Developing transport infrastructure to increase regional connectivity is one of the Thai Government’s strategies to prepare for its integration into the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), which will be formed later this year.

Illustrative image (Source: AFP/VNA)

Envisaging a bright future for the over 600-million-strong community, Thailand is paying heed to infrastructure in order to turn itself into a gateway for trade, investment and tourism in ASEAN, Minister of Transport Arhkom Termpittayapaisith said.

The country is striving to complete transport projects in the north-south and east-west routes quickly to connect with other nations in the region and major economic partners in the bloc, he added.

The Thai Government has implemented major infrastructure projects worth over 2.2 trillion baht (66.7 billion USD) in the past years.

The infrastructure development programme includes the construction of a high-speed railway, a dual-track rail network and a transit rail system in Bangkok. It will also improve the road system that connects with ASEAN economic corridors, upgrade seaports and airports, and develop border trade.

(Source: VNA)