The Transport Ministry has accelerated an investment plan for improving Thailand's logistics networks and will soon submit it to the Cabinet for approval, according to a source.

The source said the logistics improvement proposals received a big push after Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont agreed to preside over a committee to consider the national plan.

The National Economic and Social Development Board will provide a secretary for the committee.

Transport Ministry officials expect to finish work on the plan on Monday. One of its highlights is the acceleration of some projects under the original logistics strategy so that these projects can begin within the term of the interim government.

The source said the meeting would focus on several projects, including the construction of twin rail tracks to provide transport services from the lower part of the North and Northeast, linking Nakhon Sawan and Nakhon Ratchasima to Laem Chabang Port. This project will require investment of Bt5.2 billion.

The State Railway of Thailand will invest in the project and a joint venture between the Port Authority of Thailand, the SRT and private firms will be formed to purchase locomotives and rolling stock to run commercial services.

Such a joint venture between private and public sectors is expected to increase the amount of merchandise transported by rail. At present it is carried by trucks at high expense. The Transport Ministry will also propose rejecting the government's plan to use barter trade to buy locomotives worth between Bt700 million to Bt800 million for the SRT. It believes the joint venture, when it is established, should handle the purchase of locomotives.

Moreover, the new joint venture will be expected to implement a project to improve water transport along the Chao Phya River by upgrading the Nuan Chawee at Pak Kret so that big ferries can pass through the bridge to facilitate water transport from the North to the South.

The logistics development plan was formulated during the Thaksin administration, but there was little progress.

Surayud's decision to chair the logistics improvement committee, after meeting with private sector interests on the issue, should accelerate progress.

Watcharapong Thongrung

The Nation