Thai Prime Minister Reaffirms Original Contract for High-Speed Rail Project
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has stated that the high-speed rail project connecting three airports must adhere to its original contract, leaving resolution of disputes to the State Railway of Thailand and the private contractor.
On October 26, 2026, Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul addressed the status of the high-speed rail project linking three major airports. Speaking after a meeting of the Eastern Economic Corridor Policy Committee, the Prime Minister emphasized that the project must strictly follow the terms of the original contract. He dismissed the notion that the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) status grants special privileges to alter timelines or budgets outside of established procurement laws.
Currently, the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) and the private partner involved in the project are engaged in legal disputes. The Prime Minister stated that both parties are still obligated to fulfill their contractual duties. If the parties cannot reach a mutual resolution, the matter will proceed through formal legal channels.
For residents and travelers, this development signals that the project remains in a state of contractual negotiation rather than immediate modification. While the government is prioritizing legal compliance over project adjustments, the ongoing dispute between the SRT and the private contractor means that the project's timeline and final delivery remain subject to the outcome of these legal proceedings. No specific changes to the project's scope or completion date have been confirmed at this time.
