Thailand to spend $85b on transportation mega projects
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Buy SPH photosBANGKOK (AFP) - Thailand's cabinet on Tuesday approved a plan to spend US$68 billion (S$85 billion) on a high-speed railway and other transportation mega projects to drive the nation's economic development.
Under the seven-year scheme, 200 high-speed trains will whizz across the kingdom on four lines linking the capital Bangkok with the north, south and east of the country.
"The projects, which will focus on electric trains and dual tracks, will completely change Thailand, and they will start next year," said Transport Minister Chatchai Sitthipan.
The high-speed rail lines will be built in two stages and eventually link Bangkok with the Malaysian and Lao borders, as well as the northern city of Chiang Mai, the seaside resort of Pattaya and areas further to the east.
