Thailand’s MoT to develop projects in line with BIMSTEC plans

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The Ministry of Transport (MoT) of Thailand will develop plans for infrastructure projects that will boost connectivity between the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) nations. The BIMSTEC comprises Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. Public expenditure will be increased for new road and connectivity project in line with the BIMSTEC Master Plan on Transport Connectivity. The projects will also link the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) and the Southern Economic Corridor (SEC) with South Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. Some of the road projects include the Bang Yai-Kanchanaburi Motorway, which is scheduled for completion in 2024 while ports and maritime transport projects include the development of Terminal F at LaemChabang Port, which is scheduled for completion in 2025. Rail projects under development include Chachoengsao – Khlong Sip Kao Junction – KaengKhoi Junction Railway, which links transport systems between Northeastern provinces and eastern seaports in Thailand. The MoT is also working on two cross country projects between the BIMSTEC including a  land-bridge project between the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea, which is currently undergoing a feasibility study by the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning. Another project is the Motorway-Rail Network (MR-Map), which will undertake development of major roadways and rail in major districts in Thailand. The government has shortlisted ten routes for the project, totalling 7,000 km.