A change has been made to the Sino-Thai dual track railway project as the Nakhon Ratchasima-Nong Khai section will become a single track route.
It comes after Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith and Finance Minister Apisak Tantivorawong visited China last week to discuss rail cooperation.
Mr Arkhom said the change was needed because the volume of freight transport along the section remains minimal.
He said the dual track rail route on the Bangkok-Kaeng Khoi (in Saraburi) section and the Kaeng Khoi-Nakhon Ratchasima section will also be combined.
Regarding the new plan, the first phase will involve the Bangkok-Nakhon Ratchasima section and the Nakhon Ratchasima-Nong Khai section. The second phase will be on the Kaeng Khoi-Map Ta Phut (in Rayong) section.
"Construction material will be sought in Thailand as much as possible to cut costs," Mr Arkhom said.
The Kaeng Khoi-Map Ta Phut section is still not ready for investment, he said. Talks were also held with Chinese authorities about the proposed investment ratio between the countries in a special purpose vehicle, or SPV, which will proceed with the dual-track railway project, the minister said.
Thailand made a proposal to the Chinese authorities that China should hold a 60% stake in the SPV, Mr Arkhom said. The Chinese officials took the proposal and promised to forward it to their superiors for consideration.
The minister said the SPV will be responsible for some construction, track-laying, and the installation of signal systems and maintenance. He said the SPV covered only train operations and maintenance during the past nine meetings of officials responsible for the project.
The Chinese officials said they will provide a response on the investment ratio and the construction cost within two weeks, he said. They will be considering cutting the cost of rail construction from Bangkok to Nakhon Ratchasima, the minister said.
If the investment agreement is finalised, both countries will formally sign it at the 10th joint meeting of the officials in Beijing later this month, Mr Arkhom said.