Thailand to seek cooperation from China on land bridge project

Energy Minister Prommin Lertsuridej will lead a Thai delegation to visit China in November to forge close cooperation in the Land Bridge Project in the southern region of Thailand.
The Deputy Permanent Secretary for Energy, Pornchai Rujiprapa, disclosed that the visit to China of the Dr Prommin-led delegation was at the invitation of senior officials of Beijing.

China plans to invest in several energy projects including a joint venture with Myanmar and an oil pipeline link with Russia. However, such projects remain insufficient for an increased demand from the Chinese population of more than 1.3 bn. So, he said, Beijing had expressed clear intention to enter into a joint venture in the Land Bridge Project.
So far, three state-owned firms in China have shown their interest in joining the project. Which company would be become a partner depended on Beijing’s decision, he said. Mr Pornchai said the Land Bridge Project was initiated with an aim to enhance the stability of energy affairs in Asia.

China and South Korea have urged Thailand to finalize the project. A Thai working team has planned a trip to the Middle East to seek a clear stance from potential partners. It is expected that the number of partners in the project will be known by the end of this year.
Meanwhile, he said, the ministry’s officials had made field trips to give people in local areas proper understanding of the need to implement the project. A study on the continuing business and possible effects on environment is being made and local potential partners are being sought. He believed the project would get off the ground in 2006, and would be completed in 2010 as planned.