สำหรับกรณีโครงการรถ ไฟความเร็วสูงเชื่อมสามสนามบินเกิดความล่าช้านั้น ไม่ได้มีความกังวลอะไรมากนัก เพราะในพื้นที่โครงการยังมีอีกหลายกิจการโดยเฉพาะพื้นที่ Airport City ที่สามารถจัดอีเวนต์ที่ช่วยกระตุ้นให้คนเกิดการเดินทางเข้ามาสู่พื้นที่สนามบินได้ และเชื่อว่าจะมีรายได้กลับเข้ามาจากการลงทุนโครงการแน่นอน.
ที่มา: นสพ.ไทยโพสต์ ฉบับวันที่ 30 เม.ย. 2567
STEC Expects Increased Government Work, Aiming for 30 Billion Baht in New Projects
Source: Thai Post, April 30, 2024
Sino-Thai Engineering and Construction Public Company Limited (STEC) anticipates a strong second half of 2024, according to advisor Mr. Seranee Charnvirakul. The company expects an increase in government construction projects, particularly bidding on the second phase of the double-track railway project. STEC's goal is to maintain a backlog of over 100 billion baht in projects.
As of the first quarter of 2024, STEC has a backlog of roughly 90 billion baht, with 60% from private contracts and 40% from government work. The company aims to secure over 30 billion baht in additional projects through bidding.
STEC is part of the CKST-PL joint venture (45% share), along with C.K. Karnchang Public Company Limited (CK) (55% share). This venture is involved in the frame construction work for the Purple Line (Tao Poon-Rat Burana Section, Kanchanaphisek Ring Road), specifically Contract 1 (Tao Poon-National Library) and Contract 2 (Phanfa National Library). STEC sees this collaboration as an opportunity to share engineering expertise and build a foundation for future projects.
Despite delays in the high-speed rail project linking three airports, the company remains optimistic. STEC believes the surrounding business activity, particularly in the Airport City area, will promote travel to the airport region and generate future revenue for the project.
ITD adjusts its focus to concentrate on domestic work, aiming to reduce the risk of loss and slow down investment abroad.
During the 2024 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders, Mr. Premchai Karnasuta, Executive Chairman and Director of Italian-Thai Public Company Limited Development (ITD), addressed the company's liquidity issue. He mentioned that following discussions with creditors, the bank has agreed for the company to focus solely on conducting business within the country to mitigate the risk of further losses. Additionally, Mr. Karnasuta highlighted the upcoming government auctions that the company is prepared to bid on:
- Double track railway construction projects, including Phase 2 of the Khon Kaen-Nong Khai section, Pak Nam Pho-Den Chai section, Chira Road Junction section-Ubon Ratchathani section, Surat Thani-Songkhla section, Den Chai-Chiang Mai section, Chumphon-Surat Thani section, and Hat Yai-Pa Dang Be section.
- Suburban train system projects, such as the light red line, Taling Chan-Salaya section and Taling Chan-Siriraj section, the dark red line, Rangsit section - Thammasat University, Rangsit Center, and the light red line, Bang Sue-Phaya Thai-Makkasan section - Hua Mak, along with the Dark Red Line, Bang Sue-Hua Lamphong section (Missing Link).
- Thai-China Railway Project, Phase 2, Nakhon Ratchasima-Nong Khai section.
- Airport construction projects, including the East Expansion of Suvarnabhumi Airport, the Don Mueang Airport Development Project Phase 3, and the 2nd Passenger Building Construction Project at Chiang Mai Airport.
The company has decided to delay investments in projects abroad and is seeking new joint venture partners. Current overseas projects involving ITD as a joint venture include:
- A concession project for the construction of a railway and deep-sea port in the Republic of Mozambique. The company is in negotiations with potential shareholders from Australia to acquire 20% of shares, facilitating new investments to advance the project.
- A bauxite mining project and construction project for an aluminum factory in Lao PDR. Discussions with shareholders have concluded, with plans to seek new investors for shareholding and investment. Negotiations are ongoing.
- The Dhaka Metropolitan Electric Railway Project in Bangladesh, which has experienced delays. The company expects to complete remaining work within a year and resolve arising issues through negotiations. Additionally, the company has addressed and resolved issues with First Dhaka Elevated Expressway O&M Co., Ltd., an expressway concession project in Bangladesh.
Regarding the potash mine project in Udon Thani Province, Mr. Premchai stated that the company plans to increase capital and complete the project within three years. The company is actively seeking investors domestically and abroad. The Dawei project in Myanmar also remains open to new investors.
Furthermore, acknowledging the backlog as of December 2023, the company has plans for various projects with projected completion dates:
- Excavation and transportation of soil and coal at Mae Moh Mine, Lampang Province, Contract 9, valued at 30,318.4 million baht, scheduled for completion in January 2072.
- Hongsa mine work in Laos, valued at 25,281.8 million baht, scheduled for completion in December 2019.
- Railway project Den Chai-Chiang Rai-Chiang Khong Line, Contract 1, Den Chai-Ngao section, valued at 22,228.5 million baht, scheduled for completion in January 2078.
- Dhaka Metropolitan Electric Railway Project, Bangladesh, Line 6, Contract No. CP-03 and CP-04, valued at 16,616.6 million baht, scheduled for completion in April 2025.
- Purple Line Project: Contract 5, elevated runway work (Dao Khanong - Kru Nai area), valued at 12,238.1 million baht, scheduled for completion in October 2077.
- Malolos-Clark Project Civil & Building, Package CP N-03 Philippines, valued at 12,029.5 million baht, scheduled for completion in December 2026.
- High-speed rail project phase 1, Bangkok-Nakhon Ratchasima section, Contract 3-4, valued at 10,912.4 million baht, scheduled for completion in May 2025.
- Purple Line Project: Contract 3, Underground Civil Works (Phan Fa - Saphan Phut section), valued at 8,472.3 million baht, scheduled for completion in October 2077.
- Rama 3 Expressway Project Dao Khanong Western Bangkok Outer Ring Road, Contract 3, valued at 6,963.5 million baht.
The POC explains the progress in solving the problem of housing in communities affected by double-track railways in 9 provinces in the southern region.
On May 1, 2024, at 3:29 p.m., the Cabinet resolved on March 14, 2023, approving the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security's proposal for a project to solve the problem of low-income housing in communities affected by the development of the railway system. The government assigned the Ministry of Social Development, through the Community Organization Development Institute (Public Organization) or POC, to implement the project from 2023 to 2027, targeting 35 provinces, 300 communities, and 27,084 households, with a total budget of 7,718.94 million baht. The POC is moving forward with a pilot project for 939 families in 6 provinces to solve problems and develop housing for low-income people who were less affected by the development of the rail system. There are 5 communities that have received land rental contracts, totaling 405 households.
In 1998, the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) formulated a policy to lease SRT land nationwide to private companies for business purposes. Previously, communities on SRT land across the country participated in a movement with the 4-region slum network to legally request residential land rental from the SRT due to fears of eviction. Most communities built houses without renting SRT land.
The Executive Board of the State Railway of Thailand, or 'SRT Board,' passed a resolution on September 13, 2000, approving an agreement negotiated by the Ministry of Transport with representatives of the 4-region slum network:
1. Communities outside the expressway area: SRT land, not in use or with no planned utilization, can be rented by communities for long-term residence for 30 years.
2. Land within a 40-meter radius of the railway: Communities can rent it for 3 years at a time, renewable for another 3 years, with SRT required to find alternative land within a 5-kilometer radius if planning to reclaim it.
3. Land within a 20-meter radius: If not deemed suitable for long-term residence, SRT must provide supporting land within a 5-kilometer radius.
Following the SRT board's resolution, communities on SRT land nationwide gradually entered into land lease agreements with the Railway, with POC providing support for housing development loans and part of the budget according to the Baan Mankong project.
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has plans to develop the rail system nationwide. Currently, construction of double-track railways and high-speed trains is underway in the northeastern region. In Bangkok, a high-speed train project connecting Don Mueang-Suvarnabhumi-U-Tapao airports is set to commence.
In the southern region, a double-track railway from Nakhon Pathom to Chumphon is under construction, covering a total distance of 421 kilometers, scheduled for completion by the end of 2023. Construction will then continue to Surat Thani-Hat Yai-Songkhla and Hat Yai-Padang Besar (Malaysia). This development is part of the government's 20-year transportation system development strategy (2018-2037) aimed at enhancing transportation capacity to support anticipated increases in passenger and cargo volumes.
Mr. Thanaphon Muangchalerm, Director of the Southern Region Office of the Community Organization Development Institute (Public Organization), stated that the POC has approved projects and budgets for housing development according to the Baan Mankong Project guidelines, encompassing 14 projects and 912 households, with a total budget of 123,909,780 baht. However, in fiscal year 2024, due to a new project, a budget of 96.9000 million baht has been allocated to solve low-income housing problems in communities affected by rail system development. As a result, the implementation of the project may be delayed.
Regarding land lease management for the State Railway of Thailand, there is a process involving the SRT, POC, and community organizations aimed at promoting strong community organizations as appropriate legal entities ready to engage with SRT land lease agreements. Community organizations living on SRT land with existing lease agreements and those affected by railway system development policies are encouraged to register as legal entities to rent land directly from the SRT or sublease land from the POC within 2 years of the announcement. Guidelines for managing lease agreements between community organizations and members are also provided, along with instructions for juristic persons to apply to rent land directly from the SRT in the future.
Currently, the POC, as a working group to solve problems and develop housing for communities along the rails, has organized a forum to engage with representatives of affected communities nationwide. In the southern region, operations are underway in 9 provinces: Chumphon, Surat Thani, Nakhon Ratchasithammarat, Trang, Phatthalung, Songkhla, Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat, with a focus on housing development in Rim Rang Region communities, totaling 15,168 households and 172 communities.
The approach to solving problems and developing housing involves both improvements to existing housing and the construction of new houses. Communities residing on original land may continue to do so, while those unable to stay on the original land can apply to rent new land from SRT, acquire government or private land, or participate in existing housing projects, such as those of the National Housing Authority. Troubled community members are encouraged to work together, forming committees and savings groups, and registering as housing cooperatives to facilitate housing development projects in accordance with Baan Mankong guidelines.
Additionally, the POC supports and promotes community organizations and networks in housing development, livelihood improvement, environmental conservation, and other aspects of holistic development. The institute's strategic plan aims for "Communities fully strengthened by 2036," with the driving strategy being the utilization of areas and community organizations to propel development work.
In conclusion, the Community Organization Development Institute (Public Organization) or POC is committed to supporting the development of organizations at all levels of Thai society, fostering strength, cooperation, and unity to address community problems and improve quality of life sustainably.
Government Contractors Optimistic as Fiscal Year '24 Spending Kicks Off; Construction Growth of 1.5-2% Expected
Source - Matichon, Thursday, May 2nd, 2024
Mr. Pakpoom Srichamni, Managing Director of Sino-Thai Engineering and Construction Public Company Limited, expressed optimism following the enactment of the 2024 Budget Act. He anticipates a surge in construction activity with the release of over 810 billion baht in government funding. Disbursements are expected to begin in Q3 2024, leading to a potential boost in the construction industry during the second half of the year. Overall, Mr. Srichamni forecasts 1.5-2% growth for the sector.
The Ministry of Transport plays a key role with 14 major projects pending Cabinet approval in the latter half of the year. These projects total approximately 630 billion baht and include:
◘ Several double-track railway projects
Khon Kaen - Nong Khai
Pak Nam Pho - Den Chai
Hat Yai Junction - Padang Besar
Jira Road Junction - Ubon Ratchathani
◘ An extension of the Red Line.
Mr. Phakpoom also commented on the 0.25% interest rate reduction for MRR loans (available to both individuals and SME customers for 6 months). He sees this as a positive short-term development for smaller contractors, potentially easing financial burdens and improving liquidity. However, he emphasizes the importance of reviewing individual bank conditions regarding project participation.
The company has previously communicated its recommendations to the government, including interest rate reduction and improved access to capital. Mr. Phakpoom believes the government is receptive to the needs of both small and large contractors and is acting accordingly.
4 May 2024
"The double track is about to open."
Stopped at Ban Pong Station to see train 170 and the progress in construction of the station and double track. There is only a little more track left to lay.
เริ่มรื้อรางรถไฟที่นครราชสีมา
สุรเสียง พลับพลาสวรรค์
May 5, 2024
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