Bangkok: The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) board has decided to extend the construction period for the Thai-Chinese high-speed rail project by another 350 days following delays in the handover of the site to the contractor, which was obstructed by a leased building.
According to Thai News Agency, the extension was approved after Mr. Veerit Amrapal, Governor of the State Railway of Thailand, revealed details from the SRT Board meeting. The board approved the extension of the contract period and the amendment of the construction contract for the cooperation project between the Government of the Kingdom of Thailand and the Government of the People’s Republic of China. This project aims to develop a high-speed rail system connecting Bangkok and Nong Khai, specifically focusing on the Bangkok to Nakhon Ratchasima section under Contract 3-5, Civil Works for the Khok Kruat to Nakhon Ratchasima section.
The contract, initially set to expire on March 25, 2025, will now extend until March 10, 2026. The construction
coordination plan must be adjusted to align with the contract terms and conditions, and the contractor is not entitled to claim any expenses, compensation, or benefits. Additionally, there will be no expenses for the Construction Supervisor Consultant (CSC) and Project Management Consultant (PMC), ensuring that the SRT will not incur any losses or impact other projects.
Mr. Veerit explained that the extension request stemmed from the delayed handover of the construction area due to 60 rental buildings obstructing the site. A lawsuit was filed against the tenants of these buildings, leading to a compromise that allowed for their demolition and the eventual handover of the area. The contractor is expected to gain access to the site on May 13, 2024. After reviewing the explanations and reasons provided, the SRT board approved the extension request.
