The Transport Ministry confirmed that infrastructure projects to be incorporated into the 100 billion baht Thailand Future Fund will be decided on by next month.
Permanent secretary Chatchai Thipsunawee said he has instructed all of the ministry's agencies to provide a list of road and rail projects they want included in the scheme by next month so they can be discussed at the next ministry meeting.
Mr Chatchai spoke yesterday following a ministry meeting to discuss the funding scheme which aims to raise 100 billion baht through local and foreign investment to help finance major transport infrastructure projects.
These will include both existing and new projects, he said.
The Thailand Future Fund was approved by the cabinet on Dec 15.
It would help support state-run infrastructure programmes that will enhance the country's competitiveness in the long run, Mr Chatchai said.
It will also be a new financial resource, which will help reduce dependency on the state budget, he said.
The fund will be listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand and operate under Securities and Exchange Commission regulations. Investors will be guaranteed a decent rate of return, according to the government which has yet to specify what that rate would be.
Chaiwat Thongkamkoon, deputy director-general of the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTTPP), said two types of infrastructure project are expected to be incorporated into the fund.
The first are those which already generate revenue, including two motorways — the Bangkok-Chon Buri highway and the Kanchanapisek Outer Ring Road.
Deputy director-general of the Department of Highways (DOH), Anon Luangboriboon, said both projects generate five billion baht in revenue each year and incur three billion baht in yearly expenses.
These two projects are highly likely to be included in the fund, he said though the legal implications must be assessed.
The second are those to be undertaken in the future, such as the three motorways linking Ayutthaya's Bang Pa-in district with Nakhon Ratchasima, Nonthaburi's Bang Yai district with Kanchanaburi, and Pattaya with Map Ta Phut in Rayong.
The DOH is speeding up the bidding process for these highways, Mr Chaiwat said.