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This would directly support the government's mass-transit extension project, he told a seminar for officials and the media on the Japanese mass-transit system.

The Bangkok plan is in two stages. The first will take the Purple Line from Bang Yai to Bang Sue, the Blue Line from Bang Sue to Tha Phra and from Hua Lamphong to Bang Khae, the Green Line from Mor Chit to Saphan Mai and the Light Green Line from Sukhumvit 107 to Samut Prakan.

Santi noted that the Purple Line terms of reference were already out to bidders and that the other first-stage lines had passed environmental-impact assessments.

The second will take the Orange Line from Bang Bamru to Bang Kapi, the Brown Line from Bang Kapi to Min Buri, the Green Line from Saphan Mai to Lam Lukka, the Blue Line around an inner ring taking in Ratchadaphisek Road, the Purple Line extension from Bang Sue to Pom Prachun and the Yellow Line around an outer ring.

Samti said Kawasaki, Nippon Sharyo ,Tokyu Car Corporation, Kinki Sharyo and Sumitomo Corporation were interested in investing in Thailand.

He said the second stage would cover 275 kilometres and need 826 bogies and that the government wanted to buy locomotives and rolling stock from private companies with assembly plants in Thailand.

The Kingdom would acquire useful know-how and jobs, he said.

A high-level source at the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand confirmed that Japanese companies were keen to invest in Thailand but said they were waiting for government investment privileges on the tax front.