Bangkok--15 Oct--Ministry of Transport
Ministry of Transport arranged the dialogue session to create awareness and listen to the opinions of the public on the transport infrastructure investment plan 2013-2020 to lay foundation for long-term infrastructure transportation system. The officials have been dispatched to survey areas and collect information on opinions of the people in various provinces. Such field survey has already been performed in 3 provinces, i.e. Ubon Ratchathani, Chiang Mai and Phuket. The latest field survey will be performed in Nakhon Sri Thammarat and Chonburi. The objectives are to create sense of participation, awareness, understanding and to survey opinions of the related people and the stakeholders of all sectors on the abovementioned investment plan so that the public can coordinate with the operation works pursuant to the investment plan of the national mega project.
Mr. Jarupong Ruangsuwan, Transport Minister said that the Ministry of Transport (MOT) has surveyed the areas and collected opinions of the public on the investment plan in many provinces nationwide and the report shall be prepared to summarize opinions and recommendations of the people in each area to be used as the supporting documents for preparation of the draft national infrastructural investment act.
Previously, the government has made a policy statement to the parliament on August 23, 2011 by emphasizing the operations of the MOT, for instance the development of transport infrastructure systems, acceleration of 10 electric train projects with service fees at 20 Baht throughout the line, development of marine transportation and merchant marine business including international airports, regional airports and Thai aviation industry as well as plans to support the ASEAN Economic Community in 2015.
The government has prepared the transport infrastructure investment plan 2013-2020 with the investment budget of 2 trillion Baht which covered roads, rails, water and air transport to support the economic growth in the next 10-15 years. Most of the investment plans are the communication and transportation projects which shall be beneficial to the competitiveness of the country. Such infrastructure investment plans are the long-term projects which have impacts to the people in all sectors. Hence, the operations pursuant to the such investment plan are required to create awareness, understanding, participation and wakefulness of the people in the area to elevate their interests with regards to the national mega projects as well as to survey opinions of the relevant people and the stakeholders of all sectors concerning the investment plans which shall be taken place in each region.