The government plans to launch a bullet-train project next year, Deputy Prime Minister Trairong Suwankhiri said yesterday.
The government wants people to be able to travel to any part of the country by rail within five hours, he told a press conference after meeting with officials from the Finance and Transport ministries.
Officials say investment for high-speed rail routes from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, the Thai-Malaysian border, Rayong, Nong Khai and Ubon Ratchatani would cost about Bt800 billion.
Bangkok to Rayong would the first line to be built at an estimated cost of Bt56 billion, said Trairong.
He said the government would invite investors from China, Japan, France and Germany to participate in the projects.
The government may invest in the infrastructure while investors would invest in the rolling stock, he added.
"The government will start the project before the next general election. I assure you the government will survive for another year," said the deputy PM.
