File photo

 

Thailand's three-airport high-speed rail project has hit yet another delay following the House dissolution, which pushed the government into caretaker status and blocked further action on key contractual amendments.

 

The ambitious project, designed to link Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi, and U-Tapao airports, has stalled as the current Cabinet cannot approve long-term projects. This disruption arises after the House of Representatives was dissolved on 12 December, placing the Cabinet in caretaker status and preventing approval of several transport projects, including contract changes needed for the high-speed rail.

 

The State Railway of Thailand's (SRT) plan to amend the public-private partnership (PPP) contract for the project requires Cabinet approval, which is now on hold due to the political shift. Key proposed changes include restructuring payments related to the Airport Rail Link (ARL) and shifting to a "build-and-pay-as-you-go" model. These changes must align with legal standards, including comprehensive civil works guarantees as advised by the Attorney-General.

 

The SRT board has endorsed the amendments, but they await review by the Eastern Economic Corridor Office (EECO). The project's advancement depends on forming a new government able to consider these long-term legal commitments. The initial contract, signed on 24 October 2019 with the SRT and Asia Era One Co., Ltd., where CP Group is a key player, now hangs in the balance.

 

Delays have plagued the project amid changing administrations and renegotiations, including compensation for pandemic-induced losses approved in October 2021 during former Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha's tenure. Despite successive administrations, the draft amendments remain unapproved, keeping the project stagnant for over six years, reported The Nation.

 

Key Takeaways:

 

• The three-airport high-speed rail project faces further delays due to caretaker government limitations.
• Proposed contract amendments involve key structural and financial changes awaiting Cabinet approval.
• Completion of the project now hinges on future government action to give the final go-ahead.

 

Related Stories

High Speed train: Bangkok to Pattaya in less than 45 minutes after "historic" deal

Thai High-Speed Rail Stalled Amid Contractual Disputes

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Nation 2025-12-15

 

 

 

The Song Remains The Same

My theory is the Pattaya taxi & bus mafia have paid off the 'powers to be' NOT to build this railway   😎

I thought the Chinese People's group was running the show.

Life continues as usual in this fine land.

On 12/15/2025 at 7:12 AM, redwood1 said:

The Song Remains The Same

The wheels on the bus ?

Thailand desperately needs high speed rail throughout the nation not only for the movement of people but also for the movement of cargo, so that the highways can be freed of the insane congestion that we currently face. However if you look at the Rama II project, that is certainly all the evidence one needs to realize that if a project like this happens it likely won't be completed in our lifetimes.

Expected completion date 2057.

On 12/15/2025 at 7:29 AM, JoePai said:

My theory is the Pattaya taxi & bus mafia have paid off the 'powers to be' NOT to build this railway   😎

     Likely just the opposite.  The Pattaya station will dump hapless passsengers off in the middle of nowhere on the Darkside.  Clueless passengers will then need to find additional transportation to get them in to Pattaya and to their hotels.  This will create a whole new market for Pattaya taxis and possibly baht buses.

Will Never Happen ! How many years in planing ? 20 ?

2 hours ago, LALes said:

Expected completion date 2057.

I think that is optimistic, more likely by the time it is finished we would have mastered the art of transporter beams, and time travel.

On 12/15/2025 at 7:29 AM, JoePai said:

My theory is the Pattaya taxi & bus mafia have paid off the 'powers to be' NOT to build this railway   😎

same thing up here in Chiang Mai with public buses, corruption rears its ugly head

Pita was so right when he said Thailand’s position and status will diminish in the ASEAN region because those involved and responsible for the country continually make one step forward and two back halting it’s progress and development and will ensure it drops behind other countries.
Both Malaysia and Vietnam are likely to benefit from Thailands ineptitude in getting things done.

On 12/15/2025 at 5:59 AM, webfact said:

the current Cabinet cannot approve long-term projects

That's the result of a "caretaker government" with the dissolution of the House. As the PM and Election Commission set the date for the next National election, time could have been reserved for the House to address such funding prior to a formal election date. Apparently some key politicians were in a rush for immediate election  date. 

I am starting to think it will never happen.  The excuses keep changing and they seem to just keep kicking the can down the road.

10 hours ago, newnative said:

     Likely just the opposite.  The Pattaya station will dump hapless passsengers off in the middle of nowhere on the Darkside.  Clueless passengers will then need to find additional transportation to get them in to Pattaya and to their hotels.  This will create a whole new market for Pattaya taxis and possibly baht buses.

 

The idea is to link up the monorail with it.  Pattaya badly needs some kind of public transport to ease the ever worsening congestion, but not holding my breath of that happening anytime soon either.

11 hours ago, LALes said:

Expected completion date 2057.

A bit conservative methinks !

10 hours ago, shdmn said:

 

The idea is to link up the monorail with it.  Pattaya badly needs some kind of public transport to ease the ever worsening congestion, but not holding my breath of that happening anytime soon either.

     Yes, of course.  And, that project seems to be moving just as slowly.  What puzzles me is why the baht bus routes have not been expanded, in the meantime, to cover more parts of the city, while also being improved.   That foot-dragging on any changes is likely on the powers that control the baht bus business.

On 12/16/2025 at 4:52 PM, newnative said:

     Yes, of course.  And, that project seems to be moving just as slowly.  What puzzles me is why the baht bus routes have not been expanded, in the meantime, to cover more parts of the city, while also being improved.   That foot-dragging on any changes is likely on the powers that control the baht bus business.

 

I think the baht bus idea has run it's course.  Worked well for decades but not anymore.   You can often walk to your destination faster than a baht bus will get you there on many routes. 

On 12/16/2025 at 3:05 AM, newnative said:

     Likely just the opposite.  The Pattaya station will dump hapless passsengers off in the middle of nowhere on the Darkside.  Clueless passengers will then need to find additional transportation to get them in to Pattaya and to their hotels.  This will create a whole new market for Pattaya taxis and possibly baht buses.

 

To be followed by new bars and short time hotels around the new station for those who can’t wait.