Infinitos Mundos

As part of the Nusantaran Development Program, the Minister of Infrastructure for Majapahit, Labuh bin Rabu, has decided to reach out to @Republic of Siam to discuss a potential high speed rail network from Singapore to Bangkok. The Siamese representative is invited to Kuala Lumpur to discuss the proposal.

Siam would be happy to discuss the proposal. As the Minister of Infrastructure for Siam, Sawat Pridi is sent to Kuala Lumpur to discuss the logistics of a project of that scale. Her plane touches down at 3:10 in the afternoon on a sunny day in Majapahit.

Sawat Pridi would be met at the airport by an aide, who would take her to the Petronas Towers, where the meeting is set to take place. Once there, she would be taken to a conference room on the 64th floor with a view overlooking the city. On the desk would be a digital display with a map of the Indochinese Peninsula, highlighting current road networks and international borders.

Minister Labuh bin Rabu would greet Sawat Pridi as she enters the room with his hands folded together and a formal bow, before offering her a seat and some coffee, tea, or water. "Thank you for agreeing to meet with me to discuss this project, as you know it is a large endeavour, and it is my hope that we might be able to begin construction as soon as possible. With regards to the network, there are certain factors to discuss, such as the border crossing, funding for the project, rail network usage, and stops along the route. We would also need to discuss which trains to use on the route, though the obvious choice would be our own trains, the Komodo.

"I think we can begin by hearing your thoughts and concerns so far, and go from there."

Sawat sat at the table, crossing on leg neatly over the other before peering at the map.
"Well, our biggest concern is if any infrastructure will have to be demolished to make room for the train. We value our small rural communities and we don't want the addition of a large railroad to disrupt their peace and way of life."

Bin Radu would nod understandingly, "Of course, that is a valid concern, and one which we are keen on avoiding at all costs. As such, we are keen on ensuring that the route chosen is as least disruptive as possible. Part of the way in which we hope to accomplish this is by running the line atop a viaduct system, thus minimizing its impact on the terrain and ensuring a smoother passage. This should minimize the need to demolish infrastructure. Similarly, we would aim to select a route that goes through as few towns and villages as possible, save only for the need to construct a stop for the line in one of the larger cities along the way. In these cases we could either build the tracks above existing roads, or tunnels underneath the city, depending on the location of the city and what is best suited for the location. We would, of course, also be interested in helping Siam upgrade their main highway from our border to Bangkok as well, which could possibly be the guidelines for our rail line."

"Of course, just what we expected." Sawat peered over the map again, tracing the route up to Bangkok with a finger, "I propose stops in Krabi, Ranong and Tanintharyi before the line swings in towards Bangkok. Would that be satisfactory?"

Bin Radu looks over the map, putting it into terrain view. "Hmm... Krabi would have some issues due to this mountain range here, as that would raise the cost of the line, due to the terrain. It would also be fairly out of the way. Would it not be better to run it through Surat Thani? As that city is more centrally located for the route to Bangkok. Similarly, as you can see, Ranong is very out of the way, and on the other side of a mountain range, and while a route through here would be feasible, it would also be very costly. I propose perhaps a stop at Mueang Chumphon District instead? Unfortunately I must say the same for Tanintharyi, due to its relative isolation in the mountains."

Sawat blushed and pushed back her hair, "Of course. I forgot about the mountain range. Then we shall only have it along the east side of the peninsula, stopping at Surat Thani, Chumphon and Samut Songkran before stopping at Bangkok."

"Excellent! I shall have a document drawn up for us to sign. Nusantaran workers will begin on our half right away, and our portion of the funds and resources will be supplied within the next few days. I look forward to the completion of this project."

With that, Labuh bin Rabu would make notes on what was agreed upon, before sending them off to be printed. A short while later an aide would come in with the documents for them to sign. Bin Rabu would sign first, before handing them over to Sawat Pridi for her to sign.