BTS likely denied concession extension, BEM probably given 30 more years

[snoop1130]

BTS likely denied concession extension, BEM probably given 30 more years

By THE NATION

 

Committee chairman Weerakorn Khamprakob (centre)

 

A parliamentary committee on Wednesday recommended against extending the BTS Skytrain concession but agreed to a conditional extension of the concession held by Bangkok Expressway and Metro Public Co Ltd (BEM).

 

Committee chairman Weerakorn Khamprakob said the 21-member panel voted 12-5 to let the Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT) extend its concessions with BEM on three expressway segments for another 30 years.

 

The Phalang Pracharat MP said most members felt that BEM’s 15-year operation had been a success, though some argued that the proposed 30-year extension should be halved in light of an arbitration tribunal’s ruling that EXAT must pay a colossal fine to BEM over a previous concession dispute.

 

The panel voted to establish a subcommittee to identify the EXAT officials who signed the problematic concession deal with BEM. 

 

Weerakorn also proposed a legal amendment requiring that all future concession disputes be considered only by the Administrative Court, removing the option of an arbitrative process as has also been used in the State Railway of Thailand’s clash with Hopewell.

 

Weerakorn said extending any BTS concession would leave all BTS infrastructure and assets in the company’s hands rather than becoming the property of the state, as represented by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) in this case.

 

The BMA would thus have no authority to lower fares in the long run as intended. 

 

Rather than extending the BTS concession, the panel recommended that the BMA issue bonds to ease its financial burden in dealing with existing BTS contract conditions.

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30375843

 

-- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2019-09-04

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[phil2407]

The panel voted to establish a subcommittee to identify the EXAT officials who signed the problematic concession deal with BEM. 

Why the need for another committee - aren't their signatures on the document when they signed the deal? Can't they read signature plus name or is that too difficult and want to waste taxpayers money plus expenses etc 555

[IAMHERE]

30 years? OMG, isn't that about 4 coups and 3 elected governments ?  Lease should could be much shorter probably.  Notice the word 'probably' ? That's a weasel, word so I may not get arrested and water boarded next time I'm in Thailand.

[Kinnock]

1 hour ago, phil2407 said:

The panel voted to establish a subcommittee to identify the EXAT officials who signed the problematic concession deal with BEM. 

Why the need for another committee - aren't their signatures on the document when they signed the deal? Can't they read signature plus name or is that too difficult and want to waste taxpayers money plus expenses etc 555

This is one of the many official phrases used by governments all over the world to mean 'do nothing'.

 

Set up a public enquiry = pretend to give a damn.

 

Set up a sub-committee = not even worth pretending to give a damn.

 

A thorough internal investigation = forgotten about it already. 

[pmh2009]

The Sky Train aka BTS is the most expensive mode of transport!!! with the the new line and new extensions can you imagine what the fares could be???? even now from Morchit to Bangna is like 65 Bahts???? If they have a tax and other concessions they should be in the hands of the state or BMA! It is only fair as they haven not accepted or paid the full costs and taxes. The only thing is that again the BIG CORPS have again had their way by buying whatever, whoever decides all these decisions... whatever committee that is hahaha... business as usual in the land of smiles --- where everyone gets what they want!!!!

[Cadbury]

16 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

A parliamentary committee on Wednesday recommended against extending the BTS Skytrain concession.

.........until a larger envelope arrives by courier.