Thailand's Deputy Prime minister Somkid Jatusripitak has instructed the Office of State Enterprise Policy Committee to incorporate into the PPP programme two high-speed train projects: the Bangkok-Hua Hin and Bangkok-Rayong projects.

The only issue still under discussion about the development of the two high-speed train projects is the role that private sector should play. There is still no agreement about whether to give private sector complete responsibility for the entire projects or just an operation and maintenance agreement (O&M).

These two projects are added to the initial five project plan to stimulate the country's economy and improve its transport system. 

In late March we published that the tender processes for two metro projects were scheduled to be launched by June. The rail lines were expected to be operational by 2019 after a 3 year construction period.

Bangkok's 30 km MRT Yellow Line will link Lat Phrao with Samrong with 23 stations. It is expected to handle a ​daily ridership of 247,900 persons. The total project investment is estimated at Bt51.8 billion (US$1.46 billion).

The 29.1 km Pink Line will link Khae Rai to Min Buri with 30 stations. It is expected to handle a ​daily ridership of 270,000 persons. The total project investment is estimated at Bt53.5 billion (US$1.51 billion).

The three other projects are the following:

• Operation of Blue Line extension project.
• Bangpa-in - Nakhon Rachasrima motorway PPP project. 
• Bangyai - Kanchanaburi motorway PPP project. 

According to sources Dr Somkid said:

"The inclusion of two high-speed train projects in the PPP programme is intended to speed up implementation of the infrastructure projects now that five similar projects have already taken off including the mass transit system, the motorway and the special highways."

These projects are part of Thailand's infrastructure development plan from 2015 to 2020. Under this plan, Bt1.57 trillion (US$43.6 billion) is expected to be invested, most of it through partnerships with the private sector. The plan includes a total of 66 projects in 20 categories, 80% of them being transport projects.