CP, BTS groups set to bid for airport link high-speed railway

[webfact]

CP, BTS groups set to bid for airport link high-speed railway

By THE NATION

 

High-speed rail project Source: Eastern Economic Corridor Office of Thailand

 

TWO RIVAL CORPORATE groups – Charoen Pokphand (CP) and BTS Holdings Plc – are expected to submit their bids today for construction of a high-speed rail linking the three main international airports – Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang and U-tapao – worth a total of Bt220 billion. 
 

Acting governor of the State Railway of Thailand, Voravuth Mala, said that he expected at least two groups would submit their bids for the high-speed railway project today after 31 had bought the terms of reference (TOR) document earlier.

 

“We hope two groups would submit their bids and if they do so it would take about one month for deliberations before we can pick the winning bid,” he said.

 

He said that SRT was open to embracing high-speed rail technology, and did not favour any particular technology from any country. Investors will have to demonstrate the advantages of the technology they choose, he said.

 

Bidders could also find more new investors to join the project later, but they must be among those who had bought the TOR document. So if PTT Group wants to invest with the winner, it can do, he said. 

 

An informed source at SRT said that investors could choose any train technology that meets international standards such as Chinese Train Control System (CTCS), European Train Control System (ETCS) or Automatic Train Control (ATC) from Japan. The financial cost is likely to be the most important factor, which will decide who will win the bidding, according to the source. 

 

Adhiruth Thothaveesansuk, CP’s head for high-speed train coordination, said that the CP-led consortium was ready to submit its bid today.

 

The consortium comprises Charoen Pokphand Holding, a subsidiary of CP, China Railway Construction Corporation Limited, Bangkok Expressway and Metro Plc, Italian-Thai Development, Japan Overseas Infrastructure Investment Corporation for Transport and Urban Development, CITIC Group Corporation, China Resources (Holdings) Company Limited, Siemens, Hyundai, Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane, CRRC-Sifang and Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC). 

 

A source said that the CP-led consortium has a high chance of winning the bidding due to its strong financial base and the qualifications of CP’s partners.

 

Meanwhile, another group led by BTS Group Holdings also announced it would join the bidding. Surapong Laoha-Unya, chief executive officer of BTS, said that the group would be submitting its bid today. BTS has formed a group called BSR, partnering Sino-Thai Engineering and Construction Plc and Ratchaburi Electricity Generating Holding Plc. 

 

Keeree Kanjanapas, chairman of the BTS, said earlier that the group was ready to compete as BTS has the experience of operating the Skytrain in Bangkok, Sino-Thai has experience in construction and there were about five commercial banks that were ready to support the group with lending up to Bt120 billion. 

 

Patchara Samalapa, president of Kasikornbank, said KBank would join with other banks in lending for this high-speed rail project. And as it is a huge project, KBank will be part of syndicated loans. 

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/Economy/30358341

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-11-12

[ChrisY1]

The elitist fake sausage maker, now a train line constructor.....and why not? this Thailand where anything is possible....with money!

[JAG]

If CP win, does that mean that there will be an annoying "nee - naw" noise every time the doors open, and will each carriage be staffed by three girls, two of whom will spend the entire journey counting the contents of a cash register?

????

[robblok]

I wonder what other members their idea's are on all these private concessions. Some things should be done by governments as they can do it cheaper. On the other hand governments are not always that efficient. 

[Srikcir]

26 minutes ago, robblok said:

I wonder what other members their idea's are on all these private concessions. Some things should be done by governments as they can do it cheaper. On the other hand governments are not always that efficient. 

With the energy group PTT you get both. 

It's State-owned and privately-owned.

6 hours ago, webfact said:

if PTT Group wants to invest with the winner, it can do

Which brings into question possible perceived corruption with the State in the award process.

[holy cow cm]

CP needs to be stopped. Way too big and controlling. How in the H*** are they allowed to be even in the running? My son was talking that they are in Ramjamgala University as for a couple years now. They entise you and pay for you and then own you in between and after graduation. Despicable company.  .

[Ulic]

Personally, I don't get it. Why not have a simple reliable easy to operate and maintain, two-track system that is much cheaper and would probably only take travelers maybe 20-30 minutes longer. No need for a Mercedes, a Toyota is much more sensible. 

[CLW]

Even I don't like the idea of CP investing in this field of business their consortium seems to have definitely the better companies.

[DrTuner]

How many percent of Thailand does CP own already? Not a fan of their products, substandard.

[ParadiseLost]

The only thing that surprises me in this story is - CP doesn't own BTS and PTT already!

 

Suppose it is the only way to make business look legit in Thailand.