Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith made the announcement on Friday after a meeting of a Thai-Chinese joint working committee on the project. Both sides have agreed to return to the original plan by extending the project to Nong Khai, Mr Arkhom said. Work was supposed to have started on the rail line in October 2015 but the two sides remained far apart on financing. Meanwhile, the Transport Ministry urged Thai firms to partner with overseas counterparts to invest in domestic production of parts and accessories for rail systems to help bolster rail development. Deputy Transport Minister Ormsin Chivapruck said such partnerships would contribute to the government's rail development policy which seeks to promote the manufacturing of components domestically and local assembly to reduce dependence on imports.

Source: Bangkok Post December 03, 2016 01:42 UTC