Bangkok, BTS accepted the Supreme Administrative Court’s ruling on the debt for the operation and maintenance (OandM) of the Green Line Extension Project, Section 1 and Section 2, after taking more than 3 years to prove the facts and stand on the truth, with the BMA having to pay the debt of 11,755 million baht to BTS.
Bangkok Mass Transit System Public Company Limited (BTSC), by Mr. Keeree Kanjanapas, Chairman of the Board, revealed that in the case where the Supreme Administrative Court ruled that Bangkok (BMA) and Krungthep Thanakom Company Limited (KT) must jointly pay off the debt for the operation and maintenance (OandM) of the Green Line Electric Train Project, Extension 1, Saphan Taksin – Wongwian Yai – Bang Wa and On Nut – Bearing (May 2019 – May 2021) and Extension 2, Bearing – Samut Prakan and Mo Chit – Saphan Mai – Khu Khot (April 2017 – May 2021) totaling more than 11,755 million baht.
Mr. Kiri said that it was very pleasing that BTS had proven the facts until receiving justice from the Suprem
e Administrative Court, which took more than 3 years to prove the facts that we worked on the basis of correctness. Throughout the past, we have tried to clarify the facts in these matters to government agencies and the public. And today, it has been shown that BTS’s efforts have not been in vain. It also confirms his words that “BTS works on the basis of correctness and has consulted the legal team thoroughly. If the contract is not ready or incorrect, I would definitely not sign it. This is because BTS is a public company. Therefore, I must be responsible to all shareholders, including the group of passengers, who I have always confirmed that I will definitely not stop running the train.” Importantly, the verdict on the debt for the operating and maintenance fee of the Supreme Administrative Court in this case will be a guideline for considering the remaining debt in the future. Initially, BTS was informed by the media that the BMA is ready to pay the debt according to the verdict of the Supreme Administrat
ive Court in this case, totaling more than 11,755 million baht. However, BTS would like the BMA and KT to take into account the remaining debt because of the increasing interest every day.
As of July 25, 2024, the debt for vehicle operation and maintenance services is more than 39,402 million baht, divided into:
The debt according to the Supreme Administrative Court’s judgment on July 26, 2024, which ordered Bangkok and KT to jointly pay BTS an amount of more than 11,755 million baht.
The debt that BTS filed a lawsuit with the Central Administrative Court on November 22, 2022 for BMA and KT to pay the debt for the operation and maintenance fee to BTS for the Green Line electric train project in the first and second extension routes (the debt for the fee from June 2021 to October 2022) is more than 11,811 million baht, which is under consideration by the Central Administrative Court.
The outstanding debt for the operating and maintenance work of the Green Line electric train project on the first and second
extension routes from November 2022 to June 2024 is more than 13,513 million baht.
The cost of operating and maintenance work of the Green Line electric train project in the first extension and the second extension in the future from now until the end of the concession in 2042.
However, BTS is willing and ready to negotiate with Bangkok and KT to find a joint solution to ensure continuous public services and eliminate these problems. If both agencies have other approaches that they would like to consider, BTS is willing and ready to negotiate if those proposals are fair to all parties.
‘I feel happy and it is a victory for myself for fighting honestly without giving up. I believe that the debtor understands because there is nothing wrong with the contract and the procurement. Therefore, what we have done or what I have said, we have done things straightforwardly and done the right thing all the time. I hope that the BMA and KT will understand the intention of a private company like us who has never stopped
providing train services and should have the legal department urgently consider the debt repayment method to BTS as soon as possible,’ said Mr. Kiree.-
Source: Thai News Agency