any railway coming out of China will be standard guage and any talk of High Speed must also be standard guage. It is a good idea to get foreign involvement in running these 2 projects to international standards rather than the home standards. Its all going to be about standards, same with the roads, they are not high enough.

[poohy]

Did i hear Dam building!? Must have got "drowned out" by the sound of the high speed train coming off the rails

[digibum]

Thailand the hub of mega-projects that never seem to get past the announcement stage.

[Srikcir]

I'm sure the rice farmers will appreciate the Japanese 300km/hr bullit train while they stand idle with no water for their rice crops. Maybe as compensation for having no means of support the government can give farmers discounts on the train to bring them happiness.

[IsaanUSA]

The following words are rarely heard in any Thai mega-project announcements:

- Program Manager

- Open Tender

- Advertisement

- Bid

- Competition

- Bid Results

- Contract Award

These words must not exist in the Thai language. It's the only explanation for their lack of use.

They are "heard" however they are in Thai language.

[chainarong]

The following words are rarely heard in any Thai mega-project announcements:

- Program Manager

- Open Tender

- Advertisement

- Bid

- Competition

- Bid Results

- Contract Award

These words must not exist in the Thai language. It's the only explanation for their lack of use.

How can you beat the Prayut - O transparency test , a Government to government agreement , Aka China rail project.

[chainarong]

Mega projects for mega ego's or are they just what Thailand needs, the Japanese consortium would pass the spit test, it possibly wont happen , the Chinese projects only time will tell , sadly not one mention of the most important infrastructure , water................ perhaps that is under special consideration.

[mike324]

Thailand does not need a bullet train, hope they never build it as it will be a debt hole.

[Mudcrab]

That is the story we always hear......that megaprojects and the expenditure of money generates economic "progress".

I disagree with this idea....for two reasons especially in Thailand.

One is the corruption we all know is common in any megaproject in Thailand....which means the more money you spend the more money is wasted by being diverted away from beneficial spending by corruption.

Or as the saying goes the aircraft carrier is a sailboat built by a government committee.

And the other problem is that there is a fundamental disconnect between the wealthy Capitalist oligarchy elite and their interest which is to maintain their political control over society by spending money to keep and extend their control over other sectors of society below them with such megaprojects and the public benefits it generates.

But I think i lost the attention of most of you with that last sentence.

You lost me at 'I disagree'.

i don't think the Thai government was asking for your opinion or blessing.

[MaiChai]

I think the "watermanagement" is way more important than a 300km/hr bullittrain, which most Thais cannot afford any way.

You're right; those trains will be pushing floodwaters in and out of Bangkok. Unless they are vehicle fire in the sky!

[NongKhaiKid]

For a junta that took over to ' stabilise ' only they're into some massive projects.

Planning to stay around for a while ?