The project will connect Don Mueang International Airport, Suvarnabhumi Airport and U-Tapao International Airport, forming a key transport corridor aimed at strengthening connectivity across Thailand’s eastern economic zone.
The line is being developed by Asia Era One, a consortium led by Charoen Pokphand Group, under a concession agreement originally signed in October 2019 with proposed state co-investment valued at THB117.226 billion.
Under the proposed amendments, the government’s Public Investment Cost payment will shift from a lump-sum disbursement of THB149.65 billion upon commencement of operations to instalment-based payments tied to construction progress, capped at THB120 billion.
Additionally, the concession fee for the Airport Rail Link investment rights—amounting to THB10.67109 billion—will be paid in seven equal annual instalments starting from the signing date of the amended contract.
According to SRT, the Notice to Proceed is expected to be issued within 30 days after the contract amendment is signed. The project will then move into a five-year construction phase followed by six months of system testing, with operations targeted to begin in 2032.
The amendments are also intended to align civil works on the Bang Sue–Don Mueang section with the Thai–Chinese High-Speed Rail project, where certain infrastructure components will be shared.
Should the revised contract not be finalised within the planned timeline, SRT indicated it may seek Cabinet approval to revise the scope of work and carry out the shared civil works under Contract 4-1 independently to prevent further project delays.
