According to the company's survey report, 80 of the projects comprise residential buildings with between eight and 45 storeys. Eight of the projects consist of office buildings, two of entertainment complexes, two are big complexes, two are shopping centres, three are hotels and one is a market.

Sombat Kitjalaksana, the company's managing director, said the projects would be constructed on a stretch of 20 km from Hua Lampong to Bang Su. Part of the project is expected to be opened later this year. As a result, subway demand is likely to increase from 200,000 passengers per day this year to 230,000-250,000 passengers next year.

Agricultural cooperation

Thailand, Vietnam sign rice accord

Thailand and Vietnam recently reached a working accord to exchange information on the rice market and exports to their strengthen bargaining power in the world market.

 Thailand, the world's biggest rice exporter, and Vietnam, the world's second-largest exporter, are trying to stabilise world market prices to reflect farmers' real production cost.

 Rachane Potjanasuntorn, director-general of the Foreign Trade Department, said the two countries held a meeting of senior officials in We, Vietnam on September 15. The meeting was chaired by Vietnam's deputy trade minister, Pham The Rue.

The key agreements reached include a plan to exchange information to facilitate stock management and address oversupply problems. Both sides will exchange information on their rice production in the past nine months and marketing plans for next year. Thailand and Vietnam will revise their rice cooperation. Rice exporters in the two countries will hold joint seminars on the rice trade in Bangkok next month.

Senior officials of the two countries will meet in Bangkok late next year to review the fruits of the cooperation. Thailand expects rice exports of 7.5 million tonnes this year, while Vietnam expects to export 5 million tonnes.