Possible anti-graft activity over the expansion of the rail contract against the former governor of Bangkok complicates the situation.
12 September 2023 at 21:16 PUBLISHED
Srettha Thavisin, the prime minister, has requested that the Transport Ministry collect data and clarify matters pertaining to contentious contracts involving the BTS Skytrain system.
In order to run the main BTS Skytrain system and two extensions until 2042, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration ( BMA) has hired Bangkok Mass Transit System Co( BTSC ).
Mr. Srettha stated that he had not yet thoroughly investigated the situation and was curious about the relevant issues.
The National Anti Corruption Commission ( NACC) will be asked to determine whether there are grounds for action against former Bangkok governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra and 12 others involved in granting the lengthy extension to the company, the prime minister said in response to inquiries about reports.
To the benefit of BTSC, MR. Sukhumbhand and the others have been charged with breaking both the rules against cost collaboration as well as the public-private relationship rules. The agreement they approved in 2012 gave the company another 30 years to operate the 26-kilometer On Nut-Mor Chit and National Stadium-Taksin pathways of the Skytrain.
Under a 30-year grant that expires in 2029, BTSC invested in and ran the initial Skytrain system.
Even though the agreement also had 17 times to work, the contract extension was approved in 2012 during MR. Sukhumbhand’s first name.
The BMA also entered into agreements with BTSC to run two Skytrain expansion roads, Onnut-Bearing and Taksin-Wong Wian Yai, until 2042.
Under these deals, City Hall had pay BTSC 190 billion baht.
An NACC inquiry committee met on Monday and determined that the claims against MR. Sukhumbhand and the other 12 people have merit, according to Isara News Centre.
Before director Natthachak Pattamasigh retires later this month, the commission is anticipated to present its recommendations to the anti-graft system for a decision.
Additionally, worries have been expressed that any NACC legitimate action could have an impact on the government’s decision to impose a 20-baht flat-rate fare for light rail travel in the capital.
The government has stated that it should be able to provide 20-baht fares on state agency-operated lines, but making & nbsp would necessitate BTSC’s cooperation across the board.
Before choosing the fares for the city’s mass transit system, according to Mr. Srettha, a thorough investigation, including constitutional considerations, is required.
He continued by saying that the Transport Ministry had also inform the public of the situation.