HOPEWELL Holdings has no intention of abandoning its proposed US$3.2 billion mass transit project in Bangkok.
Mr Stewart Elliott, Hopewell's executive director, was emphatic after reports in Bangkok claimed the company would seek additional investors from Hongkong.
''I sat in on all the press conferences and talks we had with Thailand's Transport Minister, Mr Vinai Sompong, on Friday and nothing of the sort was mentioned,'' he said yesterday.
''Our meeting went very well and, despite press speculation to the contrary, was very friendly,'' he said.
Mr Elliott said that both Hopewell and the Thai authorities wanted to see the project started as ''soon as possible''.
He said Hopewell expected to meet with Thai government officials and the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) on April 20. ''We hope to begin drilling three to six weeks later,'' he said.
It is understood that problems over land leasing costs, which are not part of the concession agreement, have been finalised and that the SRT-appointed consultants are making progress on the mammoth proposal outlined by Hopewell.