BANGKOK, Thailand – The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has announced that it has already paid over 37 billion baht in debts related to the Green Line electric train system and is preparing to resolve the remaining payments.
BMA spokesperson Ekwaranyu Amrapal clarified the debt situation as follows:
- System Installation Debt (E&M Work)
– For the Green Line extension phase 2, BMA has paid 23 billion baht to Krungthep Thanakom (KT) using the 2024 additional budget. Ownership of the system infrastructure (electric and mechanical) has already been transferred to the BMA.
- Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Debt for extensions 1 and 2 consists of three parts:
2.1 First lawsuit by BTS
– Covers operations from May 2019 to May 2021 (Extension 1) and April 2017 to May 2021 (Extension 2), totaling 14.476 billion baht. This amount was paid to the Legal Execution Department on December 26, 2024, following a Supreme Administrative Court ruling on July 26, 2024.
2.2 Second lawsuit by BTS
– Covers operations from June 2021 to October 2022, totaling 12.245 billion baht. This is currently under review by the Administrative Court.
2.3 Post-second lawsuit debt
– Estimated at 25 billion baht, this amount is pending payment. The delay stems from a pending ruling by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) and consultations with the Attorney General’s Office regarding possible misconduct. As a result, payment cannot proceed until clarity is reached.
BMA reiterated its commitment to settling all remaining obligations but emphasized that legal procedures must be carefully observed. (TNA)
