BANGKOK - The Thai cabinet has approved a draft memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Thailand and China on railway cooperation, a government spokesman said Tuesday.

The draft MoU will allow China to play a lead role in building an 867-kilometer dual-track rail that will connect Northeast Thailand's Nong Khai province, capital Bangkok and eastern Rayong province, Yongyuth Maiyalarp said.
 
The route, divided into three sections, will use the 1.435-meter standard gauge and trains will be operated at speeds of 160-180 km per hour.

The cabinet has also approved a proposal to set up a Thailand-China joint panel to work out details of the rail project, according to Yongyuth.

The project, which is estimated to cost about 400 billion baht ($12.2 billion), got the green light from the Thai cabinet earlier this month.