Airports of Thailand Plc (AoT) plans to organise a bid by the end of this year to find a concessionaire to develop one of two major plots of land adjacent to Suvarnabhumi airport for commercial purposes, in an investment project worth about 10 billion baht.
Several potential investors are interested in the two plots — 900-rai "Plot A" and 723-rai Plot B — which connect to a cycling track that runs around the airport, said Wichai Bunyu, AoT's senior executive vice-president for business development and marketing.
Due to interest in the project, the AoT is planning to conduct a forum to listen to business ideas from those interested in developing the land, he said.
The AoT will then select the most suitable idea and submit it to the AoT’s board for approval, before the terms of reference for the bid are drafted, he added.
Before the forum for Plot B can be held, the AoT expects to sign an MoU with other concerned parties regarding another 30-year extension of the agreement on the AoT’s use of the land, which is due to expire in 2032, Mr Wichai noted.
The other parties include the Treasury Department, which owns the land, the Royal Thai Air Force and the Department of Airports.
Only the concession to develop Plot B, worth 10 billion baht, will be provided via the bidding process this year, he said.
Plot A is waiting for the reassignment of colours according to a city zoning plan which is still underway.
Among the potential investors who have contacted the AoT to express interest in developing these plots are Central Pattana Plc, and industrial estate developer and operator Amata Corporation Plc, said a source.
