The Prime Minister threatened blacklisting and forfeiture of guarantees, affirming that private companies cannot unilaterally cancel the 3-Airport rail contract and revealed preparations to penalize those who abandon work.
On 10 July 2026 at the Signature Hotel in Songkhla province, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul addressed rumors that a company under the Charoen Pokphand (CP) Group had submitted a letter to the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) to terminate the 3-Airport High-Speed Rail project contract (Don Mueang–Suvarnabhumi–U-Tapao). The Prime Minister firmly stated that government policy requires strict adherence to contracts, agreements, and procurement regulations. Private companies have no right to unilaterally cancel contracts.
Anutin stated that this project is already underway and is vital for the country. Any private party entering into a contract with the government must accept and comply with the conditions set at the bidding stage. Subsequent changes to terms are not permitted; otherwise, all government contracts would have to allow such changes. He sees no legal basis for private companies to cancel contracts because most government contracts do not include provisions for contractors to terminate. Only the government has the right to terminate if contractors breach agreements.
"Suddenly stopping work is not allowed. Doing so would immediately categorize them as abandoning the project, which is a serious matter. They would be blacklisted, banned from bidding on future government projects, and all guarantees would be forfeited. Importantly, if the government must retender the project at a higher cost, it will seek compensation for the difference from the original contractor. Therefore, adhering to the original contract is best," the Prime Minister warned.
The Prime Minister reiterated that the project must proceed according to the timeline. Failure by contractors to meet the required progress percentages at each stage constitutes contract violation, allowing the government to terminate the contract. The Thai government must apply strict and decisive measures to prevent incomplete and abandoned projects nationwide. Furthermore, he has assigned Deputy Prime Minister for Legal Affairs Pakorn Nilprapunt to urgently draft amendments to the Procurement Act to strengthen mechanisms for swift and effective handling of contractors who abandon work.
Meanwhile, reporters added that CP Group has issued an official statement denying the rumors entirely. The company confirmed it has not submitted any letter to cancel the 3-Airport high-speed rail contract and reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining its contractual status and collaborating with the State Railway of Thailand to complete this historic project.