Not 2 trillion baht for infrastructure but 3 trillion
As if it can't be done: not 2 trillion baht, as the previous government had planned, but 3 trillion baht wants to allocate a strategy committee of the Ministry of Transport for infrastructure works.
The commission maintains most of the projects of the previous government and adds new projects in the field of aviation and water transport.
The junta previously decided to freeze plans for the construction of four high-speed lines. She does not consider those lines to be economically viable and that will result in savings of 800 billion baht. The projects added by the committee push the costs up to 3 trillion baht.
Somchai Siriwattanachoke, permanent secretary of the Ministry of Transport and chair of the strategy committee, says the infrastructure works will be completed between next year and 2022.
On 19 June, he will have a meeting with Prajin Juntong, who holds the economic affairs portfolio in the NCPO. The aviation and water transport projects were added at Prajin's request, according to Somchai. The 2 trillion plan mainly envisaged the expansion of the road network and rail projects.
The priority is the doubling of 1.364 kilometers of track over six routes. The new projects include the construction of a deep-sea port, the expansion of Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports, the construction of new aviation control facilities and the purchase of new aircraft for Thai Airways International.
Just refresh your memory. The 2 trillion plan of the previous government has been swept aside by the Constitutional Court, because it would be financed outside the budget and parliament would therefore be sidelined. About the financing of the 3 trillion baht, the article only reports that the Ministry of Transport will discuss this with the Budget Bureau.
(Source: Bangkok Post, June 13, 2014)
It is becoming increasingly interesting to compare the current measures with the absolutely 'impermissible' plans of the last government. What was then called odious populism has now been upgraded to “the return of the happiness of the people”, including free football matches. Dubious financing (from bought-off football rights to rice payments) is now called a decisive approach. And the above somewhat megalomaniac plans are not withdrawn, but expanded (obviously not for the benefit of specific stakeholders, but of the whole population). In short, the previous government was not so crazy, but it should have taken more into account a couple of other luxury horses that want to eat from the same rack.
Jan.
You're going a bit short-sighted.
Indeed, the total price goes up, but the crazy plans for high-speed lines disappear.
And with that immensely many possibilities of unclear money traffic.
What is now being set in motion is the planning and implementation of infrastructure works that have, as it were, been rotting on a poorly functioning hot plate for years.
Doubling the tracks is and has been necessary for years to reduce the crazy high transport prices of almost everything, road transport eats up subsidies and is nevertheless terribly expensive.
It is to be expected that many products may not fall in price, but will become more stable.
Expanding the seaports is desperately needed, what there is now costs capital in delays.
Aviation security in and around Thailand is unavoidable, capacity is really at the end of its tether.
Expansion of the two major airports in Bangkok is inevitable given the growth of air traffic to, from and via Thailand.
Most plans involve more jobs, improving economic conditions that may directly or indirectly benefit the population.
The construction and operation of the HSL lines would largely benefit…..China, with of course the immense potential for…..yes.
Indeed, the planning will be 50% more expensive.
But with realistic consequences.
I think and hope.
And what do you think of the railway network in Thailand? Ok not a speed train, but so what.
Everyone should be able to see , even if you are not a technician like me .
That the whole railway stock is totally and totally worn out.
And I'm not talking about the rails and the recently renovated sleepers, but about the rolling stock.
The junta 's option , continue with that old junk for a few more years .
The railways in Thailand can best be compared as a still running museum.
I think this is beautiful, I love trains and history, but it is no longer of this time
There is more to choose between an old fare and a high-speed train.
Apparently the old and the new bobos have never heard of it.
Jan Beute.
A Hispeed train like that doesn't take you to many places.
And usually to places where you can also go by plane.
And which Thai will be willing and able to afford that HST ticket, especially if traveling by bus is dirt cheap. And the prices of the Minivans are even lower. And the better-off takes the plane, which is also very cheap.
Well, HSL in Thailand, I don't think it will be a feasible project either,,,, and why,
there are still routes where the thai does not have to buy a ticket, but the farang does.
The argument of railway employees is that Thais have no money for a ticket and can travel freely. and they still see us farang as the rich foreigner.
Indeed, if you don't let many Thais pay for a ticket, how will the maintenance be paid for?
How does the driver get paid and the ticket inspector, etc
And then the HSL, there will be a brief curiosity with some passengers, and then it will fade away because the ticket price for Thais is too high.
Modernize the old with better trains, get rid of wooden benches, pay everyone, and things will be a lot better.
By the way, it's nice with this old nostalgia, on a short route, but just travel 11 hours in such a bomb
If you have the money to stay in Thailand, you are a wealthy foreigner.
At least much richer than many Thai people.
And also much richer than many Dutch people who have never been able to afford a ticket to Thailand.
And that maintenance?
Well that is very late.
I thought the railroads are big landowners (all the land along the railroads, often illegally housed).
There will also be some money coming from there.