Thai Cabinet nod for Transport Ministry mega-project plan

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INFRASTRUCTURE
Cabinet nod for Transport Ministry mega-project plan
Erich Parpart
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- THE CABINET has approved the Transport Ministry's action plan for the fiscal 2016 budget, which involves the auctioning process for 20 transportation projects worth Bt1.796 trillion between 2015 and 2017, while around Bt58.435 billion is expected to be disbursed to fund construction of some of the projects during the current fiscal year.

The 2016 fiscal year, which began in October, has a budget of Bt2.72 trillion and a deficit of Bt390 billion on expected revenue of around Bt2.33 trillion.

The investment budget through to September 30 next year has been set at Bt543.635 billion.

The 20 projects are part of the Transport Ministry's 2015-2020 master plans, which include investment under the public-private partnerships (PPP) scheme.

"Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith told the meeting that six projects are ready for auction within the first quarter of fiscal 2016, with a combined investment budget of Bt186.307 billion," Sansern Kaewkamnerd, the government spokesman, told reporters after yesterday's Cabinet meeting.

The projects are double-track railway from Chira Junction (Nakhon Ratchasima) to Khon Kaen; two special expressways, from Pattaya in Chon Buri to Map Ta Phut in Rayong, and from Bang Pa-in (Ayutthaya) to Nakhon Ratchasima; the Laem Chabang port-development project in Chon Buri province; the railway linkage development project to Laem Chabang port, phase 1; and the phase-2 expansion of Suvarnabhumi Airport.

Another 14 projects worth around Bt1.61 trillion that are ready for auction during 2016 and 2017 are: a motorway from Bang Yai to Kanchanaburi; four double-track railways with 1-metre gauge, from Map Ta Boa to Chira Jnction, Nakhon Pathom to Hua Hin, Prachuap Khiri Khan to Chumphon, and Lop Buri to Pak Nam Pho (Nakhon Sawan); four double-track railways with 1.435-metre standard gauge, from Nong Khai to Khon Kaen, Nakhon Ratchasima to Kaeng Khoi (Saraburi), Chachoengsao to Map Ta Phut, and Bangkok to Chiang Mai; and five electric mass-transit railways - the Metropolitan Rapid Transit's (MRT) Orange, Pink, Yellow, Light Red and Purple lines.

The source of funding for the 20 projects will be from public loans (70.46 per cent), PPP (20.98 per cent), fiscal budgets (4.68 per cent), fiscal revenue (3.09 per cent) and Transport Ministry toll-way fees (0.79 per cent), the spokesman said.

Meanwhile, of the Bt58.435 billion expected to be disbursed to fund the first six projects in the current fiscal year, Bt1.808 billion is targeted to be disbursed within the current fiscal quarter, Bt11.138 billion in the second quarter, Bt20.239 billion in the third and Bt25.216 billion in the final quarter.

"The measures and target disbursement are in accord with the PPP fast-track scheme, which was approved by the Cabinet last month, and there are many projects that have already been approved by the PPP Committee, such as the MRT's Pink and Yellow lines," Sansern explained.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/business/Cabinet-nod-for-Transport-Ministry-mega-project-pl-30274110.html


-- The Nation 2015-12-02

[StatlerandWaldorf]

Due to the huge amount of money involved in these projects I think it best that it is all dealt with while the military is still in charge, as they will ensure that there is no corruption involved and all is dealt with transparently.

[JoePai]

Due to the huge amount of money involved in these projects I think it best that it is all dealt with while the military is still in charge, as they will ensure that there is no corruption involved and all is dealt with transparently.

May I suggest you keep your tongue well inside your cheek...

[elgordo38]

Well I do not see any funding to improve the Chiang Mai traffic problem. Discussions on a monorail system has been ongoing for years. Read the great article in City Life magazine. You know Chiang Mai one of the fastest growing tourist destinations(hubs) in Thailand. There is talk of expanding the airport but that only means more people gridlock on the ground. I guess the fact that CM is the birthplace of the Shin dynasty has nothing to do with this fact. Maybe we should pass the hat for a new immigration office or even expanded services at the present one(which I hate but I would donate to get in and out fast hold on now I am already donating) but even that money could go astray.