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We do not see development only in terms of Thailand but have to look at opportunities in ASEAN and the global communityin various sectors will continue. Thailand’s minister of transport, Arkhom Termpittayapaisith, agreed.“Development of the special eco- nomic zones cannot succeed without infrastructure providing access to the production bases,” he said. “We do not see development only in terms of Thailand but have to look at opportunities in ASEAN and the global community. Our region connects the Pacific Ocean and Andaman Sea. In the past 20 years, Thailand and other countries in the Mekong sub-region have begun collaborating to construct new infrastructural systems, but we can progress further with support from China.”At the time being, the biggest infrastructure construction project could be the Sino- ASEAN railway. The rail link from western China will head to Luang Prabang and Vientiane in Laos before entering Thailand at Nong Khai and stretching down to Khon Kaen, Nakhon Ratchasima, Kaeng KhoiDistrict in Saraburi and terminating in Bangkok. An extra line will head out to Map Ta Phut where the deep sea port is located. Apart from facilitating production logistics, the new connec- tions will also offer options for Chinese tourists eager to travel to Thailand.Despite delays caused by the instability of Thai politics over the past two years, Mr Arkhom assured that the Sino-Thai railway has been progressing. The partners have discussed research and delegated construction responsibilities. Chinese officials were sent to Thailand to survey the route, and the railway tracks, tunnels and stations were designed.“The Sino-Thai agreement divides the railway route into four phases, Bangkok-Kaeng Khoi, Kaeng Khoi- Map Ta Phut, Kaeng Khoi-Nakhon Ratchasima and Nakhon Ratchasi- ma-Nong Khai,” the minister explained. “The first and third phase can proceed first since the other two consist of more than single tracks. The later routes12 Elite+