BANGKOK, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- Thailand plans to put forward major infrastructure projects prior to the country's general election, according to a high-level government official on Tuesday.

Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith confirmed that a total of 18 major infrastructure projects will be submitted to the cabinet for approval ahead of the date for the nationwide election, tentatively scheduled for Feb. 24, 2019.

Those projects, seeking the green light from the current government, are primarily designed to cost a combined 723 billion baht (about 21.9 billion U.S. dollars), according to the transport minister.

They include construction of Suvarnabhumi international airport's new terminal, construction of a motorway between Nakhon Pathom province and Cha-am beach resort, procurement of commercial aircraft for Thai Airways International, and the third-phase development project at Laem Chabang deep-sea port.

Meanwhile, biddings will be held for the construction of a rail link project to connect three major international airports, namely Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi and U-Tapao.