Thailand’s transport minister Prajin Juntong and his Japanese counterpart Akihiro Ota signed the agreement. Both countries will now conduct a feasibility study and evaluate the profitability of a 660km high-speed railway connecting Bangkok and the northern province of Chiang Mai. Local estimates put the possible cost of the project at more than 1 trillion yen (£5.2bn).
The two countries will also look into the details such as the construction of the stations and routes needed for the service.
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