Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha ordered related agencies yesterday to rev up prioritising infrastructure investment projects in northern Thailand, covering not only air but also land infrastructure, water management, tourism promotion, and value addition to farm products.
They were also ordered to speed up studying the rate of investment returns in the high-speed development project linking Bangkok and Chiang Mai.
Speaking after a joint meeting with the private sector and governors of northern provinces, Gen Prayut said related authorities need to come up with a comprehensive investment strategy for the northern region, including the investment return of the much-touted Thai-Japanese bullet train project.
Porametee Vomolsiri, secretary-general of the National Economic and Social Development Board, said at the meeting the private sector called on the government to speed up the high-speed train development, but the government sees the investment proposal by Japan as quite expensive.
Japan concluded its study on the Bangkok-Chiang Mai bullet train construction this month, estimating investment costs of up to 420 billion baht and fares of just over 1,000 baht a trip.
The plan calls for 12 stations with the whole trip taking about three-and-a-half hours, with top speeds reaching 300kph.
Plans for the first phase of the project, Bangkok to Phitsanulok, are to be submitted to the cabinet for approval by February.
The Transport Ministry's estimate for the initial 380km route was 280 billion baht.
Gen Prayut said related agencies need to conduct a thorough study of the region's urban and business development along the rail areas.
Mr Porametee said the joint meeting also requested the Transport Ministry set as a priority the development of a second airport at Chiang Mai, an expansion of existing airports at Lampang, Phrae and Nan.
He said the private sector also proposed the government accelerate the development of the new rail network linking Den Chai, Chiang Rai and Chiang Khong, and the double track rail linking Lop Buri-Pak Nam Pho-Den Chai and Chiang Mai.
Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith said the double track rail linking Lop Buri-Pak Nam Pho-Den Chai-Chiang Mai is scheduled to go for cabinet approval in March next year, while the Chiang Mai-Chiang Rai motorway is under a feasibility study.
The Chiang Mai-Chiang Rai motorway is expected to link with the R3A highway, which connects southern China, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand.
Earlier, the Highways Department said the motorway would stretch 185km. The project is undergoing a feasibility study on cost, engineering and environmental impact.
