Pak Chong High Speed Train station starts to take shape and let's see how they are going to implement the special platform to connect with the existing railway line to Khorat to allow feeder trains to reach Pak Chong High Speed train station
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBj8J_OAl2U
Source - Naewna website
Friday, October 25, 2024 13:18
Pichit clarifies that amendments to the high-speed rail contract connecting 3 airports are minor, denies favoring the private sector, and says to wait and see how the amendments are made.
At 11:15 a.m. on October 25, 2024, at the Government House, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Mr. Pichit Chunnhavichit, gave an interview about the amendment of the high-speed train contract connecting 3 airports (Don Mueang-Suvarnabhumi-U-Tapao), which will be presented to the Cabinet (Cabinet) on the 29th of October. He said that the news reports that there are many amendments, but actually there are only a few.
When asked about the allegation of favoring the private sector, Mr. Pichit replied that we have to wait and see how the amendments are made in the end.
The High-Speed Rail Linking 3 Airports project has faced ongoing delays since the previous administration. If the original plan from the 2018 bidding process had been followed, the project should be operational by now. This would have allowed investors, tourists, and the public to conveniently travel by high-speed train from Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi airports to the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), including Chonburi, Pattaya, and U-Tapao. The delays, caused by land handover issues and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, have brought the project to a standstill, with construction yet to begin.
This raises questions about the project's future and whether the concession agreement will be amended as requested by the private sector partner. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Mr. Pichai Chunhavajira, who also chairs the EEC committee, has indicated that the proposed amendments will likely be presented to the Cabinet in the coming week. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, Mr. Suriya Jungrungreangkit, assures that the project will proceed without unfairly favoring the private sector.
The need for contract amendments stems from both the government and the private sector breaching the original agreement due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The government couldn't deliver the land as promised, and the private sector couldn't proceed with construction. To address this "mutual breach," the government proposes amending the contract to ensure the project, which is part of the national strategy, moves forward.
The Eastern Special Development Zone Policy Committee (ESDZPC) has approved the proposed amendments, focusing on adjusting the public investment cost payment method. Instead of a lump sum payment after the project's completion, the government will pay in installments based on construction progress. In return, the private sector must provide additional guarantees and complete the project within five years. Other amendments include adjustments to the revenue-sharing scheme and provisions for unforeseen circumstances.
If the contract is not amended, the project may be terminated, leading to potential lawsuits and further delays. Canceling the contract would necessitate a new bidding process or potentially having the State Railway of Thailand take over the project, both of which have pros and cons.
While the proposed amendments appear to favor the private sector by providing earlier access to government funds, they also require the private sector to provide additional guarantees. This raises concerns about fairness to other bidders and potential legal challenges. The government should clarify the benefits it will receive from the amendments, particularly regarding revenue sharing and protection from financial risks. Additionally, the government should explain the reasons for the delays and differentiate this case from previous instances of contract amendments that favored private companies.
Despite these concerns, the author supports moving forward with the project due to its potential benefits for the country. However, the government must address the concerns and provide greater transparency before proceeding.
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