CP offers to run Airport Rail Link for another 4 months in exchange for dropping high-speed cancellation lawsuit, seeks 240 million baht management fee
RegulationCorporate Action
The State Railway of Thailand, or SRT, disclosed that Asia Era One Company Limited, part of the CP group, has accepted a proposal to continue operating the Airport Rail Link electric train service for another 4 months, from 1 October 2026 to 31 January 2027, after its operating memorandum of understanding with SRT expires on 30 September 2026. CP sent its reply on the night of 8 September, with the condition that the Airport Rail Link operation must not be tied to its bid to exercise the right to cancel the joint investment contract for the high-speed rail project linking three airports on the Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi and U-Tapao route, and that if litigation arises between the parties, the private company reserves the right to halt operations immediately. SRT said it cannot yet say what issues might lead to litigation, but that if a dispute does arise, negotiation can still be used first. The private company also proposed a management fee of 60 million baht per month, totalling 240 million baht, which SRT views as a cost that remains the duty and responsibility of the private contracting party operating the service, and that the details of the main contract must be clarified first. SRT will present all the details and conditions notified in writing by the private company to the SRT board meeting on 10 September 2026 to consider ways to maintain the continuity of the Airport Rail Link service.
