简体中文
By APD writer Chen Jiabao
BANGKOK, Aug 1 (APD) -- Thailand, a country with no high-speed train, is very satisfied with China's offer of technology transfer in the railway project and would rather call it "exchanges of experience", said the council of engineer of Thailand on July 31.
Kamol Takkabut, Chairman of the Council of Engineers, said that the two sides have focused on training courses for Chinese engineers who will work for the project in Thailand and technology transfer that China will provide Thailand.
"Generally, China has accepted what we demand. They never make things difficult. The talks are smooth. "said the chairman.
"Talks on technology transfer has progressed about 70%. The two sides have done a great teamwork." said Amorn Pimanmas,secretary general of the council.
The remarks were made on a press conference after a talk held by Thai and Chinese engineers.
The two sides have negotiated on the railway project's technology transfer twice after Thai prime minister Prayut Chan-o-cha invoked a special power to clear legal snags hindering the project in middle July.
In terms of technology transfer, Thailand has listed 27 disciplines that it wants from China, including tunnel, train operation, signaling, communication, rescuing and maintenance, etc, according to Amorn, a senior engineer, adding that the reports of all the details will be registered in the council of engineers as high speed train technology textbook.
He unveiled that the transfer of each discipline may cost about 700,000 baht (20,000 U.S dollars) and Thailand hopes China to share the costs. He emphasized that China never charges Thailand relating to technology transfer.
"We would like to say it's a good chance for the two sides to share knowledge and experience, as China is able to learn about the Thai culture and architect in the training we provide, which will help them better tailor a railway resolution that fits with Thailand." Amorn told APD.
Thailand requires the 400 Chinese engineers who will work for the project in Thailand to attend training courses and pass exams. The courses are about Thai laws, geography, Thai railway standard, construction regulations and culture. The training will be in Thai and English. Chinese translation would be arranged.
Thailand earlier required Chinese engineers to take exams in order to get engineering certificate,saying it necessary to make it legal to work in Thailand. However, the exams will be in Thai language.
Sasern, spokesman of the Thai government, said the requirement seems unreasonable, as China has been mushrooming a high speed railway network of 22,000 km — the biggest in the world while Thailand, a country with no high-speed train, requires Chinese engineers to take exams.
The council said they will try to finish negotiations on technology transfer with October.
The 253km Bangkok-Nakhon Ratchasima railway project will connect Thailand's capital with the gateway city to the country's northeast region. The project will ultimately connect Thailand to China, expecting to turn Thailand into a regional hub that can link to China's Belt and Road infrastructure plan.
Set to kick off around October, the project has been negotiated by Thailand and China for 19 times before it got the cabinet 's nod.
(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)
