Summary：The first batch of Chinese engineers have passed the geology and theoretical tests as required by the first phase of the Thailand-China railway project

The first batch of Chinese engineers have passed the geology and theoretical tests as required by the first phase of the Thailand-China railway project.

It was announced Monday by the Council of Thai Engineers and the Council of Thai Architects in Bangkok. There are 77 Chinese engineers in the first batch.

The criteria set to test the Chinese engineers include not only their engineering qualifications, but also knowledge of Thai geography and how to deal with disastrous floods such as the 2011 Thailand floods, according to Kamol Takkabutr, chairman of The Council of Thai Engineers.

Meanwhile, Kamol said training courses will be held for the following batches of Chinese engineers. After the engineering theoretical tests, the Chinese engineers will have to sit for architectural tests.

Thailand will start the construction of the first phase of the Thailand-China railway project in October, or no later than November, once the environmental impact assessment report is approved, said Thai Minister of Transport Arkhom Termpittayapaisith in an interview with Xinhua last month.

Thailand and China signed two contracts, namely the design contract and the supervision contract, for the 253-km first phase project earlier September, which will link Thai capital Bangkok and the northeastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima.