Sino-Thai relations boosted by $10.6b rail deal

China and Thailand cemented joint cooperation on railways on Friday, taking a step forward in linking regional transportation under Beijing's Silk Road initiative.

Premier Li Keqiang and his Thai counterpart Prayut Chan-o-cha officiated at the signing of a long-anticipated rail deal that had been postponed because of political turbulence in Thailand.

Under the agreement, Chinese companies will design and build a high-speed line to ease transportation into and out of Bangkok - the second-largest city in Southeast Asia after Jakarta.