Interview: Time to upgrade domestic railway system: Thai PM

Thailand's Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva gestures during a parliamentary session for a debate by the opposition at the Parliament in Bangkok May 31, 2010. (Xinhua/Reuters File Photo)

Domestic transportation development seems one of the priorities in Abhisit Vejjajiva's working agenda as Thailand's Prime Minister as he is setting Longyang mag-lev railway station as his first stop in his visit to Shanghai, China on September 4 and 5.

"The 5th of September was designated as a national day to Thailand (in the World Expo in Shanghai), I will be there to show my support as well as to reaffirm the close ties between Thailand and China," he said when talking about his upcoming trip, the second time for him to visit China since he came to power in December 2008.

Before giving the interview at 8 o'clock on Thursday morning at Government House, Abhisit just finished an early morning meeting upstairs.

After Thailand underwent a chronic political unrest from mid- March to May, now the prime minister seems trying to lead the country back to a more constructive way.

Yes, this government has made it a very clear policy that it is really the time to upgrade our infrastructure, said Abhisit. "We believe we have the means, finance and resources (in place)." He said over the next four, five years, the government is making substantial investment in terms of transportation, both in roads and in railways.

"Discussions have already been under way between Thailand and China on the possibility of cooperation in terms of connecting up Thailand and our neighboring countries through new rail network," he said.


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