Civil engineering work on the initial section of the Sino-Thai railway’s first phase is progressing smoothly, said Thanin Somboon, Director General of the Department of Highways at the Ministry of Transport of Thailand on March 22.

Mr. Thanin said that China is responsible for the design of the high-speed railway project. Meanwhile, the Thai Department of Highways is mainly responsible for creating the line’s embankment and other civil engineering works. China will also be responsible for laying the tracks and other follow-up work. China and Thailand are cooperating well in the construction of the first section, and the bilateral experience is expected to be applied to the construction of remaining portions of the project.

The kickoff ceremony for the first phase of the Sino-Thai Railway, the Bangkok-Nakhon Ratchasima section, was held on December 21 last year in Pak Chong, Nakhon Ratchasima. (Xinhua)