EXPLAINER: Key disputes over financing continue to delay the flagship EEC project
Phiphat: Fears state's financial exposure
The 224.5-billion-baht high-speed railway linking Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi and U-Tapao airports was approved in March 2018 under Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha's administration as a flagship Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) project. More than eight years and seven governments later, the project remains stalled by a combination of land, financing and contractual disputes. Although the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) has cleared a draft contract amendment, key disagreements between the state and the private concessionaire remain unresolved.What is the project?
The 220-kilometre railway linking the three airports will have nine stations across five provinces, comprising Bangkok, Samut Prakan, Chachoengsao, Chon Buri and Rayong. It combines part of the existing Airport Rail Link with new high-speed rail infrastructure to become the transport backbone of the EEC. It is expected to improve connectivity between airports, industrial estates and tourism centres while supporting the expansion of U-Tapao Airport and the Eastern Aviation City.
Who is building it?
