Govt urged to invest in new infrastructure
The construction of a double-track railway to link Bangkok and Padang Besar in Malaysia as well as the upgrade of highway along the Andaman coast to four lanes are among the infrastructure projects to be proposed by the private sector.
Payungsak Chartsutipol, chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries, said that the proposals would be submitted to Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra when she presides over the joint public and private sector meeting in Phuket during March 19-20.
He said that the investment - aimed at reducing the logistics cost - would accommodate business expansion as well as an increase in the number of tourists.
It's impossible for the private sector to invest in projects worth hundreds of billion baht, he said.
The private sector will also ask the government to tackle congestion problems at Suvarnabhumi Airport, following complaints from businessmen and tourists that they need to be at the airport 3 hours in advance of flight time, instead of 2 hours. Without fast solutions, this would tarnish Thailand's image, he added.
According to Tanit Sorat, a vice chairman, businessmen in the South will also propose a railroad from the Andaman coast to the Gulf of Thailand, to facilitate shipments - particularly manufactured goods and para wood - to Malaysia. They will also push for the development of coastal ports.
