Logistics operators are calling on the new government to continue with a plan to build a railway from Laem Chabang deep-sea port to Kanchanaburi to support the massive Dawei industrial complex being developed in Burma.
They also want Thai officials to persuade the Burmese government to reopen the border checkpoint in Mae Sot in Tak province to help revive trade between the two countries.
Tanit Sorat, vice-chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), said the Democrat Party's plan to develop a railway linking Laem Chabang port in Chon Buri with Baan Phu Nam Ron in Kanchanaburi should be pursued. The line should connect with Dawei in southwestern Burma under the so-called West Gate policy on which the two countries have agreed.
Dawei, where a deep-sea port will be built along with a large industrial estate, will facilitate shipments from Thailand which has no port on the western Andaman coast, as the cabinet has shelved plans for a port at Pak Bara in Satun province.
The East-West rail line would cover a distance of no more than 300 kilometres and in some places would make use of existing tracks, said Mr Tanit, who is also the head of the FTI's Logistics Industry Club.
"Dawei is a good project but so far nothing has become clear about this project in the neighbouring country including the sources of financing," he said.
As well, more transport links with other neighbouring countries in the Greater Mekong Sub-region such as Laos and Cambodia must be strengthened to facilitate Thai exports when the Asean Economic Community (AEC) is established in 2015, he added.
Italian-Thai Development Plc (ITD), Thailand's largest contractor, has been awarded a 10-year contract to develop Dawei's infrastructure and projects.
Thanet Sorat, vice-president of the logistics service provider V-Serve Group, said a reopening of the Mae Sot border checkpoint in Tak was also vital to the success of the Dawei project.
The checkpoint has been closed since last year, with the Burmese government citing security concerns related to clashes with Karen rebels in the area.
Mae Sot-Myawaddy is a major checkpoint on the border for exports of Thai products destined for Rangoon but so far there is no sign the Burmese government will reopen it, said Mr Thanet.
Source: http://www.bangkokpost.com/business/economics/240757/east-west-rail-link-needed
