2Bangkok.com - Airport Link News

Airport Link News
See also: Suvanabhumi Airport & visits to the construction site & Proposal for Bangkok's New Central Park & Hopewell Project
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Suvarnabhumi Airport railway link set to open early next year - TNA, March 28, 2008
The long-delayed Suvarnabhumi airport railway link project is expected to be completed by the end of this year and to open for service early next year, according to the project manager.
Speaking after leading a media tour to observe construction progress, Banjongsak Panthon, project manager and engineer, said the civil engineering portions of the airport railway link project is some 78.5 per cent complete and that the electrical and mechanical portions are about 80 per cent ready...

(Photo: 2Bangkok.com)

Airport Link tracks extends across the expressway - December 3, 2007

(Photo: 2Bangkok.com)

Airport Link tracks extends across the expressway - November 20, 2007

(Photo: 2Bangkok.com)

Airport Link terminal construction - November 12, 2007

Latest airport link photos - September 25, 2007
Thomas notes: I took some pictures of the Airportlink today. Check out the rails at the depot at soonvichai, is that how it should be?

(Photo: 2Bangkok.com)

Airport Link Station construction - September 14, 2007

(Photo: Bluey)

Latest photos of the airport link construction - June 9, 2007

(Photo: Bluey)

(Photo: www.tomasia.net)

Here comes the Airport Link - August 9, 2007
Tom comments: As some rumors going around concerning the Sky Train Link Construction and its possible delay and budget shortage, I would like to send you a picture showing a nice development of the construction. I took this photographs at Ramkamhaeng area during the last two weeks of July this year...

(Photo: Peter)

Airport link construction - March 31, 2007
Peter writes: Today... we passed the station for the train to the airport. I made some pictures of it and attached them to the mail...

City Air Terminal (CAT) of the Airport Rail Link - March 27, 2007
Pieter also points out: Saturday I passed over the Rama 9 expressway and saw that "they" are ready to hoist the first roof truss on the City Air Terminal (CAT) of the Airport Rail Link. Pity that I did not carry my camera. But while searching 2Bangkok it occurred to me that there are no pictures of how this building is going to look like (Or I overlooked them!). Fortunately, these pics are all on the web. On the very informative website www.airportraillink.com (all in Thai, but u can try the links).
Examples are:
The Makassan terminal (and drawings)
Ratchaprarop station
Phyathai station
Ramindra station
Huamak station
Ban Tap Chang station
Lad krabang station
Suvarnabhumi station
To place it in a spatial context: the map
Links to photographs of construction progress

(Source: Krungtep Turakit)

Airport link news

Left: Speeding up construction - Krungtep Turakit, September 5, 2006
The construction workers speed up to build the elevated rail system link to Suwanapoom airport. This case becomes part of the political retort agenda between Thai Rak Thai and Democrat party.

Train connecting new international airport with central Bangkok to open next year - AP, September 4, 2006

Airport link construction photos - September, 2006

Airport link construction photos - June 8, 2006

(Photo: 2Bangkok.com)

Airport link pillars - June 3, 2006
GoogleEarth placemark for the location here.

SRT asked to explain cracks - Bangkok Post, May 8, 2006
... Auditor-General Khunying Jaruvan Maintaka sent a letter to SRT governor Chitsanti Thanasophon on May 1 seeking an explanation of cracks found in 22 of 788 pillars and two other support beams...

SRT likely to extend deadline - Bangkok Post, April 24, 2006
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT), which has failed to hand over on time a construction site for the Suvarnabhumi airport rail link, will probably extend the completion deadline by nearly a year to 2008, despite opposition from the transport minister...
Stecon has asked the SRT to postpone the completion date of the Airport Railway Link by 12 months from November next year.
However, Transport Minister Pongsak Raktapongpaisal said he would not extend the deadline and the contractor would be fined if it fails to do the job on time...

Hopewell cutting compensation request from 58 to 28 billion baht - translated and summarized by Wisarut Bholsithi from Than Setthakij, January 8-11, 2006
Hopewell is cutting the compensation request from 58.929510146 billion baht to 28 billion baht and settling almost all claims--from 44 claims to 1 remaining claim since there are no witnesses to back up the claims. The remaining single claim is about "the termination of concession" issue.
The remaining 28 billion baht request is the damage on the collateral of 2.8 billion baht, the investment of 14 billion baht and the LC of 0.038 million baht and accumulated interests of LC.
SRT is waiting for the decision of the mediator to make a final settlement of the Hopewell saga.
More on the Hopewell Project and the Makkasan Depot

Transportation news for Suvannabhum Airport - translated and summarized by Wisarut Bholsithi from Transport Journal, January 16-22, 2006
1) Airprot express bus for the following routes
1.1) Silom - Suvannabhum
1.2) Bang Lam Phoo - Suvannabhum
1.3) Sukhumvit - Suvannabhum
1.4) Hua Lamphong - Suvannabhum
Either private concession holders or hotels can operate these express buses on the following four routes with the following conditions attached:
1) No passenger stops along the route allowed.
2) No subcontracting to other companies.
2) Transit buses - either by Transportation Co. Ltd. (for intercity services to Suvannabhum via motorways) or BMTA (within tha Bangkok vicinities). BMTA already has seven routes.
3) Airport taxi - accordign to the meter plus 50 baht surcharge in the same way as Don Muang Airport Taxi. However, all the taxis must be brand new ones.
4) Limo service - only limos with engines of at least 1900 CC and space for at least 2 big suicases and NGV engines allowed for limo service to Suvannabhum.

Pheng speeding up Makkasan Complex project - Wants a single concession holder - translated and summarized by Wisarut Bholsithi from Manager Daily and Matichon, January 10, 2006
Minister Pheng is asking SRT to speed up the bidding on the 400 rai of Makkasan to create Makkasan Complex after getting a concession holder for 10 mass transit lines in Bangkok. SRT was compelled to do PR efforts to attract potential bidders to be ready for bidding in the fourth quarter of 2006.
Minister Pheng said he wants a single concession holder to handle both construction and land development [repeating the Hopewell Saga?] because he does not want to have another headache from different contractors and the developers was the plan of [former Transport Minister] Minister Suriya. The concession for the private section would be 30 years which can be renewed for up to 60 years.
SRT can reap revenue from this concession from
1) Leasing - has to follow the market rate as a minimum. Highest leasing payment would be under serious consideration.
2) Revenue sharing - extra revenue SRT can get from private concession holders.
This revenue sharing scheme would add more income for SRT instead of giving away the SRT land to Treasury Dept. since Treasury Department has depressed the prices of SRT land to unacceptable levels--4 billion baht for Makkasan land instead of 8 billion baht according to the SRT estimation.
This new scheme would enable SRT to write off the outstanding debts.
So far, investors from European countries such as Italy are keen to participate in the project.

Airport link photos - January 11, 2006
Tom writes: I did some some pics from the construction progress on the airport link. Right now they are breaking Nasa Spacedrome down and slicing parts away on the Hopewell Pillars. Will do some more pics in the next weeks. After slicing - The rest of the series - Before slicing

Mega-business centre planned - Bangkok Post, January 10, 2006
International bids will be called later this year for the development of a transport and business complex costing up to 300 billion baht on the 400-rai Makkasan workshop compound of the State Railway of Thailand (SRT), Transport Minister Pongsak Raktapongpaisal said yesterday. He said he has ordered the SRT to publicise the Makkasan Complex project internationally and call for tenders once the bidding for the 10 mass transit routes in Bangkok has been completed...

Airport link report: 20% done - Ready for testing by the end of 2007 - translated and summarized by Wisarut Bholsithi from Dailynews, December 23, 2005
Mr. Thoedsak Setthamanop (Deputy Permanent Secretary of MOTC), SRT Governor Jittisen Thanasophon, and members of MOTC and SRT top brass have come to the construction site to inspect the progress on the 28.5km Suvannabhum Airport Link and Suvannabhum City Air Terminal at the following places:
1) City Air Terminal at New Makkasan Station (interchange with MRT)
2) Depot at Klong Tan Station (near RCA)
3) The track construction all the way from Phyathai to Lad Krabang
Governor Jittisen said he gives the highest priority to the City Air Terminal and the new Makkasan Station. So far, the contractors have laid 346 foundation pins from the target of 630 pins. The whole project is 20% done which is delayed and lags from the target by 12% due to trouble with slum dwellers behind Decha Hospital which have been brainwashed by the local mafia. This has caused the section at Phayathai intersection near Decha Hospital to be a troublesome section. The settlement with slum dwellers will be done in the next three months and the construction can be speeded up after that.
SRT would no longer consider filling in Klong Khaek in Lad Krabang district to make a residential area for both slum dwellers and SRT workers after receiving strong complaints from the local Lad Krabang people. Therefore, SRT would consider using the leftover space from SRT land near either Lad Krabang ICD or Hua Takhe area to make a new residential place for slum dwellers and SRT workers.
Siemens is starting the assembly of Desiro rolling stock for Suvannabhum Airport Link. SRT needs 31 sets, 16 sets for Suvannabhum Airport Express while the other 15 sets are for Suvannabhum Airport Transit. The first batch of Desiro rolling stocks would be ready for test runs in Thailand by the end of the third quarter of 2007 for the service by the end of 2007.

Airport Link showdown over filling the Lam Khaek Canal - translated and summarized by Wisarut Bholsithi from Dailynews and Manager, November 24, 2005
The head of Lad Krabang District said that the plan to fill up Klong Lam Khaek canal (the 30-meter wide canal connecting with Prawet Burirom canal, very close to KMITL) to make a new home for railway workers along with slum dwellers from Hua Mark and Makkasan is totally unacceptable even though SRT has claimed that Klong Lam Kaek Canal is on SRT land despite the current status of Klong Kaek as a "public stream."
Klong Kaek is a canal near Hua Takhe Railway station. SRT has asked the Community Development Agency to develop the land of 5400 square meters for SRT railway workers and slum dwellers from Hua Mark and Makkasan.
Even though SRT has temporarily halted the project for awhile, SRT has allowed the contractors of Suvannahum Airport Link to move their heavy machines into the area. This have causes 1000-2000 KMITL students along with other schools nearby to revolt against SRT. This has forced Lad Krabang District Office to ask for police to control the demonstration.
Lad Krabang District Office said even though Klong Lam Khaek canal is within SRT land, SRT should never fill the canal since it is a public canal for draining floods to Prawet Burirom canal. Without this canal, Lad Krabang would be sink into deep floods, especially KMITL, Protphitayaphayat School,etc.
So far, SRT refuses to send those from the Board of Directors to make a settlement on this issue. They just speed up the Airport Link to meet the deadline without consulting local people.
The Electric Train Administration Bureau has retorted to Lad Krabang district office that those local people of Lad Krabang can claim that Klong Khaek is public canal since there will be a slum near the university. However, SRT insists that the full right to do anything on SRT even though SRT has allowed to use SRT land for public purpose such as Kamphaeng Phet 7 Local Road. However, SRT has full authority to temporary suspend the public usage of SRT land even though the filling Klong Lam Kaem has permanently altered the water flow for flood prevention. The local people of Ladkrabg would have to take full responsibility for damages if the Airport Link is delayed.
Nevertheless, the growing opposition against the plan to fill up Klong Lam Kaek have compelled MOTC to intervene by temporarily suspending the project so as to allow Gen Surayut Jullanone [Privy Council] and Minister Pheng to make a settlement on the land for slum dwellers without offending the sensitivity of those who live in KMITL.

Who will run the Airport Link? - translated and summarized by Wisarut Bholsithi from Than Sretthakij, November 3, 2005
The SRT Board is drafting a TOR for running the Airport Link service with three choices. A private concession is preferred.
1) Hiring the private sector - Very fast, but needs extra maintenance cost on rolling stock and system.
2) Issuing private concession - Preferred by SRT since it shifts the burden of maintenance to the private sector, but frown upon by the government because they cannot impose price control on ticket fees for and it takes a long time to implement and comply with the Joint venture Act of BE 2535.
3) Running services by themselves - Preferred by the government and some members of the SRT Board, but there is a big worry about the mishandling Airport Link services. Therefore SRT would have to hire experts to train SRT officers to handle Airport Link services.
SRT Electric Train Bureau is going to invite AOT-Thai Inter to run the City Air Terminal. The settlement will be submitted to MOTC and soon after SRT can negotiate with AOT.
So far, the Airport Link is 20% in progress--delayed by 6%. However there is no worry as the cause is too much rain. They still hope to get it done in November 2007.
SRT has hired STECON on September 28, 2005 to demolish Hopewell structures along with the removal of infrastructure that obstructs the track since with a price tag of 206.4769 million baht. This is to be done in 180 days. So far, 20 Hopewell structures from 50 total have been removed.

SRT-AOT negotiate to share responsibility for the Airport Link - translated and summarized by Wisarut Bholsithi from Manager Daily, October 31, 2005
SRT and AOT and Thai Inter is negotiating on the sharing of responsibility for the Suvannabhum Airport Link.
1) SRT runs the services
2) AOT and Thai Inter run the City Air Terminal at Makkasan
The division of responsibility is according the expertise of each agency, but SRT has to hire experts to teach SRT railway officers to run the Airport Link services.
The project has been delayed by 5-6% (to 19-20%) from the target of 25-26% due to the rainy season and that some sections of the Airport Link are within the dense community of Pratoo Nam - Phayathai - Phetburi.
There is no problem with the section from Hua Mark to Lad Krabang. SRT hopes that the contractors would finish the project by the end of November 2007.

Suvannabhum Airport Link delay - Contractors doubt it will be done by December 2007 - One year delay likely - translated and summarized by Wisarut Bholsithi from Prachachart Thurakij, October 24, 2005
After nine months of construction, the works is 6-7% done, 5-6% behind the ideal schedule of 12%. Most of the work is to clear the land and push the support pillars. Contractors are complaining about the protests from slum dwellers along the railway line who refuse to allow contractors to enter the construction site.
The Hopewell pillars, rains and floods have obstructed the project. The contractors expect the project to be delayed from the target end date of December 2007 by 12 months.
STECON has bitterly complained that they can enter only four construction sites from TV 11 to Lad Krabang via RCA, Klong Tan and Rom Klao (which are the vacant areas).
The other 50% are forbidden areas due to slum dwellers (backed-up up by the mafia) who refuse to move to Hua Takhe. Furthermore, the flood and rains are barriers to be overcome.
There are 300 households of slum dwellers in the following places:
1) Makkasan Lake which is a place for at least 300 railway worker households at Makkasan Depot, the factory wall, and near the rail tracks.
2) The community behind Decha Hospital of 85 households
3) Klong Tan community of 135 households
4) Thap Kaeo communities of 5 households near Klong Tan station
5) Other illegal settlers--128 households
STECON has removed some of the 25 Hopewell structures and 44 Hopewell pillars, but STECON has not removed NASA Spacedrome since they have not yet had approval from the SRT Board.
Further trouble is the elevated track of 400 meters constructed by ITD for transporting the ballast for the construction of Suvanabhum Airport. ITD refuses to allow STECON to remove that elevated ballast track so they need permission from the SRT Board to settle with ITD before constructing the line from Lad Krabang to NBIA. Furthermore, ITD has left construction debris in the tunnel to reach NBIA so they have to get permission to remove the debris before constructing the track from Lad Krabang to NBIA.
STECON also told the Prachachart correspondent that they have to enter eight other construction sites including NBIA, Makkasan, and Asok Halt. However, it is impossible to meet the deadline of November 5, 2007 due to the fact that SRT has failed to remove slum dwellers along with the removal of high voltage power lines at Klong Tan. These troubles have delayed the project by 7-8 months even with SRT Board approval. Failure to get the approval from the SRT Board would delay the projects by more than 24 months. The red tape concerning the SRT Board approval process is another problem.
No Approval, No Progress. Even with SRT Board approval, slum dwellers still refuse to allow contractors to enter the area.
However, SRT Governor Jittisen insists that he will force the contractor to finish the project by the end of December 2007 by claiming that SRT has already cleared the slum dwellers off SRT land along the Eastern line and pushed them to live in the Hua Takhe area. Furthermore, the SRT Governor has claimed that the SRT Board has settled with Excaliber on the Nasa Spacedrome issue with the extending of land leasing as the compensation. They also claim that they have removed the railway tracks of ITD along with Hopewell pillars so they do not believe the claims by contractors (STECON - PYCON) that they cannot move the all heavy machines onto construction sites, instead of just 14 pillar derricks.

More on the end of NASA Spacedrome and the Airport Link Construction

SRT still has a dispute with Excaliber on NASA Spacedrome compensation - translated and summarized by Wisarut Bholsithi from Dailynews, July 8,2005
SRT still has a dispute with Excaliber on the NASA Spacedrome compensation: 141 million baht from SRT vs. 158 million baht that Excaliber wants.
OTP is studying the section from Bangsue to Makkasan and Bang to Hualamphong while hiring consultants to handle the detailed design of Taksin Center, Hualamphong-Wongwain Yai-Mahachai Red Line commuter, new Rama 6 Expressway with the Red Line commuter from Bangsue to Talingchan all to be done in 2010.

Deal on Dome demolition - Bangkok Post, July 11, 2005
...The agreement for its demolition, to start this month, was reached yesterday after the State Railway of Thailand and the Excalibur Park Co settled on a 150-million-baht compensation deal, Suthon Jetkeskan, an SRT official in charge of the Airport Rail Link project, said.
...The firm was expected to inform the SRT about its decision today, the official said. Sino-Thai Engineering and Construction has already begun construction of the 28-km-long rail link from Phaya Thai to the new airport in Samut Prakan's Bang Phli district.

The 114 km Red Line Commuter network requiring expropriation of 20,000 houses - translated and summarized by Wisarut Bholsithi from Dailynews, July 8, 2005
The OTP Director told the press that Premier Thaksin has asked OTP about the 114-km electrified red line commuter networks and OTP told Premier Thaksin that it is necessary to expropriate 20,000 houses.
Therefore, OTP has to ask NHA to come up with a new series of Ban Eua Arthon not so far from the railway tracks which requires the supervision from the landlord (SRT) to minimize conflicts.
OTP said that the contractors who are handling the Suvannabhum Airport Link are entering into 90% of SRT areas. The other 10% are disputed areas in Phyathai-Rajprarob sections [AKA Decha Hospital], Makkasan Railway Housing and Nasa Spacedrome section [Klong Tan] despite the claim from SRT that STECON could take heavy machines to those disputed areas. Furthermore, SRT has not signed the contract with STECON to demolish 30 troublesome Hopewell Pillars despite SRT claims that STECON can do so. This continuing delay [now more than 5%] would only cause SRT to pay a fine to STECON.

SRT asking for 120 billion baht private investment on 300-rai of Makkasan Depot - translated and summarized by Wisarut Bholsithi from Thaipost, June 29, 2005 and Post Today, June 29, 2005

SRT is pushing Makkasan land development forward with a business and entertainment center with a private joint venture of 120 billion baht while working on a joint venture with PTT PCL on an Energy Complex with 4 billion baht annual revenue - 18 billion baht in 30 years.
SRT Governor is telling the press that SRT is working on a 120 billion baht joint venture project on 342-rai Makkasan Depot/Maintenance Center to support Suvannabhum Airport Link.
So far, SRT is allocating space for land development at Makkasan without the interruption of regular maintenance. SRT is seeking the private sector to handle the development such as
1) 2 Makkasan Railway Hotels of 5-star type
2) Shopping center
3) Apartments
4) 4 condominiums
5) Export mart and Export center
6) Office buildings
7) Highlighted twin towers with convention center
8) New Park and Ride for 5000 cars
Each section requires over 1 billion baht investment, so it has to follow the BE2535 Joint Venture Act. The finish date for Makkasan Center will be by December 2008. The 6-billion baht Energy Complex on SRT land currently the HQ of PTT PCL has become a joint venture with PTTEP and PPT PCL under the company name "ENCO" with preliminary registered capital of 800 million baht.
SRT has invested 200 million baht (25% of registered capital) before offering IPO in the stock market so as to receive the dividend of 4.618 billion baht in 30 years - much better deal than the current leasing with PTT of 0.626 billion baht in 30 years. The target revenue for Energy Complex is 18 billion baht in 30 years. SRT would make a total investment in both projects of 6 billion baht.
SRT is working on the construction of the first four buildings as compensation for 160 families of SRT workers (40 families for each building) in Bangsue Railway Yard-- to be done and ready for SRT e workers and families in October 2005. After that, SRT will demolish all the old housing for SRT workers (some SRT housing was built after WWII to replace the old housing at Saphan Nopphawongse, near SRT HQ). This energy complex is to be done and ready to be opened in 2008.
There is no objection from the SRT Trade Union for the demolishing of the old housing since the new housing is not too far away from their offices. However, both projects must be approved by the cabinet.

Paholyothin Transport Center - February 26, 2005
[Some info about the Paholyothin masterplan. It is likely some version of this scheme will be revived for the upcoming Red Line Commuter and Pink Airport Link]
Pas of Bangkok Highrises reports: On the commuter train website that 2B linked to today there is a rendering of the Paholyothin Transport Center project.
There are some background info of this project in Art4d Magazine.
The Paholyothin masterplan was prepared in 1998 by a group of consultants (A-Seven Corporation, SJA+3D and Creative Design). It's not clear who commissioned the masterplan, though most likely BMA or the Transport Ministry.
The study area is bounded to the north by the existing SRT railway line (future northern commuter line), to the south by Paholyothin Rd, Khlong Bang Sue to the west and PTT complex to the east (eastern boundary of Jatujak Park).
The project is divided into three zones/phases of implementation: the first stage, Zone 1 connects the site and the rest of the City through various transport nodes (skytrain, subway and high-speed station). This zone comprises hotels, markets and offices and include Bang Sue Mai and Hua Lampong 2 trains stations.
Zone 2 is designed as a center for conferences and international business which exploits the airport rail link and serve as connecting point for the other two zone. The planner hope this second stage of development will create a 'domino' effect in terms of growth.
Zone 3 is for "High tech and research center" which adopt the them 'Eye of the Future." Land use in this zone will have to be flexible as the first and second phase could take between 20-30 years to develop.
Three maps of the project: Paholyothin Transport Center (81kb), Paholyothin Transport Center (198kb), Paholyothin Transport Center (178kb)

(Photo: www.ntbr.org)

Above: Rendering of the planned Airport Link terminal at Makkasan

Red Line Commuter and Pink Airport Link website - February 23, 2005
Wisarut points out: OTP has set up a website to give the info and educate Thai netters about Red Line Commuter and Pink Airport Link. Earlier: The Department of City Planning & the case of Lat Krabang

Nasa Spacedrome/Airport link news - February 25, 2005

Excaliber agrees to allow SRT to demolish two buildings at Nasa Spacedrome to construct the Airport Link, but SRT has to extend the lease by 10 years and pay about 200 million baht compensation (translated and summarized by Wisarut Bholsithi from Manager Daily, February 22, 2005).

Nasa Spacedrome Scandal: SRT having to pay 200 million baht for compensation - translated and summarized by Wisarut Bholsithi from Matichon, February 21, 2005
After the investigation, so many loopholes have pushed SRT into a great disadvantage in dealing with Nasa Spacedrome--such as allowing the construction of a building on SRT land within the 40 meter buffer without asking for a fine--due to economic hard times of 1998--and the 20 year extension of the land lease.

Disco owner hands over needed land - Bangkok Post, February 23, 2005
The owner of a disused discotheque will hand back some of the land so it can be used for the high speed rail link planned between Bangkok and the new international airport...
To be demolished are the discotheque building and its backyard storage building. They cover 4,017.5 square metres of the total 9,178-square-metre rented plot...

SRT eyes Nasa loophole - The Nation, February 18, 2005
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) is confident it has found a legal loophole that will allow it to take back land upon which the Nasa discotheque sits, without having to worry about complaints about a broken lease from the tenant, Excalibur Park Co Ltd...

Makkasan project 'under wraps' - No word on largest redevelopment plan - Bangkok Post, February 2, 2005
[Most SRT projects are irregular in some way and it seems the Makkasan development plan is no different.]
...Yongtanit Pimonsathean, a lecturer at King Mongkut's Institute of Technology at Lat Krabang, was puzzled by the fact the State Railway of Thailand was going ahead with the capital's largest urban redevelopment project with little or no consultation with state agencies who would be affected by the project, or even the various stake holders and the public...
''The government has recently allocated a budget of 28.8 billion baht to the scheme, but we have not heard anything whatsoever about what railway authorities will do with the 100 hectare (one square kilometre) plot of land,'' he told a seminar on ''Redevelopment Strategy for a Sustainable Bangkok.''
...''The government, which allocated the budget, may want it to be like this in order to work 'easier'. If the project is carried out in a hush-hush manner the result will be big buildings owned by one group of people,'' he said.

Troubles with the Airport Link - Hopewell and NASA Spacedrome asking for 58 billion baht compensation - translated and summarized by Wisarut Bholsithi from Than Setthakij, February 10-12, 2005
Hopewell (Thailand) and NASA Spacedrome are asking for 58 billion baht compensation since SRT terminated the contract without consent from Hopewell while Excaliber Co.Ltd. (the owner of NASA Spacedrome) is asking not to remove their abandoned NASA Spacedrome discotheque while asking for a lease extension for another 20 years along with the right to connect the building with Ram Khamhaeng Station (Kong Tan area).
SRT source said they may not be able to transfer the land to the contractors within 90 days which may cause litigation with the contractors. This is due to the troublesome Hopewell that is asking for 58 billion baht compensation while SRT is going to ask for 200 billion baht compensation from Hopewell.
SRT has send attorneys to negotiate with the mediators whether they will take the Hopewell issue into account or not. If not, the construction can be started immediately. Otherwise, both Hopewell and SRT need to come up with a compromise for the civil court settlement.
The delayed project will create cost overruns from increasing interest rates and SRT has not found the sources for the loan yet. The termination of Hopewell is due to the delayed construction which forced SRT to come up with a arbitrary decision.
Furthermore, the Excaliber Co. Ltd. refuses to allow land expropriation on the abandoned NASA Spacedrome and the lease will not expire for another 10 years. Furthermore, Excaliber Co. Ltd. is asking for a lease extension for another 20 years and to not have the area expropriated Instead they want to ask permission from SRT to construct a via duct connecting the new commercial buildings with Ram Khamhaeng Station.
For the case of via duct, SRT agrees with the company, but SRT refuses to extend the lease or add another 20 years. The only alternative is to make a route or station readjustment so as to avoid hitting NASA Spacedrome area.
Also: Disco delay for the fast train - The Nation, February 12, 2005

Closing down local road (Kamphaengphet 7) for Airport Link construction from February 15, 2005 - SRT website, January 26, 2005

Airport links bids and looming problems-- the Hopewell pillars and evicting slum dwellers - translated and summarized by Wisarut Bholsithi from Manager, December 14, 2004, Thai Post, December 14, 2004, and Prachachart Thurakij, December 13-15, 2004
SRT Deputy Director of Development and Planning section told the press that the financial proposal of B Grimm is the cheapest deal at 28.49776 billion baht, and they disqualified Ch. Karnchang since their financial proposal has violated the TOR.

The financial statement can be said as follows:

	Construction Cost	Interest Rate	Fee	Total (billion baht)
B Grimm	25.917	1.36423	1.6653	28.49776 (MLR-2)
ITD1	25.917	1.73419	1.6653	29.31772 (MLR-1)
ITD2	29.449	1.70640	1.54607	32.70147

(ITD comes up with 2 schemes--one with with MLR-1 rate and the other with MLR-2 rate)

Ch. Karnchang has been disqualified due to the violation of the TOR since Ch Karnchang contract said SRT has to pay back the creditors (JBIC) in yen, not in baht.
Only the final approval from the SRT Board and contract signing ceremony is needed. However, SRT said they think they can cut down the costs further by asking B Grimm and KfW to fix the interest rate at MLR-2 since there is a trend that the interest rate is going up due to interest rates. Private contractors can borrow money according the work which is done.
However, problems are looming on the horizon: eviction of slum dwellers who threaten civil disobedience and disputes about Hopewell pillars.
The delay of land transfer to B Grimm could cause a compensation problem in the same way ETA has experienced with Ch. Karnchang on the Bang Na-Bang Pakong Expressway. This is because SRT has not come up with any plan to remove infrastructure, obstacles, or evict slum dwellers yet, so they have not asked for the extra money to handle such messy matters until recently. The latest news said SRT has asked MOTC for 1.197 billion baht which can be allocated as follows:
1) 340 million baht of infrastructure
2) 402 million baht for removing the obstacles
3) 455 million baht for consultant to handle this removal.
Even worse, slum dwellers still refuse to move, delaying land transfer and there are only 3-4 months left for removing these things. The continuing dispute about the Hopewell pillars without resolution from the Attorney General Office is another serious problem since Hopewell refuses to recognize the verdict from the Attorney General which states that if the (original contract) terminates, all the structures will have to revert to SRT and Hopewell is disputing this in court.
Any delay of this project will force SRT to pay compensation in the same way ETA has to pay Ch. Karnchang.
The list of infrastructure removal is:
1) Makkasan Depot and Maintenance center -> track and buildings for SRT officers
2) 85 households of the neighborhood behind Decha Hospital
3) 135 households of Klongtan neighborhood
4) Railway signal removal
5) 44 hopewell single pillars and 25 abandoned structures
6) Nasa complex
7) NHA Thub Kaeo housing
8) Old Hopewell office
All of those messy structures which are within a 40 meter radius from the middle of the Eastern Railway tracks have to be removed within 3-4 months.
Commentary by Wisarut: Many are upset that the Hopewell pillars cannot be used for the new project. Thai Post said the extra 3 billion baht (interests and fee) is another sign of cost overruns.

More details of the Airport Link - translated and summarized by Wisarut Bholsithi from Prachachart Thurakij, December 15-17, 2004
The Airport Link is closer to become a reality after B Grimm + STECON + Siemens has won the bid. The whole eastern line has too many illegal squatters and three months to remove them is too short. The Hopewell controversy is another headache that SRT has to deal with because Hopewell is asking for either the termination of the Airport Link or compensation for demolished pillars. SRT is just asking for the budget to seal the area though.
The SRT claim of easy removal of illegal squatters on SRT land is nonsense. SRT better prepare to handle the scandals like the Bangna-Bang Pakong controversy where ETA had to pay compensation to Ch. Karnchang [because of slow removal of squatters].
The initial section from Phyathai to Hua Mark requires eviction as well as the demolition of buildings that penetrate the 40 meter width of the SRT area. The later section requires land expropriation at the curve to NBIA.
The eviction list is:
1) 300 houses of illegal squatters at the following places:
1.1) 85 households behind Decha Hospital
1.2) 135 households at Klong Tan
1.3) 5 households at Thub Kaeo
1.4) 128 households along the Eastern railways
2) 25 abandoned pieces of abandoned Hopewell structure and 44 single pillars
3) NHA Thub Kaeo neighborhood
4) Parking lot at Nasa Complex (Ram Khamhaeng station)
5) Parking Lot at OA Cinema (Raj Prarob station)
6) Rail track within Makkasan Maintenance center, Factory Brick fence, and SRT Worker Housing
After removing all these things, SRT will ask Community Development Organizations to build new apartments with 30-year leasing on SRT land and new SRT apartments for SRT workers at Bang Sue to replace the old ones at Makkasan.
Station areas: All elevated except Suvannabhum which has to be underground.
Height of elevated tracks: 17 - 20.5 meters.
At grade track: 600 meters
Underground station: 15 meters deep
Connection: BTS at Phayathai and MRTA Subway at Phetburi
Future Connections: Red Line commuter and Orange Line
Estimated number of passengers in the first year of service: 130,000 passengers a day
Tickets: 100 baht (express -> Phyathai-NBIA, 10 baht + number of kilometers for the transit version)
There will be eight stations:
1) Phyathai - connecting with BTS and some business buildings if requested
2) Raj Prarob - connecting with major buildings and commercial centers around Pratoo Nam, OA Cinema, and old Makkasan Station.
3) New Makkasan/Asok - on 19.6 rai of land with City Air terminal
4) Ram Khamhaeng - connecting with Phetburi, Phatthnakarn, Ram Khamhaeng
5) Hua Mark - connecting with Sri Nakharin
6) Thub Chang - connecting with Kanchanaphisek, Bangkok -Chonburi Motorway
7) Lad Krabang - near Rom Klao interchange
8) NBIA
The depot: 40-Rai of SRT land at Klong Tan
Investment plan: Turnkey with concession to run the system with profit and they will run Makkasan Complex as well.
After NBIA has become a reality, 600 rai of land at Makkasan Depot and Maintenance center has to be developed, but the plan will come up in the next two months. However, the first 100 rai will be under commercial development--at Makkasan City Air Terminal for new Railway Hotel, Office, Store, Park and ride, and bus terminal to become the new business center.

(Photo: Nils)

Abandoned Hopewell pillars with the "sports land" in the background

Where is the "sports land"? - December 14, 2004
Where is the "sports land" mentioned in the Thai papers last week (SRT asking BMA to give back sports land for the Airport Link - Thairath, December 8, 2004)?
Nils writes: It seems the sports land they mean is that one opposite Khlong Tan Railway Station, adjacent to the 'local road' (Kamphaeng Phet 7, along the Eastern Railway) and the flyover from Ekkamai across New Phetburi towards Artnarong-Ram Inthra Expressway. I found the mysterious Pradit Manutham Rd on this map.

SRT asking BMA to give back sports land for the Airport Link - translated and summarized by Wisarut Bholsithi from Thairath, December 8, 2004
SRT is asking BMA to return the 25-rai of land around Soi Soonwijai 4 and Pradit Manootham Road for the construction of the depot for the Suvannabhum Airport Link. BMA agreed with SRT about the land expropriation and in September 2004 asked the local MPs (such as MP Issara Sunthornwat [Democrat] of the 30th district) to raise a 20-million baht fund for a new BMA basketball and aerobic exercise field on 12.5 rai of land at Ekkamai interchange [New Phetburi Road]. There will be a facility for the blind as well as for children, basketball players, X-game players (skateboarders). This will be done by July 2005.

SRT officially declares STECON-B Grimm-Siemens as the winner - translated and summarized by Wisarut Bholsithi from Manager and Prachachart Thurakij, December 13-15, 2004
SRT has officially declared B Grimm-STECON-Siemens the winner of the bidding for Suvannabhun Airport Link since the interest rate + construction cost + fee are still within the 30 billion baht threshold. SRT Board said they feel very confident on the bidding process and the contract will be signed by the end of this year. After that, SRT will make another bid in the next two months for a company to run Suvannabhum Airport Link as a money-making agency.
B Grimms Group said the group has asked STECON to calculate the minimum cost with low hedging reserve while still keeping the K value.
Siemens AG has long experience with rolling stock productions and they have already handled Subway and Skytrain. Furthermore, some of the spare parts of rolling stock can be produced from the Siemens factory in Malaysia which was set up for KL Express. Therefore, these factors have contributed to lower cost of rolling stock production. STECON is handling 48% of the stock while B Grimm and Siemens are handling the rest.
Ch. Karnchang said they made too much hedging cost for the future in their bid, so it adds too much cost on production - in construction materials and the rolling stocks imported from Japan.
However, SRT said the final results will be announced by SRT board on December 20 and contract will be signed by the end of 2004. Construction will start in 2005 and will take 3 years and 3 months to be done.
Suvanbhum Airport Link is a project Siemens had strong determination to win at all cost by making a joint venture with STECON even thought Siemens had no connection with them before.

Bids for the Airport link - translated and summarized by Wisarut Bholsithi from Manager Daily, December 8, 2004
Actual bidding price are:
STECON + Siemens + B Grimm
25.917 billion baht -> 60,209 baht lower than medium price with the KfW + Kasikorn Thai Bank Loan rate of MLR-2 (Floated rate) or MLR -1 (Fixed rate) + and the 3% surcharge for turnkey project + hedging cost + VAT -> total 1.666535700 billion baht
ITD + CITIC + CAF
29.949 billion baht -> with CITIC Loan rate of MLR-2 (for the first 18.330 billion) and MLR -1 (for 15 billion baht) + the 5.2% surcharge for turnkey project
CK + Mitsui + Kinki Sharyo
43.53529622891 billion baht with JBIC Loan rate of MLR-1.75 + the 1.1% surcharge for turnkey project
It is quite easy for B Grimm and Siemens to transfer workers who worked on the Subway and Skytrain to handle the Airport Link. Half of the project will be done by Bilfinger.
The Official result will be announced on December 20.
STEC stock is now 8.35 baht - Down by 0.75 baht (-8.24%)
CK stock is now 12.50 baht - Down 0.40 baht (-3.10%)
ITD stock is now 9 baht - down 0.30 baht (-3.23%)
From the foreign press: Sino-Thai Offers Lowest Bid for Airport Train Link - Bloomberg.com, December 8, 2004
A group led Sino-Thai Engineering & Construction Pcl, Thailand's third-largest construction company, offered the lowest bid to build a railway line to Bangkok's new international airport, a government official said...

STECON unofficially won the bid for the Suvannabhum Airport Link - translated and summarized by Wisarut Bholsithi from Manager Daily, December 8, 2004
After the bidding for Suvannabhum Airport Link, the results are
1) STECON + Bilfinger + Siemens + B. Grimm -> 25.9 billion baht
2) ITD + CITIC + CAF -> 29.4 billion baht
3) CK + Mitsui + Mitsubishi Heavy Industry + Kinki Sharyo -> 43.5 billion baht
The official announcement of the winner will be held by SRT on December 18, 2004.
Even though ITD lost the Suvannabhum Airport Link, ITD still has 52 billion baht in projects in their portfolio.
Therefore, the brokers' advice on contractors stocks will be:
1) STECON -> SELL -> STECON stock has shot up by 35.8%
2) ITD -> BUY -> ITD stock has shot up by 17.7%
3) CK -> BUY only after CK stock has become weaker. CK stock has shot up by 9.3%
However, many SRT insiders said they feel very worried about STECON + Bilfinger--for both safety and the looming cost overruns during construction.

Collusion at Airport Link?: Suriya responds - translated and summarized by Wisarut Bholsithi from Thairath, November 23-24, 2004
[This is a follow-up to Collusion at Airport Link? by Lom Plianthit - Thairath, November 18, 2004]
After I wrote about the irregularities on Suvannabhumn Airport Link, Minister Suriya has sent a very thick letter to the editor's desk of Thairath to explain and clarifying some things about the project.
After reading it here are some further thoughts and clarifications:
1) The high-speed Airport Link track is a dedicated track separated from other railways so the gauge is not an issue even though the interchanges with other system are big must-have items--such as connections with SRT Eastern railway, BTS Skytrain, MRTA Subway, etc.
There are two types of Suvannabhum Airport Link services:
a) Suvannabhum Express - Makkasan - NBIA non stop -> 160 kph reaching the destination in 15 minutes
b) Suvannabhum Transit - 6 stops in addition to Makkasan and Suvannabhum -> Phyathai, Rajprarob, Ram Khamhaeng, Hua Mark, Ban Thub Chang and Lad Krabang
2) The bid for airport link must be competitive to get the best system.
In the past, constraints from meter gauge and the width of the rolling stock were the main obstacles to achieve high speed train status, thus the high speed system is limited to the standard gauge or broad gauges. Now, the new technologies developed by JR Group as well as German (Deuch Bahn), Australian railways and even China have come to correct the constraints. However, the price for such high speed technologies on meter gauge--both tracks and the cost for specialized rolling stock production--is another matter.
2) Minister Suriya has told a lie to the public that only Siemens, Bombadier, and ALSTOM are major producers of standard gauge rolling stocks. However, Bombadier and ALSTOM business are in financial troubles leaving Siemens as the major producers of such a rolling stocks. If SRT specify that only standard gauge is a must, then Siemens will win the bid.
3) For the 291 million baht architectural design--two system designs which potentially double the cost, Minister Suriya told the press that more than 90% of that 2 designs such as elevated tracks, traffic signals, traffic controllers, power supply, telecom systems, ticket systems, 7 stations + City Air Terminal at Makkasan can be shared for both systems - no matter the gauge of the system will be. Therefore, two system design does not mean double cost. It would be beneficial for the contractor because they can choose the optimal system
4) Minister Suriya told the press that the 1-month delay for bidding is due to the advice from the consultant to make separated proposals--the preliminary design for bidding and the final design for the actual construction. The winner must come up with the final design later.
5) The implementation cost -> meter gauge vs. standard gauge. Even though meter gauge appears to be cheaper due to narrower space. However, the width of the rolling stock are the same for both meter gauge and standard gauge--3.2 meters instead 2.5 meters for standard gauge. This will force those who produce meter gauge to come up with a much higher standard to enable the train to run at meter gauge at 160 kph. This might result in a higher cost per unit to produce meter gauge than for standard gauge.

All three contenders for the Airport Link are qualified for bidding - translated and summarized by Wisarut Bholsithi from Manager Daily, November 22, 2004
All three contenders for the airport link (B.Grimm+ Siemens+ STECON, CKC+ Mitsui+ Kinki Sharyo, ITD+ CITIC+ CAF) are qualified for the final bidding on which is going to be announced on December 8, 2004.
Comments on this Suvannabhum Airport Link issue

COUNTDOWN TO THE AIRPORT LINK: Three contenders - translated and summarized by Wisarut Bholsithi from Bangkok Biznews, November 19, 2004
There are three contenders for the Airport Link contract because of the merging of the seven groups together while Power Line PCL failed to submit the bidding form on time.
1. B.Grimm International Joint Venture consists of
1.1 Siemens Transportation AG -> Producers of BTS Skytrain and MRTA Subway along with Desiro and ICE-5 (specification for Bangkok Subway rolling stocks & specification of Bangkok Skytrain rolling stock)
1.2 Siemens (Thailand) Co.Ltd.
1.3 Sino-Thai Engineering and Construction PCL (STECON)
1.4 B. Grimm MBK (Hong Kong)
1.5 B. Grimm International Co.Ltd.
2. MCBM Consortium which consists of
2.1 Mitsubishi Heavy Industry Co.Ltd.
2.2 Ch. Karnchang PCL (CK)
2.3 Bilfinger Berger AG
2.4 Mitsui Co.Ltd.
2.5 Kinkii Sharyo Co. Ltd. (producer of Shinkansen Model 700 for JR West, and Tokyo Subway)
3. East - West Consortium which consists of
3.1 Italian Thai Development PCL (ITD)
3.2 China State (Beijing) Co.Ltd. (CITIC)
3.3 China State (Thailand)
3.4 Vossloh AG
3.5 CAF S.A. (producers of Washington DC Subway, and Subway in Madrid, Barcelona, Bilbao and high-speed train for Spain)
3.6 Inabensa from Spain
Commentary by Wisarut: Sources say ALSTOM and Bombadier decline to participate the bidding since they might find the collusion and corruption within the bidding process.
Both B.Grimm and Mitsui are trading firms which have been in businesses in Thailand since the King Chulalongkorn era. B. Grimm introduced German-Austrian products including Hanomag - Henchel Steam Loco as well as products from Siemens. Mitsui has brought Japanese locos, both steam and Diesel Electric, as well as Japanese Diesel Railcars into Thailand.
ITD may be in trouble since most SRT workers feel very distrustful of Chinese Railway products. Rolling stock of CAF may be fine, but they have never been brought into Thailand before so it is an uphill battle to compete with rolling stocks from Japan and Germany.
Correspondents from Thairath have already suspected collusion on the Suvannabhum Airport Link. However, I would to see if Manager Group and the Nation Group are going to dig deep and expose into such an issue because The Nation would do nothing if the winner is Ch. Karnchang due to their good connections with the Democrats. On the other hand, Manager Daily would do nothing if either Italian Thai Development or Siemens is the winner since Thaksin has bailed Khun Sonthi out of financial trouble.
The website of CAF -- famous for RENFE (Spanish National railway) Subway in Madrid, Barcelona, and of course Hong Kong Airport Express and Heathrow Airport Express.

Removing 25 unusable Hopewell pillars to make way for the Airport Link - translated and summarized by Wisarut Bholsithi from Prachachat Thurakij, November 18, 2004
SRT is asking for 300 million baht to remove 25 unusable Hopewell pillars without waiting for the resolution from the Attorney General (over the still lingering Hopewell case) so as to speed up the Suvanabhum Airport Link. SRT said that the case has expired and Hopewell has not arrived to drag SRT into court yet.
The reason for standard gauge TOR vs. meter gauge TOR is explained by SRT as necessary for a competitive bid. Standard gauge is the cutting edge for Siemens while the meter gauge is the cutting edge for Japanese, Chinese, and Korean rolling stock producers. This is despite the fact that Korea and China have produced standard gauge for their railway networks and Japanese just produce high speed train on standard gauge for exportation to Taiwan. SRT claims that the price of both system will be very close.
Ch. Karnchang said they would use Mitsui as the electrified railway system while Bilfinker is going to work with Ch. Karnchang on the construction and Mitsuibishi Heavy Industry will produce the rolling stocks and signals. These can also be subcontracted to Japanese producers like Hitachi or Kawasaki, Korean firms like ROTEM, or French firms like ALSTOM.
Ch. Karnchang claimed that they have experienced on the construction of subways and the factories to produce the structures for the system. However, the project is really massive and has lots of time and price constraints that cannot be met due to rising costs in construction materials and fuel. The actual cost will be definitely be more than 26 billion baht.
More on the Hopewell Project

Collusion at Airport Link? by Lom Plianthit - translated and summarized by Wisarut Bholsithi from Thairath, November 18, 2004
[A straight reporting of these issues is here: Siemens likely to win rail contract, The Nation, November 19, 2004]
It will be a fateful day to see who is going to be the winner for Suvannabhum Airport Link which contractor circles have predicted will be result of collusion. We have smelled the irregularity on the bidding process--standard gauge vs. meter gauge. Minister Suriya tried to convince the public that making such a bidding process is a fair deal. The contractor will have to choose only one form--either meter gauge or standard gauge, but not both.
Premier Thaksin seems to keep his mouth shut on this gauge issue. How can the one who advocate modernization have allowed such backwardness from standard gauge to meter gauge?
Minister Suriya seems to say, "Standard gauge will enable Siemens which is the only expert on standard gauge rolling stock while keeping other companies at a disadvantage. Bombadier and Alstom decline to participate in Suvannabhum Airport Link since both companies are not ready for such a project."
Such a word from Suriya seems to confirm what contractor circles have suspected for a long time--that there is collusion which only allows Siemens to be the winner. Siemens also got stuck with the scandal on TOT's 560,000 telephone numbers project with a price tag of 7.5 billion baht due to influence from Madame Daeng (sister of Premier Thaksin).
Furthermore, Suriya seems to tell a big lie to the public when he said "Alstom and Bombadier decline to participate in this project since they are not ready to compete with Siemens." ALSTOM have produced and exported TGV high speed trains for decades and Bombadier have worked with ALSTOM on TGV expert version projects so we can guess that both companies decline to participate on the bidding due to the corruption and collusion.
Furthermore, the cost of designing the system is very high--291 million baht for a 28-km high speed rail system--10.39 million baht/km. Oh my God, it is a very lucrative deal for the architects indeed!
We laugh all loud after getting the answer from Minister Suriya. Are we going to live with this kind of corruption and collusion for another four-year term?
Commentary by Wisarut: If the winner is Ch. Karnchang [the other strong condender--see the article below], I guess that the press will keep writing very negative words to the government--after all, negative words are the main staples of the press.

Ch. Karnchang - ITD fighting for Suvannabhum Airport Link - translated and summarized by Wisarut Bholsithi from Thairath, November 18, 2004
SRT Director said the bidders have to submit the bidding forms on November 18, 2004 for Suvannabhum Airport Link with a price tag of 26 billion baht. The preliminary results will be
announced on November 22 and the winners of technical results will be announced on December 8, 2004.
If the lowest bid is higher than the medium prices, SRT will have to negotiate with the winner so long that it does not exceed a 10% threshold. The cost for constructing the standard gauge and meter gauge is not that much different--only the gauge and the width of rolling stocks. The stations, the maintenance center, and signals will be the same for both meter gauge and standard gauge.
So far Ch Karnchang has discussed with Mitsui and JBIC about the plan and have the conclusion that they must come up with a financial offer since the medium price is too low due to the surging price of oil and steel. On the other hand, ITD said they have strong interest in this project since ITD has handled the double tracking of Eastern Railway as well as the construction of Suvannabhum Airport, so the company is ready to fight for Suvannabhum Airport Link.

Suriya insists that Suvannabhum Airport Link bidding is fair - translated and summarized by Wisarut Bholsithi from Thaipost, November 13, 2004
[The rumors are swirling that Siemens is once again already the designated winner. An earlier unexpected win for Siemens was the contract for the subway cars.]
Minister Suriya said the TOR which asks the bidder to come up with standard or meter gauge is a fair deal even though it causes lots of troubles for all the bidders since they have to make a choice of either standard gauge or meter gauge, not both. Otherwise, they will be disqualified for bidding. So far, the bidders only complain about the very low medium prices and they try to explain about the looming cost overruns due to hikes in construction materials are very serious.
Only Siemens knows how to produce standard gauge rolling stock while the other groups like Bombadier and Alstom decline to make a bid since they feel that they are not ready to handle the matter.
Minister Suriya claimed that this kind of bidding is quite a competitive deal despite the fact that the cost of designing standard gauge is twice that of meter gauge. If the price is higher than the medium price, the one that offers from the lowest bid will be the winner and unnecessary stations can be cut to keep the price within the limit. Then additional stations can be added as the demand increases.
SRT is asking for 300 million baht to move the infrastructure as well as the shanty towns along the Eastern Railway Line which obstructs the construction of Suvannabhum Airport Link. The cabinet will make a decision on the budget for removing them by the end of this month.

News of railway plans - November 11, 2004
Wisarut reports: Insiders told me that the Suvannabhum Airport Link will be a electrified meter gauge--using 1.5 KV DC power from the Japan since the vested interests around Premier Thaksin want to sell copper wire, steel structures, and electric power from IPP as much as possible (even though it is supposed to be 25 kV AC power).
The reason for meter gauge is that the line will have to be extended to Ban Phachee, Chacheongsao Nakhon Pathom, and Mahachai on SRT Railway Network. SRT can simply add the 4th rail for the tracks from Rangsit to Ban Phachee while they can add the 3rd and 4th track for the line from Lad Krabang to Chachoengsao.
I also expect the railway to the New City at Banna will be simply electrified meter gauge by double tracking of the cargo route (Kaeng Khoi - Klong Sip Kao). The double track of cargo route will enable SRT to offer the new express to Nong Khai - Viangchan via Eastern Railway as well as other service which could create frowns upon the face of Premier Thaksin's vested interests in Korat that runs the intercity bus service there.
The reduction of Eastern Railway stock by 10 sets has already ignited fury from those who use the Eastern Railway daily. This kind of action may be from vested interests that continue to focus on car buying.

Bidding delay request - translated and summarized by Wisarut Bholsithi from Manager Daily, October 21, 2004
The request for the delay for the Suvannabhum Airport Link bidding range from 30 days (for Mitsui, Ch. Karnchang, and B. Grimms) to 90 days for (ITD, Namprasoed, and AS Engineering).

Airport Link price skyrockets - Hopewell challenges SRT over structure demolition - translated and summarized by Wisarut Bholsithi from Than Setthakij, October 14-16, 2004
Contractors estimate that the cost for the construction of Suvannabhum Airport Link has shot up from 26 billion baht to be at least 29 billion baht. The worst case scenario is 32-35 billion baht. Most of the contractors said a 30 day delay in bidding is not sufficient. Some of those contractors are even asking for a delay of 70 days. They appeal that they have been stretched to the limit to come up with a TOR. Some of those better off like Ch Karnchan and ITD are going to appeal to bankers to grant emergency loans and the suppliers to produce the rolling stock according to the specification.
Even worse, Hopewell has sent the letter to SRT saying they have no right to demolish the leftover structure at Klongtan Station. Now SRT is asking for the Attorney General to come up with a solution for this case since the previous resolution has too many loopholes despite the fact that it has stated that SRT has full right to do anything on SRT land without the consent from the owner of the failed concession.

Earlier Airport Link News