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China to build dual-track railway
The Nation October 30, 2014 1:00 am
China has agreed in principle to build a dual-track railway linking Laos to Nong Khai and Bangkok, a source revealed yesterday.
The agreement was reached when Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan met with Chinese Defence Minister Chang Wanquan in Beijing yesterday.
Prawit, Deputy Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai and the junta's special envoy Somkid Jatusripitak were visiting China to introduce themselves.
They also met Chinese state councillor Wang Yong during the visit.
Under the agreement, China will build a new standard gauge (1.435 metre) double-track railway line. The new track is broader than the single-track currently used in Thailand.
Beijing has agreed to a barter transaction besides offering a soft loan for the project, according to the source who accompanied the Thai delegation.
Thailand would repay the investment cost to China with exports of rice and rubber, while the soft loan would be repaid as per the terms, he said.
The agreement would be confirmed officially when Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha visits China in November for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit, the source said.
Meanwhile, in a separate deal, China has agreed to buy 1.7 million tonnes of new rice and 1 million tonnes of old rice.
The Nation October 30, 2014 1:00 am
China has agreed in principle to build a dual-track railway linking Laos to Nong Khai and Bangkok, a source revealed yesterday.
The agreement was reached when Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan met with Chinese Defence Minister Chang Wanquan in Beijing yesterday.
Prawit, Deputy Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai and the junta's special envoy Somkid Jatusripitak were visiting China to introduce themselves.
They also met Chinese state councillor Wang Yong during the visit.
Under the agreement, China will build a new standard gauge (1.435 metre) double-track railway line. The new track is broader than the single-track currently used in Thailand.
Beijing has agreed to a barter transaction besides offering a soft loan for the project, according to the source who accompanied the Thai delegation.
Thailand would repay the investment cost to China with exports of rice and rubber, while the soft loan would be repaid as per the terms, he said.
The agreement would be confirmed officially when Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha visits China in November for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit, the source said.
Meanwhile, in a separate deal, China has agreed to buy 1.7 million tonnes of new rice and 1 million tonnes of old rice.
