Article 44 opens throttle on high-speed railway
The government on Thursday night formally stated that it would use Article 44 to override obstacles to the Chinese-built high-speed railway, publishing its plan in the Royal Gazette.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha invoked the powerful article of the interim constitution so that legal impediments slowing the project can be bypassed. These involve government procurements and working licences for Chinese engineers, among other items.
Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak said on Friday the use of Article 44 would get the long-delayed project off the ground.
He said the railway linking Bangkok and Nakhon Ratchasima would be Thailand’s contribution to China’s One Belt One Road initiative, for which a high-speed transportation route through Laos, Malaysia and Singapore is already in place.
Somkid said the regional project would speed the movement of goods and passengers and thus be in Thailand’s interest.
Several Thai academics and engineers have, however, opposed the use of Article 44, fearing that China could take advantage of the legal loopholes it opens.
