BANGKOK (NNT) – The Ministry of Transport has highlighted benefits to be had from transportation infrastructure development for post COVID-19 economic recovery, in an exhibition where the Minister of Transport stressed changes have been made to the ministry’s budget giving priority to projects that will yield concrete benefits to the general public.
The Ministry of Transport has organized the MOT 2020 Move on Together exhibition and seminar, highlighting its development projects that will help drive the national economy.
At the event, the Minister of Transport, Saksayam Chidchob said the departments responsible for land, water, air, and rail transportation have continued to pursue their 20-year national strategy goals, helping connect the logistics network in all regions.
The agencies have been accelerating regional transportation projects, such as road developments to better connect villages and communities this fiscal year, costing a total of 40 billion baht.
Several other road projects are in progress, including the expansion of Rama II road from Bang Khun Thian Interchange to Eakkachai, adding another traffic lane to the existing 3-lane road; and the construction of Motorway No.81 Bang Yai – Kanchanaburi.
As for water transport, the Ministry of Transport has expedited the constriction of large-scale and deep sea ports, and the transportation link project between the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea, with the aim of promoting Thailand as a regional marine transport hub.
In rail transport, the Ministry of Transport has accelerated the construction of dual-track railways, the Nong Khai – Bangkok High Speed Rail project, and the Airports Connector high speed railway connecting Bangkok’s airports, with U-Tapao Airport in Rayong, and the Eastern Economic Corridor.
In air transport, the Ministry of Transport has pushed for an increase in airport service capacity, along with a human resource developmental project for the aviation sector, the positioning of Thailand as a world-class aircraft maintenance center and a regional aviation hub,
The Ministry of Transport has adjusted its 2020 and 2021 fiscal year budget to give priority to projects that will help with economic recovery following the COVID-19 crisis, deferring projects that have yet to start the procurement process. This allows the ministry to reallocate existing budget to help stimulate the economy, create jobs, distribute income, and improve current transportation services in the New Normal period, to benefit the health and safety of passengers.
