Thread: Prayut In China, Backs China Help On Transport Plans & Yuan Currency

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha greets his host, President Xi Jinping, before the two countries held a meeting on the sidelines of the Apec summit in Beijing on Sunday. (Reuters photo)

Bangkok Post
November 10, 2014
Writer: Bangkok Post and AP

The government backs Chinese involvement in Thai transport projects, the premier told the Chinese leader Sunday.

Thailand also has expressed its appreciation for China’s involvement in a highway stretching nearly 2,000km linking Kunming in southern China to Bangkok.

In Beijing, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and Chinese President Xi Jinping discussed the mammoth R3A Highway project, as well as a dual-track railway connecting the countries and others en route. Gen Prayut said he backed Chinese joint ventures in transport here.

They were speaking ahead of the 22nd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit that begins today. Gen Prayut said he valued the project because it would contribute to economic development. The 1,887km highway passes through Laos and enter Thailand at Chiang Rai province.

Government spokesman Yongyuth Maiyalap said Gen Prayut told the Chinese president that Thailand supports a Chinese policy to push the yuan as an international currency.

Meanwhile, Mr Xi is promising US$40 billion (1.3 trillion baht) to help Asian nations improve trade links in a new effort to assert Beijing’s ambitions as a regional leader. He made the pledge in a meeting with the leaders of Pakistan, Bangladesh and five other Asian nations, Chinese state media reported Sunday.

Prayut backs China help | Bangkok Post: news

Bangkok Post
November 12, 2014
Writer: Post Reporters

China is to loan Thailand cash to construct three dual-track railways as part of a government-to-government deal to boost regional transport links.

The agreement was made at a full-delegation meeting led by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha. The meeting followed bilateral talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday.

Gen Prayut said Tuesday at the Apec summit in Beijing that the project will cover three routes — Bangkok-Nong Khai, Bangkok-Map Ta Phut and Kaeng Khoi-Map Ta Phut.

The new tracks will allow better transportation from the Northeast to industrial areas in Rayong and will be a good start in developing links between Thailand, Asean and China, he said. They will accommodate mid-speed trains at first but could eventually be used for high-speed services.

The Chinese government will provide a loan to Thailand to allow the development of the lines. Under the arrangement, Thailand will be able to repay the investment costs to China with rubber and rice. Exact details of the "soft loan" arrangement are yet to be worked out.

"We have agreed to build the dual-track rail routes using 1.435-metre standard gauge to improve transport connectivity," Gen Prayut said. "China expressed a readiness to support the construction."

"If we don't start construction now, it will prove an obstacle to transport in the future. We have to make a decisive move, otherwise transport development will be delayed and the cost of the project will increase."

Gen Prayut said the government is holding negotiations on plans to develop several rail routes, but the agreement with China is being made under a "transparent" government-to-government deal, without the involvement of private companies.

"A full delegation has discussed it and I can assure people the deal will not have any adverse affect on the country," Gen Prayut said. "A number of countries are interested in developing railway projects in Thailand but not on these routes."

The premier added that the government will make sure there is no graft in the dual-track rail projects with China or any forthcoming transport development, arguing the country has already been damaged enough by corruption.

"We cannot allow corruption to occur in these projects because we've been damaged by such activities for too long. In terms of the contract with China, the government will make everything transparent and follow all related laws," Gen Prayut said.

The majority of planned dual-track railway development in the country is set to involve one-metre wide tracks, to match existing train lines. But one-metre dual tracks can only accommodate trains at speeds of up to 160kph.

The 1.435-metre standard-gauge tracks that China will help develop could serve trains at speeds of up to 250 kph, although feasibility studies must be carried out to confirm this, Gen Prayut said. "We will proceed with dual-track railways and mid-speed trains at first," he said. "This will be a New Year's present for the Thai people in 2015."

Shortly after the end of the Apec Summit, Gen Prayut and his delegation left China for Myanmar to attend the Asean Summit and related meetings today and tomorrow.

Full article: Dual-track trains to get China loan | Bangkok Post: news

Wonder if this was the work of the present govt or the last govt.

http://www.thai-japanasso.or.th/down...art1_p1_42.pdf

^^
The full article at the BP link shows a map of the routes and states "Graphic below shows the government's plans, inherited from the Yingluck Shinawatra administration, to upgrade key railway lines from single- to double-tracking."

seems it is viable after all

considering the track had already been agreed in laos in 2010.

wonder if the payment options where the same rice and rubber.

Originally Posted by Sumocakewalk

Thailand supports a Chinese policy to push the yuan as an international currency.

Obviously he didn't understand the question when asked; "does Thailand support the Chinese Yaun?" "Yes, Thailand fully supports the same thing its called the Thai Yawn."

Oh, you mean currency. We have only one currency and its solid as a rock! I'm sorry sir, I have no US dollars to pay you. Will you accept some of this worthless Chinese Yaun? Get the Fuk outa here you filthy wog.

Ahhhhh OK

You with Safe house.?