Thailand’s richest man to jointly build US$6.8 billion high-speed rail that will link three airports

The high-speed train project is slated to be completed in five years

The project’s goal is to make the east of Thailand a centre for hi-tech industries, such as robotics and electric vehicles, as well as a regional hub for aircraft maintenance

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Dhanin Chearavanont, senior chairman of CP Group, is Thailand’s richest man. Photo: SCMP

Published: 7:27pm, 13 May 2019Updated: 11:01pm, 30 May 2019

Thai conglomerate Charoen Pokphand Group (CP Group) and 12 other companies were selected to build a US$6.8 billion high-speed train project that will link three major airports in the country, the government said on Monday.

The committee, chaired by Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, chose a joint investor for the public-private partnership that required the lowest amount of investment from the government, the Eastern Economic Corridor Policy (EEC) office said in a statement.

The government’s decision came in following months of negotiations after CP Group and 12 other companies jointly submitted a bid for the US$6.8 billion project last year.

The rail link will connect Thailand’s main international airport Suvarnabhumi to low-cost carrier airport Don Muang and U-Tapao airport in eastern Thailand.

The proposal will be sent for cabinet approval on May 28, EEC Secretary-General Kanit Sangsubhan told reporters.

The high-speed train project is slated to be completed in five years, and will be operational for 45 years under the partnership, according to the EEC portal.

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