Junta critic says Thailand needs Hyperloop not Chinese rail

SINGAPORE (Oct 2): A tycoon turned politician who opposes Thailand’s military government has criticised its US$5.6 billion ($7.7 billion) high-speed rail project with China because hyperloop technology offers a more modern alternative.

An option such as Richard Branson’s Virgin Hyperloop One -- which is working on building networks of pods traveling at airplane-like speeds -- is better for Thailand as it would help the nation to be a technological leader, according to Future Forward Party head Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit.

“If you invest in high-speed trains, all you do is import everything from abroad, whereas with the hyperloop there’s an opportunity to build the industry in Thailand if you move first,” Thanathorn said in an interview on Monday.

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