PM: High-speed train will help agriculturists

KHON KAEN, Nov 28 - A planned joint investment high-speed train project between Thailand and China will help farm growers in the northeastern region in releasing their produce to market, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Sunday.

Mr Abhisit told members of chambers of commerce nationwide meeting in Khon Kaen that detailed discussion underway with the Chinese authorities and construction of the high-speed train with the speed of 200 kilometres per hour could be finished four years if negotiations are settled in 2011.

Under the scheme, the high-speed train would be connected with another train project running from China’s Yunnan province to Laos there connects with Thailand's northeastern province of Nong Khai, and then passes Bangkok to the eastern province of Rayong. The high-speed train will run South toward Malaysia and Indonesia.

The distance between Bangkok and Nong Khai is about 640 kilometres.

Mr Abhisit said the government is determined to improve the livelihood of farmers and tourism in the northeast and the high-speed train project will
help strengthen and enable farmers to release their products (to market) faster.

Regarding corruption problems in government projects, Mr Abhisit said the problem must also be solved by the private sector.

He said the state's procurement system by the state must be rectified immediately, especially on median price and the Budget Bureau is now trying to standardise it.

Once the procurement system is readied, the corruption practice could be solved, said Mr Abhisit. (MCOT online news)