Joint Sino-Thai $10.6b rail deal settled
Published: Mon, 2014-12-22 16:44China and Thailand expanded joint cooperation on railways on 19 of December, advancing in linking regional transportation under Beijing's Silk Road initiative.
Premier Li Keqiang and his Thai counterpart Prayut Chan-o-cha celebrated at the signing of a long-anticipated rail deal that had been adjourned before because of political turbulence in Thailand.
According to contract, Chinese companies will design and build a high-speed line to ease transportation into and out of Bangkok — the second-largest city in Southeast Asia after Jakarta.
The deal, authorized by the Thai legislative assembly this month, covers the building of dual-track rail lines designed to carry trains running at speeds of 160 to 180 km per hour.
The 734-km project will connect Thailand's Nong Khai province with Bangkok. A 133-km branch line will be built to the eastern province of Rayong.
The new lines will link with the planned China-Laos railway and will have a high economic return.
Source: Xinhua