BANGKOK: Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn has rejected a proposed amendment to the contract for the high-speed rail project linking Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi and U-Tapao airports. The amendment sought to change the state’s co-investment payment method to a “pay-as-you-build” scheme, which Phiphat said contradicted the original contract terms.
The high-speed rail project connecting Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi and U-Tapao airports, signed under a joint investment contract between the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) and Asia Era One Co, a CP Group-led consortium, on October 24, 2019, has faced repeated delays despite initial government support. The consortium won the bid with the lowest state co-investment request of 117.2 billion baht (US$3.6 billion).
