PM Anutin plans talks on CP affiliate’s rail contract exit request

PM Anutin plans talks on CP affiliate’s rail contract exit request

FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2026

|The Nation Editorial Team

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C.P. Group affiliate, Asia Era One, has submitted a request to terminate its contract for the High-Speed Rail Linking Three Airports project.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul plans to meet with the secretary-general of the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) Policy Committee to discuss the company's request.

Anutin stressed that cancelling a state contract is difficult and warned that the company could face consequences, such as being blacklisted and held liable for increased project costs.

The company's termination request includes ceasing its operation of the Airport Rail Link by September 30, 2026.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said he had not yet received details of the State Railway of Thailand’s (SRT) plans to hold talks with Asia Era One Company Limited, a C.P. Group company, to resolve problems surrounding the High-Speed Rail Linking Three Airports project (Don Mueang–Suvarnabhumi–U-Tapao).

Asia Era One had sent a letter seeking to exercise its right to terminate the contract and cease operating the Airport Rail Link on Wednesday (September 30, 2026).

Anutin said he would invite Chula Sukmanop, secretary-general of the Eastern Economic Corridor Policy Committee, to meet him for discussions next week because several matters still needed to be pursued.

He also referred to matters involving rules issued through the EEC Policy Committee and proposals for legislation.

Anutin indicated that the proposed end of Airport Rail Link operations on Wednesday (September 30, 2026) would also need to be discussed, stressing that contracts with the state were not easy to cancel.

On the possibility of cancellation where sufficient grounds existed, Anutin noted that he had only ever seen the state terminate contracts and had never seen a private company seek termination.

Such a move carried many consequences, including being blacklisted, being declared a defaulting contractor or being held liable.

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He was particularly concerned that a project contracted at one price could cost more if it was retendered following cancellation.

Prime Minister’s Office regulations stipulated that the party responsible for terminating the original contract would have to cover the difference, he added, noting that cancellation was not straightforward and remained subject to many other conditions.

“I think this is still not something that can be done easily. I will first invite the EEC secretary-general to meet me. But I believe the State Railway of Thailand is also a party to the contract. It is an agency under the Ministry of Transport and must comply with the Prime Minister’s Office regulations on procurement,” Anutin said.