Thailand’s expanding state ‘threatens future growth’
Expansion of creaking rail system may put economy on the wrong track, critics say. Thailand is banking on its state-owned enterprises to spearhead economic growth in 2017 through massive investments in infrastructure. The push has brought one of the kingdom’s biggest and oldest SOEs, the State Railway of Thailand, to a critical juncture. The military-led government has budgeted more than $14.1 billion for investments by state enterprises, with the SRT receiving the largest single allocation of 76 billion baht for double-track rail expansions, an extension of Bangkok’s elevated railway, and construction of bridges, fences and track improvements.
