The board of Krungthep Thanakom Co (KT) is preparing to talk with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) about appealing a court ruling that ordered both parties to pay almost 12 billion baht in overdue debts incurred through the operation and maintenance of Green Line extensions.
The Central Administrative Court on Wednesday ruled in favour of BTSC, the operator of the Green Line, also known as the BTS Skytrain, which demanded the payment of overdue debts totalling 11.75 billion baht including interest.
The first part of the debt, plus interest, that KT has been ordered to pay the BTSC concerns the service operation and maintenance costs for the On Nut-Bearing and Saphan Taksin-Bang Wa extensions from May 2019 until May 2021, which adds up to 2.34 billion baht.
The second part of the debt concerns the cost of operating and maintaining the Bearing-Samut Prakan and Mo Chit-Saphan Mai-Khu Khot extensions from April 2017 till May 2021, totalling 9.40 billion baht in total.
The payment must be made within 180 days of the case being finalised.
KT Chairman Tongthong Chandransu said yesterday after hearing the court's decision that the board has decided to appeal the verdict and will request a retrial regarding the way the debt was calculated, while also asking for related studies to be included in the case.
However, KT must first discuss this with the BMA, Mr Tongthong said, adding that KT and the BMA will jointly pay some of the debt and request further clarification on some of the details that remain vague.
"But we need to talk with the BMA to set the right direction before appealing the court's decision within 30 days," he said. "We need time to study before the next legal battle."
KT and the BMA will negotiate with the BTSC to find solutions including a potential revision of the train operation contract and the rising interest rate on the debts, he said.