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Thai PM woos China's role in its stimulus plan
(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-06-26 19:59

BEIJING: Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva raised the prospect of Chinese involvement in his nation's stimulus spending package, using a visit to urge a return of tourists and investors after political turmoil.

Thai PM woos China's role in its stimulus plan
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (L) and Thailand's Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva walk past the honour guard during an official welcoming ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing June 24, 2009. [Agencies]

Near the end of a four-day visit to China, Ahbisit told a news conference that Chinese business was interested in his government's 1.43 trillion baht ($42 billion) stimulus package, especially infrastructure projects.

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"There has been clear interest expressed by Chinese enterprises to participate in these projects, and we expect further progress on that," said Ahbisit.

He said his government's minister of transport will visit Beijing in the next month or so to continue discussions on the possible projects, which may include railways in Bangkok and elsewhere across Thailand.

Ahbisit did not give any details about which companies have shown interest or what role they may play. Chinese companies have accumulated growing expertise in construction and engineering, drawn from China's own focus on infrastructure development.

"The form of investment for financing can be flexible," he said.

The Oxford-educated Thai leader has used his visit to China that ends Saturday to woo investors and tourists back after protests and political turmoil that alarmed many, adding to the southeast Asian nation's economic woes.