The Transport Ministry has drawn up

The Transport Ministry has drawn up a plan to connect transportation routes between Thailand and its neighboring countries before the introduction of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC).

Transport Minister Charupong Ruangsuwan has stated that the Ministry's plan for the upcoming AEC is to focus on the basic infrastructure, especially roads and railways that connect Thailand to the neighboring countries. The plan is aimed to promote Thailand to be the hub of trade and investment when the AEC is established.

At this preliminary stage, the ministry will also focus on the development of Laem Chabang Port and 8 border checkpoints in an effort to facilitate people and business entrepreneurs traveling to and from Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos. The plan is expected to complete in September.

Mr. Charupong also mentioned the high-speed train system, saying the ministry is conducting a research on the project. There will be 4 high-speed rail lines in total, two of which will be built in the first phase of the project; they are the Bangkok-Phitsanulok Line and the Bangkok-Hua Hin Line.

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Copyright Thai News Service Group Aug 29, 2012