It's good to hear that during his recent state visit to Thailand, Premier Li Keqiang discussed with Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra ways to develop a regional railway network.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (second from left in front) and Thailand's Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra (left) visit a Chinese high-speed railway exhibition on Oct 12, 2013 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center in Bangkok. [Photo / Agencies]

China already has an extensive, well-developed railway network. I have traveled to may places across China by train and the journeys were comfortable. Chinese railway experts could help guide Thailand to expand its railway network to provide greater national and regional connection by trains.

It was exciting to read about the possibility of boarding a train in Shanghai for Bangkok, or other national capitals in the region. The plan to develop the Trans-Asian Railway to enable people to travel from Singapore to China, even all the way to Istanbul in Turkey is really welcome.

Here's wishing success to the plan.

Paul Surtees, via e-mail

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(China Daily 10/16/2013 page9)