The operator of the BTS skytrain has expressed interest in investing in the government's dual-track and high-speed train projects.
The Transport Ministry, however, said on Tuesday the company might only be allowed to take part in operating the train services.
Speaking after a meeting with the executives of Bangkok Mass Transit System Plc, or BTS, on Tuesday, Transport Minister Prajin Juntong said no private firms are allowed to jointly invest in the ministry's scheme to build dual-track rail routes because the government plans to solely manage this project.
The routes are Chachoengsao-Laem Chabang, Rangsit's Khlong 19-Kaeng Khoi, Map Kabao-Chira junction in Nakhon Ratchasina and Chira junction-Khon Kaen, he said.
ACM Prajin said he was also told by the BTS that it had sound experience in operating train services and was willing to give a portion of income earned from the train services on the dual-track routes to the state if it is granted the concession to operate these routes. He said he then asked BTS to come back again with details of its proposal in mid-May.
BTS chief operating officer Surapong Laoha-unya said the company was interested in both the high-speed train and dual-track train projects, but was still studying which routes would interest it most.
Transport permanent secretary Soithip Traisuth said the government plans to invest in several dual-track train routes and if the BTS is really interested in becoming part of the project, it may be allowed to participate only in operating the train service, a concession that will not be reserved only for the BTS.
In particular, the BTS and any interested private firms may be allowed to help study the possibility of switching from using diesel locomotives to electric ones on the Laem Chabang-Khon Kaen route that will mainly serve cargo train transport in the government's eight-year infrastructure development scheme, she said.
She insisted that possible participation by the BTS or any other companies in the rail project would not result in any delay in the project's implementation.
Meanwhile, State Railway of Thailand (SRT) governor Wuthichart Kalayanamitr said eight more new diesel-electric locomotives bought by the SRT have now arrived.
Five out of the locomotives will be used for cargo transport between Laem Chabang Port in Chon Buri's Si Racha district and the Inland Container Depot in Lat Krabang district of Bangkok and they should help cut costs, Mr Wuthichart said.
The other three will be included into a new fleet of 13 diesel-electric locomotives to serve on the northern and northeastern routes transporting goods and serving energy suppliers, he said.