BANGKOK, Sept 5 -- Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, now visiting the World Expo in Shanghai, said Sunday the Cabinet will consider a framework of negotiations in the next two weeks between Thailand and China to begin consideration of building high-speed rail lines to carry trains travelling at 200 kilometres per hour in Thailand.
Mr Abhisit said in his weekly TV and radio address that Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, Korbsak Sabhavasu, secretary-general to the prime minister, and senior officials of Transport Ministry had discussed the upcoming talks between officials of the two countries.
The Cabinet is expected to consider the issue in the next two weeks before sending it to Parliament, he said.
At a Saturday evening reception, Mr Abhisit told Thai officials, the business community and students residing in Shanghai that he is optimistic that Thai economy this year would grow between 7 to 8 per cent after growing 4.6 per cent during the first half.
Regarding Thai politics, Mr Abhisit said his government would try to resolve the problem following the bloody violence of April and May this year.
Mr. Abhisit said he believed the House should not be dissolved to pave the way for a general election before the end of this year because it is “still necessary for the government to continue building reconciliation and solving other problems” prevailing in the country.

-- TNA 2010-09-05













