The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has ordered Airport Rail Link to amend the terms of reference for the 4.8-billion-baht purchase of seven trains to attract more reputable bidders.
SRT board chairman Omsin Chiwaphruek said qualified bidders had to have a record of making at least 500 cars over the past 10 years instead of 100 as in the existing terms.
Besides, the requirement that the new cars must be connectable with the existing ones will also be scrapped, he said.
Under the existing terms, Siemens from Germany and two manufacturers from China and South Korea expressed the interest to join the bid. Siemens is the supplier of the trains currently in use.
Pakorn Tangiatsakow, acting CEO of SRT Electrified Train Co, the operator of Airport Rail Link, said the procurement of the seven trains would be carried on under the normal procedure of an e-auction.
The bid is expected to be completed within four to five months and the agreement signed by February, 2015.
Under the timetable, the trains will likely be received within the next two years.
Airport Rail Link has faced a shortage of trains after four of its nine trains are currently out of service for major maintenance work, causing frequent delays and congestion during rush hours.