Lawmakers Press Thai Railways on 20-Billion-Baht Annual Loss Strategy

On July 17, 2025, parliamentarian Wattanya Bunnark questioned the State Railway of Thailand during deliberation of the fiscal year 2570 budget bill in the House of Representatives. She highlighted that the SRT has reported annual operating losses of 20 billion baht despite government subsidies, though it achieved a 117-million-baht profit last year through compensatory revenue mechanisms. Without such compensation, accumulated losses would exceed 200 billion baht, prompting concerns about the SRT's contingency plans. Bunnark also raised issues flagged by the Office of the Auditor General regarding incomplete land and building registration, unverified asset management income, and expired leases still being utilized—all creating budget leakage. She questioned the SRT's approach to resolving these problems and expressed concern over disputed land at Khao Kradong in Buriram province, where the Land Department cannot withdraw rights due to missing maps from the SRT. Bunnark further pressed the SRT on the Airport Rail Link arrangement with private company Asia Era One, noting that the SRT has not received franchise fees while being obligated to cover over 10 billion baht in signal systems and train equipment after October 24, 2564. She questioned the current financial status and whether cancellation of the high-speed rail project could affect the Airport Rail Link, potentially leaving the SRT with unresolved debt and unpaid franchise fees. SRT Governor Anant Pho­thnimdaeng explained that the 20-billion-baht annual loss stems from inadequate compensation for social service operations and tariffs that do not reflect true costs, necessitating government subsidy. He confirmed the SRT is working to boost revenue through services, goods sales, and land utilization, including through its subsidiary SRT Asset Company.