The first phase of a Sino-Thai high-speed railway project could be postponed as Thailand's environmental authorities have not granted approval to the project, Chinese State broadcaster CCTV reported Friday, citing Thai media.
Due to problems with environmental approval in Thailand, the construction of the project will be delayed two more months, the report said. The project, valued at about 35.88 billion yuan ($5.3 billion), had been expected to start construction from November.
The first phase of the deal is a line running about 252.2 kilometers from Bangkok to Nakhon Ratchasima in the country's northeast.
Under the deal, Thailand will be responsible for financing the construction, and China will design the line and provide engineers and equipment.
The project had a groundbreaking ceremony in December 2015, but has been held up by delays.
