Railway must stay on track

Western media reported that Thai Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith, citing bilateral disagreements on loan interest rates and the project's total cost, said on Friday that rather than seek financial assistance from China, Thailand would fund the construction of the first phase of a railway line linking China to Thailand, or the track from Bangkok to Nakhon Ratchasima province, itself.

We should not make a fuss over minor disputes between China and Thailand involving the construction of such a long railway, given that both Beijing and Bangkok hope to gain an expected profit from the project.

The construction of the railway should be based on mutually beneficial cooperation. It is thus normal for both countries to weigh up the pros and cons.