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The rail link was approved after months of negotiations and disputes

A consortium led by CP Group, which includes China Railway Construction Corporation, will be building the 220km railway line

Thailand’s plans for a new US$7.4 billion high-speed rail link from Bangkok to the tourist town of Pattaya got the go-ahead on Thursday after months of negotiations that spilled over into public acrimony.

The Thai government said it had signed an agreement on Thursday to begin construction with a consortium led by conglomerate Charoen Pokphand (CP) Group and including China Railway Construction Corporation.

Some Japanese banks have also agreed to provide part of the financing for the link, which will span 220km (137 miles) and is expected to start operating in 2023.

The government approved 119 billion baht for the investment, while the private sector will invest 117 billion baht.

After the 50-year project period, all assets will be transferred to the government. Other terms of the agreement were not made public.

CP Group and 12 other companies were selected for the project by Thailand’s former military government.

The project will link Bangkok’s main airport Suvarnabhumi to Don Muang airport – another airport in Bangkok used by low-cost carriers – and Pattaya’s U-Tapao airport, enabling trains to travel at up to 250km/h (155mph), according to the project’s website.

Other stations included are including Phaya Thai Station, Makkasan Station, Chachoengsao Station, Chon Buri Station, Sriracha Station with Trat and Rayong added in the future.

Source:

Reuters

South China Morning Post