Foreign investors to be allowed to bid for high speed train projects
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The Transport Ministry will allow foreign investors to submit their proposals for developing high speed train projects in September and October with an eye to kicking off the projects next year.
The ministry will also start conducting environmental impact assessments for the four high speed train routes in June with the target to commence construction by 2017-18, Chula Sukmanop, director-general of the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning, said Wednesday.
The northern, southern, northeastern and western routes would not only link Bangkok to the provinces and also link Thailand with Asean country members after the Asean Economic Community (AEC) goes into effect in 2015, he told a seminar on the transportation network as the way to develop the city organised by Thansetthakij newspaper.
The ministry also is studying business models to develop the high speed trains, including a joint venture with the private sector.
The Nation
