The cabinet yesterday cleared the way for a proposed railway construction deal between Thailand and China to link border province Nong Khai to the industrial coastal region of Map Ta Phut in Rayong.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said after the meeting yesterday that the cabinet had approved the proposal to allow China to develop the 1.435-metre standard-gauge railway route to serve trains that will travel at speeds of between 160-180kph.
A government source said the estimated cost of the rail project is around 400 billion baht.
According to Transport Minister Prajin Juntong, the 867-km rail project would cover three sections — Nong Khai-Nakhon Ratchasima-Kaeng Khoi; Kaeng Khoi-Bangkok; and Kaeng Khoi-Chon Buri-Map Ta Phut.