The Transport Ministry has activated an emergency plan to handle the Airport Rail Link, which may cease operations. Minister Pipat revealed plans to negotiate with the private sector to extend the deadline for returning the Airport Rail Link trains by 2-3 months to avoid impacting the public. He assured that if the private sector wants to return the project, the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) will take over management.
On 1 September 2026, Pipat Ratchakitprakarn, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, disclosed progress on resolving the Airport Rail Link issues after the private operator submitted a letter exercising the right to stop operations after 30 September. To prevent service disruption affecting the public, the SRT Governor is currently discussing solutions. Initially, negotiations may seek to extend train operations by about 2-3 months to allow time for transition preparations.
Following that, management might be transferred to the SRT’s subsidiary, SRT Electrified Train Company Limited (SRTET). If the private sector insists on returning the project as scheduled, SRT is ready to have its subsidiary immediately manage the project to ensure continuous service. Currently, the SRT board is expediting a decision on hiring private firms to assist with short-term operations management lasting 6 months to 1 year, with the exact duration pending finalization.
Pipat also stated that the Transport Ministry, as SRT’s regulator, confirms SRT has completed handing over the land for the high-speed rail project connecting the three airports to the private sector ahead of the deadline, fulfilling agreed conditions.
Regarding assessments of the project's viability or decisions on further work agreements, Pipat noted these are under the direct authority of the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) Policy Committee. The Transport Ministry will not interfere with those decisions.