Six huge projects being fast-tracked
THE Public-Private Partnership Committee has approved the fast-tracking of six more projects worth 600 billion baht with Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak ordering that bidding take place this year to build up confidence, Thai News Agency said today (March 29).
Deputy Premier Somkid said after a PPP committee meeting that the panel had given approval for the Transport Ministry and the State Enterprise Policy Office to add six projects worth over 600 billion to the PPP Fast Track channel in addition to previous five projects already being fast tracked and steadily being tabled to the Cabinet for approval.
An example is the Blue Line which was approved by the Cabinet yesterday and a contract will be signed on Friday March 31 between Bangkok Expressway and Metro (BEM), a BOI supported entity, and Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand.
Regarding the new motorways between Bang Pa-in-Nakhon Ratchasima and Bang yai-Kanchanaburi the Highways Department revised its study to make it legally clearer and has tabled the projects to the Transport Ministry and this is expected to be sent back to State Enterprise Policy Office next month.
“As green light has been given to add new projects to PPP Fast Track channel the meeting underscored that they be approved and bidding take place this year while the previous 5 Fast Track projects’ investment funds are steadily entering the system.
“These factors will build up confidence among investors especially when these projects clearly proceed,” Mr Somkid said.
He added that implementing these project will lead to distorted and negative reports having less impact. An example is a report that Alibaba is running away from Thailand to Malaysia which is not true because Alibaba confirmed through the Thai Ambassador in China that it still intends to invest in Thailand and this investment is for an Asean center and is bigger than its investment in Malaysia.
The six projects being fast-tracked are as follows:
· Purple Line between Tao Poon and Kanchanapisek outer ring road worth 131,172 million baht;
· Orange line east and west route worth195,642 million baht;
· Phuket rail project worth 39,406 million baht;
· Motorway between Nakhon Phathom and Cha-am worth 80,060 million baht;
· High-speed rail project between Bangkok and Rayong worth 152,488 million baht;
· Chiang Mai rail line which the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy Planning has been told to quickly complete its study and investment requirements.
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Top: Deputy Premier Somkid Jatusripitak talking to the Press today. Photo: Thai News Agency
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