Maj-General Sansern Kaewk-amnerd said that Thailand would hire Chinese contractors guaranteed by the Chinese government for the rail link between Bangkok and Nakhon Ratchasima.

He said the Chinese would transfer technology to Thailand and train Thai engineers and officials in relation to the project.

“The prime minister made his decision clearly based on the national interest, for the present and the future,” the spokesman said.

The project was designed to be a joint venture between Thailand and China. The spokesman said that the prime minister and his government wanted to avoid the mistake committed by some previous administrations.

“Thailand suffered from some painful lessons involving government projects in the past. We have to mainly focus on the national benefit. We must not just talk about it. We have to actually do it.”