"Phiphat" is accelerating negotiations with CP Group to temporarily operate the Airport Rail Link for 1-3 months before transferring management to the State Railway of Thailand Electric Train Company Limited (SRTET), assuring that passengers will not be affected. The issue of amending the high-speed rail contract for the three airports is being referred to the Eastern Economic Corridor Policy Committee (EECPC) for consideration and decision-making.
Mr. Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, revealed the outcome of negotiations with Asia Era One Company Limited (CP Group) regarding the upcoming expiration of the Airport Rail Link operation contract on 30 September. He stated that the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) reported it had negotiated with Asia Era One yesterday (27 August) after the private company expressed its intention to terminate operations and cease running the Airport Rail Link.
The SRT may negotiate with the private operator to extend the service period by about 1 to 3 months to avoid service disruption to the public. Afterwards, the State Railway of Thailand Electric Train Company Limited (SRTET), a subsidiary of the SRT, will take over managing operations. This approach will not impact the public.
Mr. Phiphat added that the high-speed rail cooperation contract connecting the three airports (Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi, and U-Tapao) must be viewed in two parts: the private sector's operational responsibilities and those under the SRT. Regarding who breached the contract, he clarified that the Ministry of Transport, through the SRT, confirms it has delivered the project land to the concessionaire fully—100%—according to all contract conditions.
The consideration of the joint venture contract, which is the main agreement, is a separate issue from the Airport Rail Link management and is not directly under the Ministry of Transport’s authority. Instead, it is under the jurisdiction of the Eastern Economic Corridor Policy Committee (EECPC), chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul.
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