Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha will witness the signing of a memorandum of intent (MoI) with Japan for the development of three sections of a railway project during his visit to the country next month, the government spokesman says.
Hiroto Izumi, special adviser to Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, talks with Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha during their meeting yesterday at Government House. PHOTO COURTESY OF GOVERNMENT HOUSE
Gen Prayut yesterday met Hiroto Izumi, the special economic adviser to Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, at Government House.
According to Government House, among the key topics for discussion was the cooperation between the two nations on the development of infrastructure in Thailand.
Gen Prayut stressed that this topic, particularly the 1.435-metre wide standard-gauge rail system, is key to strengthening the countries' relations.
Both transport ministries have already discussed the matter and agreed that a MOI will be signed during Gen Prayut's visit to Japan between Feb 8-10.
The proposed East-West Economic Corridor railway projects will cover the Bangkok-Kanchanaburi (Ban Phu Nam Ron) route, Bangkok-Aranyaprathet in Sa Kaeo and Bangkok-Laem Chabang in Chon Buri, government spokesman Yongyuth Mayalarp said.
He said Gen Prayut has also pledged to work with Japan in the Dawei industrial zone in Myanmar, and along special economic border areas.
Gen Prayut has also pledged support for efforts to boost the value of trade and investment between the two countries under the Japan-Thailand Economic Partnership Agreement, Mr Yongyuth said, adding that these issues will also be discussed in Japan.