Tourists pack the passenger terminal at Suvarnabhumi airport, one of three airports to be connected by a delayed high-speed rail project. (Photo: Varuth Hirunyatheb)
Undeterred by several problems in building a high-speed rail system linking three airports, the government vows to push ahead and continue to draw investments to the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC).The 224.5-billion-baht project faces an uncertain future after Chula Sukmanop, secretary-general of the EEC Office, said the government may need to seek a new business partner to replace concessionaire Asia Era One if the problems that led to years of delays cannot be resolved.
Reportedly Asia Era One, the consortium led by Charoen Pokphand (CP) Group that won the concession to develop the railway, wants to terminate the construction agreement made with the State Railway of Thailand (SRT).
This stance was rebuffed by Sarit Jinnasith, president of Asia Era One, who said it never intended to abandon the project.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said state contracts cannot be cancelled unilaterally, stressing the government is keen to ensure the project is implemented according to agreed terms, public procurement regulations and the law.
