Airport Link Train to Run Four Months, Not One Year
A private operator will run Bangkok's Airport Rail Link for four months through January 31, 2025, before the State Railway's subsidiary resumes operations, with the operator bearing all revenue risk rather than receiving fixed monthly fees.
Deputy Prime Minister Pipat Ratchakitprakarn clarified on September 14 at Government House that discussions with Prime Minister Anuthin Charnvirakul on September 11 confirmed the private operator will run the Airport Rail Link for four months until January 31, 2025, not extend it for one year. Operating costs will not be fixed at 60 million baht per month; instead, the private operator receives only whatever fare revenue is collected and bears any shortfall risk directly.
After the four-month period ends, the State Railway of Thailand will transfer operations to its subsidiary, Thai Electric Railway Company (THEr), which previously operated the service. Before handover, the State Railway will inspect the condition of trains and tracks. Ratchakitprakarn confirmed there will be no extension beyond four months and the subsidiary will take over immediately afterward.
Regarding the three-airport high-speed rail project, Ratchakitprakarn said it must return to the Eastern Economic Corridor board, chaired by the Prime Minister, after discussions at the Office of the Attorney-General raised objections. The matter must first go to the Cabinet before proceeding, so the EEC board must consult further, and the Prime Minister is expected to consult with the Office of the Council of State beforehand.
