The local chamber of commerce and other groups in Rayong are campaigning for support as they plan to petition the government to revise its decision to exclude the province from the first phase of the high-speed train project.
Led by Noppadol Tangsoncharoen, president of Rayong's chamber of commerce, the groups on Wednesday began collecting signatures of supporters, and expect to receive at least 10,000.
Other key bodies taking part include Rayong's commercial banks club, the tourism business association and the industrial council.
The government's committee overseeing its flagship Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) project had decided Rayong station should be removed from the high-speed train project linking up three airports -- Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi and U-Tapao -- because the station has a problem with its environmental impact assessment (EIA), said Mr Noppadol.
Most Rayong residents were disappointed by the decision as they had expected that Rayong would be part of the high-speed train project. The government had earlier made such a promise, and they expected the Rayong economy would improve as a result.
Rayong governor Surasak Charoensirichote said he would forward the petition to the government.
Meanwhile, Deputy Transport Minister Pailin Chuchottaworn said three financial consultants have presented their models for setting up an independent body to direct the country's Thai-Chinese high-speed train.
He did not provide details on the companies and their models.
He was speaking after a meeting on Wednesday of a sub-committee in charge of forming the new organisation.
It urges the organisation be independent from the State Railway of Thailand to ensure it is established on time and is efficient in managing the high-speed train project, he said.
The cabinet on July 11 last year approved the SRT's plan to develop the first phase of the Bangkok-Nong Khai high-speed train project (from Bangkok to Nakhon Ratchasima).