Prajin sets double-rail deadline

Prajin sets double-rail deadline

Transport Minister ACM Prajin Juntong has set a March 31 deadline to pave the way for Japanese-Thai development of a new double-track railroad, expected to link with the Dawei deep seaport project in Myanmar.

He said Thailand should be ready to discuss in detail a route in which Japan might be interested, and a government-to-government investment plan.

The two countries set March 31 for the next round of talks between the Thai Ministry of Transport and Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

"I'm confident the talks will see some progress," ACM Prajin said after chairing a meeting on the joint railway development project Thursday.

Japan has not decided which route it will fund or invest in, following the Prayut Chan-o-cha government's announcement it will develop three major routes that will link provinces in the western, northern, central and eastern regions.

Prajin: Determined to speed up project

However, ACM Prajin believes Japan is most likely to choose the Kanchanaburi-Bangkok-Aranyaprathet-Laem Chabang route and leave another two − Tak-Phitsanulok-Phetchabun-Khon Kaen-Roi Et-Mukdahan and Bangkok-Phitsanulok-Chiang Mai − for other countries.

One reason is the first route can be linked with the Dawei deep seaport mega-project which Japan has expressed an interest in helping Nay Pyi Taw develop.

Kanchaburi, which borders Myanmar, is seen as a door to the new port. The new rail route also links this western province with Laem Chabang, a key industrial estate in the eastern province of Chon Buri, as well as Aranyaprathet in Sa Kaeo that borders Cambodia in the far East.

Another reason is this railroad will connect Japan's industrial bases in Thailand along the route, ACM Prajin said.

However, he admitted March 31 will not be the day for Japan to announce a final decision because its representatives have no such authority.

"Our goal is to finalise this project this year because it may not occur if we have to wait for a new government," ACM Prajin said.

Earlier in February, ACM Prajin and Akihiro Ota, Japan's Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, signed the memorandum of intent on future cooperation on Thai railway development.

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