Three priority infrastructure projects in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) must get started this year for the sake of accelerating investment in the new industrial zone, says Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak.
Mr Somkid, who yesterday visited the Transport Ministry to monitor progress on infrastructure development, said that because this government has only about a year left in office, authorities should rev up planned projects.
"The priority projects should at least call for bidding on construction this year," he said, adding that the much-awaited EEC bill is to be enacted by year-end or in the first quarter of next year.
The priority projects are the third phase of Laem Chabang port, the aircraft repair and maintenance project and the Bangkok-Rayong high-speed rail network.
The government expects terms of reference (ToR) to be issued by the first quarter of next year to enable public-private investment. Environmental impact assessments have been approved.
The Laem Chabang port expansion is estimated to need an 88-billion-baht investment. The project aims to double capacity to accommodate cargo containers of 18 million 20-foot equivalent units.
Mr Somkid said Thai Airways International Plc and Airbus are scheduled to sign a joint venture agreement in the next few weeks on the aircraft repair and maintenance project, which is the first phase of U-tapao airport's expansion.
Total investment in the U-tapao project is forecast to top 200 billion baht, with other projects in the first phase including a 675-rai commercial area, a new passenger terminal, a new runway, a 200-rai training centre and a free-trade zone spanning 1.52 million square metres.
The ToR of those projects in the first phase will likely be issued by the first quarter of 2018.
The U-tapao expansion is part of a plan to promote Thailand as a regional aviation hub. After raising capacity to 15 million passengers in the first phase over five years, the second phase calls for servicing 30 million passengers within a decade. The final stage would handle 60 million passengers after 15 years.
According to Mr Somkid, the ToR for the 158-billion-baht Bangkok-Rayong high-speed rail should be issued later this year.
The rail is designed to link U-tapao, Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports.
Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith said the study of the Bangkok-Rayong high-speed rail will be proposed to a meeting of the EEC Policy Committee chaired by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Nov 17.
