Rail talks get Cabinet go-ahead
The Cabinet has approved in principle a framework for negotiations between the government and
Because the framework for negotiations seeks an international agreement, it will have to be approved by Parliament before the government can settle down to negotiate with its Chinese counterpart.
However, the Cabinet rejected a proposal from the Transport Ministry that US$400 million (Bt12.47 billion) in export buyers’ credits be sought from
The Transport Ministry informed the Cabinet yesterday of progress in the plan to cooperate with
The entire project, from Nong Khai to
According to the Cabinet document, a preliminary study of the Nong Khai-Bangkok route says it will cover a total distance of 615 kilometres. The track will run through a tunnel of about 10km and will be elevated over a distance of 59km.
The high-speed train will travel at no less than 200 kilometres per hour. It will be electrically powered, and studies have shown that existing power supplies will be sufficient.
Since the railway will have to cross the
Sophon travelled to
On
The Cabinet has assigned the Transport Ministry to conduct a public hearing on the high-speed-train project, in accordance with the requirements of the Constitution.
The Cabinet was also told that during Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva’s visit to