4 trillion baht infrastructure plan unveiled

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Govt to boost infrastructure spending to B4 trillion

Published: 28 Feb 2013 at 00.00
Newspaper section: News

The government will double its budget for infrastructure development over the next seven years to 4 trillion baht, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Kittiratt Na-Ranong says.

Transport Minister Chadchat Sittipunt answers questions from the media about the plan to build four high-speed railway lines and 10 new regular railways.

Mr Kittiratt, however, said that sum will only be enough to finance major transport routes within the master plan.

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jck
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Discussion 16 : 28 Feb 2013 at 10.5316
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With current abysmal quality standards of road building I would not fancy riding high speed trains especially after the tracks have been laid for a few years.
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bkposter
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Discussion 15 : 28 Feb 2013 at 10.0915
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RE: D9 I agree for the most part with your statement, and if they could develop a viable transport infrastructure then the north could be developed much easier for manufacturing and the lives of the poorest there would improve. I think the high speed trains spoken of are for people and for the east coast and around Bangkok. I think first they need transparency in the bidding process and to make sure they take extreme measures to make sure the money does not somehow end up in politicians pockets. And Auditors appointed by the opposition party.
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pjt
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Discussion 14 : 28 Feb 2013 at 09.5714
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I honestly do not understand this fixation with high speed rail from a practical standpoint, when our basic rail system is a mess and even relatively new built major roads are deteriorating at an alarming rate. A really well thought out and implimented national rail network which could move goods around the country in big volume would be far more valuable that shaving an hour or two off journey times
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Openshaw
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Discussion 13 : 28 Feb 2013 at 09.5313
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Easy to be cynical here, however anything that will improve Thailand's infrastructure (and through that the quality of life of millions) has to be welcomed. The Thai economy is in quite good shape at the moment, so good to see positive action on the part of the government to sustain and enhance the country's success.

A lot better than buying obsolete submarines that's for sure.
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jacksprat
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Discussion 12 : 28 Feb 2013 at 09.3112
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If the government can't even maintain the current rail system, what makes them thing they can handle a more complicated and difficult one?
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spiceman
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Discussion 11 : 28 Feb 2013 at 09.2211
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Oh, No, not another high-speed train to nowhere again, which will be many times more expensive than our much higher-speed air travel. Thailand is a small country and a safe, reliable, and reasonable speed rail system will be the most cost effective way to go.
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dickemery
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Discussion 10 : 28 Feb 2013 at 08.5810
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surely big investment must go to all especially the poor,jobs,healthcare,water management,sewage,incenirator,roads,or is handing out 500 baht every so often acceptable, high speed trains only serve the rich and elites,pt are obsessed with mega projects,we wonder why ? serve all the people,not just the few,what say you thilda and jataporn
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dao
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Discussion 9 : 28 Feb 2013 at 08.529
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Thailand doesnt need a few expensive high speed trains .It needs a complete reliable train system .Do they think containers need to go to the port at high speed .Can you imagine a bomb on the tracks in the south at high speed .Most of this article is them talking about how much money they want and trying to justify it .No mention of what the money will be spent on really . Sort of like the water management program .They quote a huge figure and nobody really sees where the money is spent .
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pete
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Discussion 8 : 28 Feb 2013 at 08.358
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"The borrowing will be included in public debt but the government will cap it at 50% of GDP".
Well K Chadchat obviously did not read yesterday’s BP where under the heading ‘Headed for a debt crisis?’ public debt was forecast to surpass 60% due in the main to policies such as the rice-pledging scheme, subsidies for first-time car buyers and income tax cuts. Either the BP has got it wrong or it’s just another pie in the sky idea from the Transport Ministry.
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djay
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Discussion 7 : 28 Feb 2013 at 08.337
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Will this include fixing BTS, MRT, and Airport Link? Because they surely need fixing.
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