Based in Qingdao, Shandong province, China's CSR Qingdao Sifang Co, a key subsidiary of the China South Locomotive and Rolling Stock Industry Group, one of the country's two major locomotive makers, recently held a seminar on railway development with Thailand's Ministry of Science and Technology, in Bangkok, capital of Thailand, with the expectation of promoting the establishment of the Sino-Thailand High-speed Rail Research Center.

The CSR's CRH380A and CRH6 train models received special attention from experts and scholars from Thailand's National Science and Technology Development Agency, Thailand Institute of Scientific and Technological Research and large numbers of Thai universities. The Thai cabinet has recently approved a draft memorandum of understanding between Thailand and China on railway cooperation, which is estimated to cost about $12.2 billion, allowing China to play a leading role in building an 867-kilometer dual-track rail that will connect Northeast Thailand's Nong Khai province, Bangkok and eastern Rayong province.

CSR Qingdao Sifang is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the China South Locomotive and Rolling Stock Industry Corp, which does R&D and manufactur of high-speed electric multiple-unit trains.