Senate Probes Expressway Concession and New Route Plans

Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post

The Senate Committee on Political Development has accepted a petition from the Expressway Authority of Thailand Labour Union to investigate the government's extension of a private expressway concession and plans for a new double-deck expressway.

The committee, chaired by Senator Norasate Prachyakorn, will summon relevant agencies next week to address concerns about transparency and public participation.

The union opposes the proposal to extend Bangkok Expressway and Metro's (BEM) concession by 22 years without open bidding, citing potential violations of the Public–Private Partnership Act. They also question the necessity of the Ngam Wong Wan–Rama IX expressway due to insufficient community consultation and declining traffic volumes since 2019.

These concerns grew after Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn confirmed negotiations with BEM to cap tolls at 50 baht in exchange for constructing the new route. The ministry aims to finalize the agreement this month.

Labor union president Bandit Pruenglamphu argued that the current concession, valid until 2035, allows for state operation resumption without extending private control. He suggested the Kaset–Nawamin expressway as a more fitting alternative, reported Bangkok Post.

Key Takeaways

• The extension and new expressway plans raise transparency and public participation concerns.
• Negotiations with BEM involve lowering tolls, tied to constructing a new route.
• Union advocates for alternative routes due to decreased traffic volumes.

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  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-12-03