AMORRATMAHITTHROok»The start of construction for the dualrail way from Nong Khai to was pushed Rayong back to December after Beijing's quote for two parts project was 30% higher than originally estimated Transport Minister Arkhom Termpir ayapaisith made the disclosure after eports last week said China and Thailand d failed to strike a compromise on the dual track rail project After earlier setbacks, construcuon had been set go ahead on a Now the work wilihn been delayed by nine months under way in December The 400 billion baht rail roule, which will connect Nang Khai province on the border with Laos to MapTa Phut in Rayong province, has been split into sections covered by four separate contracts Mr Arkhom said Thai Chinese officials met last week to discuss project details, including surveys and construc tion design, but mot several issues, particularly the costs of two out of our sections The four parts of the project are Bang kok Kaeng Khoi, Kaeng Koi Map phut Kaeng Khoi Nakhen atchasinia and Nong Khai Mr Arkhom said China has now quoted costs for the Bangkok Kaeng khai and Kaeng Khoi-Nakhon Ralchasima con- tracts, but these are 30 higher than orig inal estimates. China is yet to provide quotes for the projected costs and revenues for the other two sections. "The two sides have not agreed on many issues Mr Arkhom said. t will push the construction starting date from October to December Despite the delay, Mr Arkhom said he was confident the construction will get oll the ground before the end prihe government will hire a consultancy he firm to estimate the costs of the project separately, to assess whether the increase in the original estimate is valid China will fine-tune its design for the project and present details to the goverm- ment in one month, he added The Thai and Chinese governments are setting up a legal entity known as a"spe cial purpose to manage financial investment for the scheme. A dedicated team is already working on devising how much investment will be required from each side. Their work will conclude in the next two to three weeks. Mr Arkhom said has promised to offer the best deal on a to finance the project, while the Transport Ministry has asked China to speed the design ot the Kaeng Koi Map Ta Phut and Nakhon the Ratchasima Nong Khai sections, to make em- up for the other delays. The minister said the two delayed sec s are tions were hardest to design because the spe- routes pass through mountainous areas. cial The challenge is to keep the routes as ated straight as possible to ensure the project stays om budget, he said, adding that the from design inevitably involves buildingtunnels the and bridges. The two governments are also talking about how to prepare the manpower to project.personnel will be sent to China fortechnical training