BANGKOK, May 12 (Xinhua) -- Thailand has said recently its development needs to be linked up with the Belt and Road Initiative for a better future as the initiative will benefit Thailand and the whole world.
Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said Monday that Thailand is ready to promote win-win cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative.
Proposed by China in 2013, the Belt and Road Initiative refers to the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, aiming at building a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along the ancient trade routes of Silk Road.
"The world is now stuck in uncertainty ... free trade is being challenged," said Thai Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak at a seminar with Chinese entrepreneurs on Monday.
"So the Belt and Road Initiative is becoming a new hope for countries seeking cooperation," he said.
He said that Thailand welcomes the Belt and Road Initiative and both the public and private sectors of the country will support and catch up with "the new hope."
Somkid, during the seminar, described a vivid picture of linking the Belt and Road Initiative with Thailand's project of Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC).
According to Somkid, a high-speed train between Bangkok and Rayong will be built to link with the planned China-Thailand railway project, which will link China-Laos railway to reach China's Kunming.
Somkid also invited Chinese entrepreneurs to help Thailand realize the EEC project.
Thai Deputy Prime Minister Prachin Chantong told Chinese media on Thursday that the Belt and Road Initiative is sure to benefit countries in Southeast Asia.
The project of China-Thailand cooperation in railway construction is a good example, Prachin said.
According to Thai Commerce Minister Apiradi Tantraporn, both Thailand and China emphasize innovation now, so the two countries can make something together.
There will be new cities and new markets growing along the Belt and Road, giving Thai products more chances, Apiradi said earlier this month.
"We always support the Belt and Road Initiative as it is consistent with our strategies and policies," she added.
