In a recent announcement on April 4, Bangkok Mass Transit System Public Company Limited (BTSC), the esteemed operator of BTS SkyTrain, disclosed significant strides in bolstering its financial stability. The company reported a substantial influx of funds, amounting to approximately 23 billion baht, attributed to payments received for the completion of electrical and mechanical (E&M) work associated with the Green Line project’s Extension 2. This extension encompasses the expansive Bearing-Samut Prakan and Mo Chit-Saphan Mai-Khu Khot sections, crucial segments aimed at enhancing connectivity within Bangkok and its outskirts.
Despite this notable progress, BTSC continues to grapple with unresolved financial obligations stemming from operating and maintenance (O&M) expenses incurred during the implementation of Extension 1 and the subsequent extension of the Green Line. The outstanding debt, estimated at around 30 billion baht, remains a pressing concern for the company’s financial health. This pending liability awaits adjudication by the esteemed Supreme Administrative Court, following an appeal lodged by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA).
Previously, the Administrative Court ruled in favor of BTS, mandating that both the BMA and Krungthep Thanakom Company Limited (KT) bear joint responsibility for settling the outstanding debt accrued from the Green Line expansions. However, the matter remains subject to further legal scrutiny, underscoring the intricacies and complexities surrounding financial agreements and obligations within the realm of public transportation infrastructure development.
As BTS navigates through this challenging financial landscape, stakeholders closely monitor developments, mindful of the implications for ongoing and future projects aimed at enhancing Bangkok’s public transportation network. The resolution of these financial matters holds paramount importance in ensuring the seamless operation and continued expansion of the Green Line, thereby facilitating efficient mobility and contributing to the overall socio-economic advancement of the region.
