Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra outlined a major plan to develop the country's railway system as she led her cabinet ministers on a train trip to Nakhon Pathom province yesterday.
Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra leads cabinet ministers and officials on a train trip to Nakhon Pathom yesterday. Ms Yingluck chaired a workshop on the development of the country’s railway system while aboard the train. PATIPAT JANTHONG
The cabinet members accompanying her on the trip were Deputy Prime Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong, Transport Minister Chadchat Sittipunt and Interior Minister Charupong Ruangsuwan. Several other senior officials were also on the journey.
The prime minister and her entourage boarded the Bangkok-Hua Hin special train, which departed at 9am yesterday. They later left the train at Nakhon Pathom and continued with an inspection trip to Ratchaburi, Phetchaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan provinces.
Speaking before departing from Hua Lamphong railway station, Ms Yingluck said her government attaches high importance to the development of infrastructure because the country has not made any major investments in this field for many years.
She said the bill to authorise the Finance Ministry to borrow up to 2 trillion baht for infrastructure investment, which is pending approval by parliament, would be the answer to Thailand's needs in the long run.
It would enhance the country's economy and competitiveness, and make lives easier for commuters, as well as reduce the transport costs of cargo.
Ms Yingluck said topics discussed at the workshop during the train journey included government promotion of freight transportation and travel by train, because this would save energy in the long run and guarantee safety.
She stressed the need for the country to shift its emphasis from road transport to the rail system.
The government will encourage people to use trains by improving railway management and services to guarantee reasonable fares and safety, she said.
Communities near train facilities must be improved and one-tambon-one-product (Otop) goods should be allowed to be sold on trains, she said.
Train stations across the country will be made hubs of development for each locality.
The rail system must also be developed to link to all countries in the Asean region, Ms Yingluck said.
Mr Chadchat said the meeting had agreed that a committee will be set up to oversee urban development along rail routes for high-speed trains.
The committee will have to finalise plans on the use of land for urban development along the rail routes within one month.
The committee will be made up of representatives of the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning, the Public Works and Town & Country Planning Department, the Treasury Department and the State Railway of Thailand (SRT).
Government spokesman Teerat Ratanasevi said Ms Yingluck stressed the need for the SRT to restructure its management and to upgrade the rail system to become the country's major mode of transport with affordable fares.