EEC Chief Says Private Firm Set to Extend Airport Rail Link Run
EEC Secretary-General Chula Sukmanop states the private operator may extend Airport Rail Link operations beyond the Sept 30 contract expiry.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- EEC Secretary-General Chula Sukmanop says private operator may extend Airport Rail Link services
- Current management contract is scheduled to expire on September 30
- State Railway of Thailand and private partners are discussing transition measures to prevent disruptions
On September 8 at 11:00 AM at the Thai Parliament, Chula Sukmanop, Secretary-General of the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) Policy Committee, gave an interview regarding updates on Asia Era One Company Limited—a CP Group affiliate and private concessionaire for the high-speed rail linking three airports project. The firm recently sent a letter to the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) confirming its right to terminate the contract and cancel management and operating agreements for the Airport Rail Link (ARL), whose operating contract ends on September 30.
Chula emphasized that the situation is currently under negotiation. Since the previous arrangement involved contract amendments, the private firm intends to terminate the agreement if amendments cannot proceed according to the Office of the Attorney General's guidance.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
When asked about the government's stance following the Prime Minister's remark that contract termination would be difficult, Chula reiterated that discussions are ongoing. He noted that clarity will emerge soon because the Airport Rail Link contract expires on September 30, requiring immediate resolution to prevent any potential service suspension and to determine how SRT will handle the transitional takeover.
Large-scale public-private partnership (PPP) infrastructure projects often face complex hurdles when contract terms are modified. As the Airport Rail Link is a vital commuter artery connecting Suvarnabhumi Airport to central Bangkok, any abrupt service disruption would severely impact hundreds of thousands of daily passengers. Securing a smooth transition plan is therefore a critical priority for state regulators.
Chula stressed that operational clarity for the Airport Rail Link is currently being discussed between SRT and the concessionaire, as the EEC is not directly conducting the negotiations.
When pressed on whether the private entity might extend operating services past the September 30 deadline, Chula stated that procedurally, the operator will likely keep running the service for a certain period. However, the exact duration must be formally agreed upon to avoid negatively impacting the general public.
Meanwhile, a Ministry of Transport source revealed that while uncertainties remain regarding the three-airport rail contract, there are clear indications that the private sector is likely to continue operating the Airport Rail Link in the interim.
Source: Matichon Politics
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