Chinese and Thai transport authorities have reaffirmed that a rail transport deal is still good to go despite internal structural changes, said permanent secretary for transport Soithip Traisuth.
Chinese delegates met Transport Ministry executives last week to discuss the deal.
Ms Soithip said the Chinese officials clarified the changes after China's abolition of its Ministry of Railways. That ministry was dissolved in March last year. Its administrative functions were shifted to the Ministry of Transport and the China Railway Corporation, a state enterprise, was established to operate the national railway.
Ms Soithip confirmed to the Chinese delegation that Thai-Sino collaboration on a high speed train that would run from China to Thailand would proceed.
"This is the second delegation to visit us," she said. "It was an introductory visit after the Ministry of Railway was dissolved. I've given them assurances on several issues." The talks come as the Transport Ministry is considering forming a new agency to develop the country's railways. Under the plan, a new rail transport department will be set up to handle railway expansion nationwide and oversee rail project investment under the national infrastructure development plan.
Ms Soithip said the Chinese also discussed the progress of another plan: a high-speed train that would run from southern China to Laos' Vientiane.
The construction of the 400km route is expected to take about five years if it is approved, she said. The route's construction involves excavating a tunnel that stretches 200km. She said the project is crucial to the Thai tourism industry.
"The number of tourists from southern China is about 17 million per year. If just 10% of that number visit Thailand using this route, it will be a big boost to the tourism industry," she said.