Britain is keen to invest in infrastructure including the double-rail track project and Suvarnabhumi airport expansion, the Transport Ministry says.
Transport Minister Prajin Juntong said British ambassador to Thailand Mark Kent has called on him and conveyed Britain’s interest in investing in large-scale infrastructure projects.
The double-track service will come with new 1.435-metre standard gauge tracks while Suvaranabhumi airport needs an additional runway and parking bays.
Britain is also interested in investing in major seaports, the Map Ta Put industrial complex in Rayong, Laem Chabang port in Chon Buri, the proposed Pak Bara project in Satun and the Songkhla 2 seaport in Songkhla.
The ministry has asked the British to talk about the proposals with Chartchai Thipsunawee, deputy transport permanent secretary, the State Railway of Thailand, and the Airports of Thailand.
Regarding the Pak Bara deep-sea port, ACM Prajin said the ministry will ask cabinet for 50 million baht to study the project.
The land expropriation and project design will follow later. Construction, expected to begin in 2017, will take five years.
ACM Prajin said ministry staff planned to go on a study tour of the Pak Bara project and the area designated for the Songkhla 2 seaport. The minister said the two deep seaports form a vital strategic link for sea transport logistics.
The project includes a road and a 142km railway connecting the Pak Bara port on the Andaman coast with the Songkhla 2 port on the Gulf of Thailand.
Together they will help turn southern Thailand into an Asean sea transport hub, ACM Prajin said.