Interview: Sino-Thai railway project set to exemplify "Belt and Road" initiative

The railway cooperation between Thailand and China could play an exemplary role in the implementation of the China-proposed "Belt and Road" initiative, a senior researcher said.

Thailand and China have been negotiating to thrash out details on jointly building a medium-speed railway line. Construction is expected to commence in October.

The railway project, once completed, could serve as a model of the "Belt and Road" initiative and demonstrate to the world how projects of its kind can propel local economy, said Huang Bin from Kasikorn Research Center, a Thai think tank.

It could bring along more projects as the initiative unfolds, Huang said in an interview with Xinhua.

The initiative of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013, is aimed at reviving the famous ancient trade routes that span Asia, Africa and Europe.

The mid-speed railway, with trains running at 160-180 km per hour, will connect northeast Thailand's Nong Khai province, capital Bangkok and eastern Rayong province. It is also expected to join the planned China-Laos railway.

"Thailand's railways will lead all the way to Europe via China' s railway network, making the country the real ASEAN transport hub, " Huang commented.

Thailand stands to gain from its railway cooperation with China, according to Sumet Ongkittikul, research director for transportation and logistics policy under the Thailand Development Research Institute.

Thailand needs a lot of investment and technology from China to be able to proceed with its railway development, Sumet said, stressing it will be beneficial if China's technologies can be transferred to Thailand.

Comparatively, China's railway technologies suit Thailand better at the moment, as it caters to the kingdom's need for cost- effectiveness, Sumet told Xinhua.

Huang echoed Sumet's views, saying that China's railway technology stood out "because of its high cost-effectiveness."

China possesses the most comprehensive technology for high- speed railway systems, the best integration capability, the longest operating mileage, the highest operating speeds and the largest scale of railways under construction, Huang explained.

In addition, Sumet argued that Thailand could also benefit from its improved linkage with China.

Once the railway project is completed, transportation costs will be reduced, which will pave the way for more goods to be traded between Thailand and China, he said.

When the 867-km dual-track line is connected with the China- Laos railway, regional trade, investment, financial exchanges and tourism will boom, according to Huang.

"Rice, rubber, cassava, fruit and other agricultural products will have easier access to the markets of China and the rest of the world, as will industrial products," he said, adding that the economy along the line will grow in leaps and bounds.

Thailand and China have so far held rounds of talks and details on construction costs and credit line are expected to be released in August.

Services on the line, which is divided into four phases, should be gradually available from December 2017 to March 2018, Transport Minister Prajin Juntong said.

To further smooth the cooperation, Huang advised China to try to offer some preferential financing package while Sumet suggested that China give some technical support to the Thai side, for instance, by sending experts to help Thai officials better understand details of the cooperation and thus facilitate their decision-making.

Sumet also insisted that if China and Thailand reach some conclusions or early agreements, the information should be disclosed so as to make the project more transparent and the public well-informed. Endi