The cabinet of Thai has sanctioned the governance model for the proposed north-south standard gauge network, being developed in partnership with China.
Construction would start in mid-2016.
The 873 km of double-track 1 435 mm gauge main line, which is part of a trans-ASEAN corridor connecting Kunming in southern China with Laos and the gulf of Thailand, would link Nong Khai in the north of Thailand with Bangkok and Map Ta Phut on the south coast.
The cabinet approval builds on an agreement signed between the two countries in November last year.
Under the framework deal, Chinese entities will be responsible for conducting a final feasibility study, railway design, civil work and railway fit-out. The Thai side will take on environmental and social impact assessment, land acquisition, general engineering tasks, power supplies and the procurement of construction materials.
Construction would start in mid-2016.
The 873 km of double-track 1 435 mm gauge main line, which is part of a trans-ASEAN corridor connecting Kunming in southern China with Laos and the gulf of Thailand, would link Nong Khai in the north of Thailand with Bangkok and Map Ta Phut on the south coast.
The cabinet approval builds on an agreement signed between the two countries in November last year.
Under the framework deal, Chinese entities will be responsible for conducting a final feasibility study, railway design, civil work and railway fit-out. The Thai side will take on environmental and social impact assessment, land acquisition, general engineering tasks, power supplies and the procurement of construction materials.