Train project 'will spur Isan growth'

Train project 'will spur Isan growth'

The planned Bangkok-Nong Khai high-speed train will greatly help economic expansion in the Northeast, Transport Minister Chadchart Sittipunt said on Saturday.

Speaking on the "Yingluck Government Meets the People" weekly programme on NBT, Mr Chadchart said the train project would also enhance development in the upper part of Isan and improve living standards of local people.

In addition, he said, the government planned to expand the existing highways linking Nong Khai with other provinces to four lanes. This project would begin immediately after the 2-trillion-baht borrowing bill top finance all the megaprojects takes effect.

The completion of the high-speed train and four-lane highway projects would encourage more foreign tourists, particularly those from neighbouring countries and China, he said.

The development projects would also spur trade and investment in provinces in the upper Northeast, he added.

Mr Chadchart said the infrastructure development megaprojects would benefit all Thai people and would be carried out with transparency.

Nong Khai governor Wirat Limsuwan said on the same programme that the high-speed train project would be a boon for tourism and related industries.

The connectivity of transport systems between Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and southern China would draw more foreign tourists and investors, particularly Chinese investors, he said.

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