Union urges caution on high-speed rail contract

By THE NATION

 

Sawit Kaewvarn

 

Members of the State Railway Workers’ Union of Thailand led by Sawit Kaewvarn of the State Enterprise Workers Relation Confederation were at the government complaint centre on Wednesday (October 16) demanding cautious appraisal of a contract to build a high-speed railway linking the country’s three main airports.

 

The 220-kilometre, Bt2.24-billion railway is a public-private partnership (PPP) project the government plans to share with a consortium led by Charoen Pokphand, which won the bidding for the contract.

 

“According to the project schedule, the contract was supposed to have been signed last February, but the signing has been postponed several times,” Sawit said.

 

State Railway of Thailand (SRT) was recently assigned to hand over 82 per cent of the land required to CP so construction could begin within 15 months and be completed within five years, in accord with the terms of reference, but Sawit called the handover timeline “difficult and risky”.

 

“There are numerous people living on that land, legally and illegally,” he said, “and there are around 300 outstanding contracts between SRT and private agencies, including for the removal or modification of infrastructure [power cables, electric poles, water and gas pipes] and government buildings that could obstruct construction.”

 

He said the union wanted reassurance that the government had budgeted adequately for such contingencies and warned that SRT could face hefty penalties if not.

 

“It is highly likely that SRT cannot deliver 82 per cent of the land within 15 months, so we respectfully beg the prime minister, Eastern Economic Corridor policy committee and other relevant agencies to carefully consider the contract conditions.”

 

The union also urged the government to keep the project transparent by revealing all details to the public and to manage the development directly to avoid any controversy.

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30377454

 

-- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2019-10-16

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4 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

The union also urged the government to keep the project transparent by revealing all details to the public and to manage the development directly to avoid any controversy.

Funniest thing I have read today. Good one!

what the trade union has in common with it's employer, to beg the prime minister on behalf SRT?

 

in the normal world, trade unions would rather demand than beg. And they would defend workers rights, working conditions and better wages, and not be associated with employer 

12 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

He said the union wanted reassurance that the government had budgeted adequately for such contingencies

I'm sure that the officials that may have bought the land on the route previously during the delay will be adequately rewarded

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

“It is highly likely that SRT cannot deliver 82 per cent of the land within 15 months, so we respectfully beg the prime minister, Eastern Economic Corridor policy committee and other relevant agencies to carefully consider the contract conditions.”

The PM has publicly stated the contract will be signed this month.

Let the fiasco begin.

13 hours ago, londonthai said:

what the trade union has in common with it's employer, to beg the prime minister on behalf SRT?

 

in the normal world, trade unions would rather demand than beg. And they would defend workers rights, working conditions and better wages, and not be associated with employer 

Rather unusual to say the least, punching well outside his terms of reference or pay grade. 

Quote

linking the country’s three main airports

unless the line goes to Phuket it doesn't link the country's "three main airports."

Quote from Reuters:-

"CP, not known for its expertise in rail engineering, had previously said its consortium and strategic partners include China’s CITIC Group Corp, China Railway Construction, South Korea’s Hyundai, Germany’s Siemens, Italian-Thai Development Pcl and Japan Bank for International Cooperation"

 

From the Union's position (Thai workers), note the CHINESE inclusion in the consortium and I wonder how many CHINESE railway construction employees will be "imported" to build the line! Maybe they will be able to purchase discounted chicken and pork products at 7-11!

On 10/16/2019 at 7:49 PM, snoop1130 said:

Union urges caution on high-speed rail contract

All caution has been thrown to the wind.

First things first......before a contract has even been signed SRT have set the maximum fare at 330 baht, linking  U-Tapao airport with Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang in Bangkok.

Watch out CP Group you could be walking into a well sprung SRT trap, just like Hopewell.

 

 How oh how do we get our slice of the pie worry Members of the State Railway Workers’ Union of Thailand

I suppose CP will be hoping to have a 7-11 every 100 yards,

on the land along the rail route,if they sign.

regards worgeordie

2 hours ago, worgeordie said:

I suppose CP will be hoping to have a 7-11 every 100 yards,

on the land along the rail route,if they sign.

regards worgeordie

Difficult to stop a high speed train every 100 metres!

3 minutes ago, PatOngo said:

Difficult to stop a high speed train every 100 metres!

and a high speed train would not stop every 100 yards......it was sarcasm.

regards worgeordie