CityNews – Transport Minister Prajin Juntong has told national press that he he expects Japan to begin construction of the new Bangkok – Chiang Mai high speed rail line early next year.
He told the Bangkok Post that both a Bangkok – Chiang Mai and a Kanchanaburi – Aranyaprathet line have been designed and now just await a cabinet approval on May 19, in order to finalise the memorandum with Japan and begin construction.
The new line to Chiang Mai will be modernised high-speed rail line, connecting the capital with the north (670 kilometres) and will be used as part of a planned rail route linking China’s Kunming province to Bangkok via Vientiane, Laos.
Japan, using its experience in planning a Singapore – Malaysia line that was last week postponed indefinitely, promised to help Thailand develop technologies and train a relevant workforce as part of the deal.