The government must include human resources and technology when planning its infrastructure developments, say academics from Chulalongkorn University.
Better strategies are needed to serve the development of high-speed railways, Pramual Suteecharuwat, a lecturer at the Faculty of Engineering's Department of Industrial Engineering, told a briefing at the university yesterday.
Thailand is not prepared for the development at present, so more work needs to be done, Mr Pramual said, noting that Airport Rail Link trains have been awaiting long-needed repairs due to problems procuring spare parts from overseas.
This shows how important it is to support domestic production of auto parts, Mr Pramual said.
"If the government fails to prepare sufficiently, and agencies fail to improve the way they work, we will soon encounter some serious problems, he said.
"The government must prepare a clear plan for the developments. This means obtaining appropriate technology and human resources for several large-scale projects."
The prime minister should lead these preparations, the academic said.
Construction of dual-track railways — involving the 734km-long Nong Khai-Nakhon Ratchasima-Kaeng Khoi-Map Ta Phut rail line, and the 133km track from Kaeng Khoi to Bangkok — are massive projects, said Chulalongkorn University rector Pirom Kamolratanakul.
Preparations must be carried out to make the best of the opportunity, he said.
Saksith Chalermpong, a lecturer at the Department of Civil Engineering, agreed with a push by the Transport Ministry to set up a department specifically for handling railway projects.
But the ministry should tread carefully if it wants the rail department to take part in construction, maintenance and system monitoring, he said.
Similar departments overseas only supervise the rail system, he said.
Other agencies or independent bodies should be responsible for the construction, Mr Saksith added.
Sompong Sirisoponsilp, lecturer at the Department of Civil Engineering, said the government should pay attention to the industrial sector's development and support business operators to be competitive.