Transport
From The Report: Thailand 2018
View in Online Reader

After a few challenging years that saw air safety rating downgrades and delays in major infrastructure projects, Thailand’s transport sector is beginning to regain momentum. Significant progress has been achieved with the construction of rail and road networks, and issues around meeting international standards are being resolved as the country lays the groundwork to become a regional transport and logistics hub. Meanwhile, with the Asia-Pacific region set to be the fastest-growing market for commercial aviation over the next 20 years, Thailand is seeking to strengthen its aviation infrastructure, particularly its maintenance, repair and overhaul segment, targeting it as a high-value industry with significant growth potential. This chapter contains interviews with Arkhom Termpittayapaisith, Minister of Transport; Jin Liqun, President, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank; and Pierre Jaffre, President, Airbus Asia Pacific.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Back on track: Coordinated government projects under way to expand the infrastructure network and meet growing demand
OBG
plus

After a few challenging years that saw air safety rating downgrades and delays in major infrastructure projects, Thailand’s transport sector is beginning to regain momentum and the national transportation infrastructure is just now catching up with the remarkable growth in traveller numbers. Significant progress is being achieved with the construction of rail and road networks, and issues around meeting international standards are being resolved as the country lays the groundwork to become…

Interview

Paving the way: Arkhom Termpittayapaisith, Minister of Transport, on turning the country into a key gateway for global trade
OBG
plus

Interview:Arkhom Termpittayapaisith What competitive advantages does the country have with regard to becoming a major multi-modal transportation hub? ARKHOM TERMPITTAYAPAISITH: Thailand’s main competitive edge is its geographic location for land transport, especially within the ASEAN region. Every nation wants to strengthen its continental linkages, and the only way to do so is through land transportation. Our land connectivity is one of the best in the world because we are right in the…

Analysis

Connecting the dots: Officials work to extend existing infrastructure and complete pending projects
OBG
plus

Across the country, Thailand’s rail network is being transformed. In Bangkok, the efficient three-line service – with two Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTS) lines and one Metropolitan Rapid Transit (MRT) line – is extending outward and quickly evolving. Outside of the capital, four high-speed railways are being planned or under construction, while connections to China, being built under China’s Belt and Road Initiative are only a few years away. In addition, an existing intercity train…

Interview

Modern solutions: Jin Liqun, President, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), on supporting forward-thinking ASEAN infrastructure
OBG
plus

Interview: Jin Liqun, President, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) How do you see AIIB supporting infrastructure development in ASEAN in the coming years? JIN LIQUN: ASEAN countries were some of the first to join AIIB, and we greatly appreciate their support. We have already begun investing in ASEAN infrastructure, including projects in Myanmar and Indonesia. As a multilateral development bank we can play a number of different roles in infrastructure project financing, and as a new institution…

Analysis

Pressing ahead: In response to an increase in air travel, the government expands its maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) segment
OBG
plus

Recent years have seen air travel in Thailand experience significant growth, pushing existing infrastructure to its limit. The government is working to address these capacity issues through infrastructure investments, gradually positioning itself as a global aviation hub. International Standards In 2015 Thailand faced concerns about its aviation sector and was downgraded by the US Federal Aviation Administration from Category 1 to 2 for failing to meet international standards in terms of…

Interview

Start your engines: Pierre Jaffre, President, Airbus Asia Pacific, on prioritising aerospace as an engine of economic productivity
OBG
plus

Interview:Pierre Jaffre, President, Airbus Asia Pacific What advantages does Thailand hold in the maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) industry? PIERRE JAFFRE: Thailand is already playing a major role in Asia’s commercial aviation revolution. Bangkok is one of the world’s largest aeronautical hubs, with more than 90m passengers transiting through its airport every year. Thailand’s geographic location at the heart of this fast-growing region, its inexpensive cost base and skilled workforce…