The Transport Ministry will hold contract talks with China for the joint high-speed railway project during the ASEAN Summit in November. (Photo: bangkokpost.com)

Local media quoted Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob as saying on September20 that Chinese Premier Li Keqiang will also attend the 35th ASEANSummit and related summits in Bangkok.

Thai officials and theirChinese counterparts have yet to reach a deal on the so-called “Contract 2.3”worth about 50 billion THB (1.64 billion USD), which covers the cost ofpurchasing tracks, an electricity system, machinery, procurement of traincarriages and training.

Contract 2.3 is one of 14 separate deals that are required for the project’sfirst phase, including construction of 125-billion THB section stretching 252.5kilometres from Bangkok to Nakhon Ratchasima.

Meanwhile, Ruth Banomyong,an academic at Thammasat University’s Department of International Business,Logistics and Transport, said diplomatic and financial officials havequestioned whether the Thai Government has enough money to finance the secondphase of the joint project in the northeastern region.

The second phase is a 355-kilometre-long section from Nakhon Ratchasima to NongKhai, which cost about 200 billion THB./.VNA