Somkid emphasises east-west railways

Somkid emphasises east-west railways

Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak has ordered the Transport Ministry to also speed up work on transnational east-west railway projects, especially a lower corridor to facilitate people and cargo transport via Myanmar to India.

Meeting Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith on Monday, Mr Somkid, who oversees economic affairs, said that apart from north-south railway projects linking Bangkok with Chiang Mai, Nong Khai and Rayong, the east-west rail lines were also important and would have to be developed simultaneously.

"That will make Thailand the centre of AEC at once. Thailand will benefit greatly," Mr Somkid said, referring to the Asean Economic Community grouping.

He pushed for the construction of two east-west railways. The upper track running from Mukdahan province through Khon Kaen and Phitsanulok provinces to Tak province's Mae Sot district and then linking with Myanmar.

The line would transport more passengers than freight and would distribute growth to major provinces in the Northeast and the West, Mr Somkid said.

The Northeast would benefit greatly and compensate for drought, insufficient resources and poverty, he said.

The other east-west line he said was more important to him. It will stretch from the eastern province of Rayong through Bangkok to Kanchanaburi province.

This lower line would serve both passengers and freight transport and pass through industiral areas along the way, and consequently, cargo could be delivered faster through Myanmar to India, Mr Somkid said.

The deputy prime minister added that Thailand was asking China to offer help with the construction of the north-south railway from Nong Khai province to Bangkok and Rayong because both countries agreed that it was a strategic route.

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