Latest News
HomeAsia-PacificMilitary ready to move forward on transport infrastructure
Thailand

Military ready to move forward on transport infrastructure

The Military government is ready to relaunch in priority transport infrastructure which have come to a still stand following the collapse of an effective government since late January. A priority if Thailand wants to remain a transport hub for the Western area of the future ASEAN economic area.

BANGKOK – Bangkok Post daily newspaper reported on Monday evening that the military government of General Prayuth Chan-ocha is ready to move forward with the 2-trillion baht budget (US$ 62 billion) to modernize Thailand’s transportation. The plan was adopted over a year ago by the former civil government of Yingluck Shinawatra but it was watered down as the political crisis paralyzed any government decision. According to the Bangkok Post, the military invited former Transport Minister Chadchart Sittipunt for a discussion on the various projects decided by its government.
 
The military’s policy will look at relaunching immediately all the projects including the high speed train, provided there is a support from the public and a consensus from all parties involved into the development. If all is run properly, the projects could be indeed come back to life quicker than before. A real advantage of the current military administration is the fact that democratic procedures in parliament have been suspended. It will then help to avoid the usual squabbles which occurred at Thai parliament among parties…
 
An Environmental impact assessment (EIA) of all project will take place indicated to the Bangkok Post Col Nattawat Chancharoen, deputy spokesman of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO). A referendum could even be organized with the communities whch could be affected by the projects. Soldiers could be affected to the development of the various projects to help reduce some of the cost burden.
 
During the Yingluck government, the opposition slowdown the launch of the project due to its high costs. The Supreme Court even managed to suspend and cancel the project under pressure of the opposition last March, pretexting that the plan was illegal and against the constitution. At least, Military will look more at the warrants of Thailand’s future…
 
But the project that will proceed this year is to provide dual-track rail throughout the country. The Budget Bureau has been told to find the money, and the State Railways of Thailand will determine the most appropriate route to begin with.

 

+ Articles

Luc Citrinot a French national is a freelance journalist and consultant in tourism and air transport with over 20 years experience. Based in Paris and Bangkok, he works for various travel and air transport trade publications in Europe and Asia.

03/05/2024
02/05/2024
30/04/2024
29/04/2024