The Ministry of Transport may seek Administrative Court approval to delay its compensation payment of 37 billion baht to Hopewell (Thailand), according to Worawut Mala, acting governor of the State Railway of Thailand (SRT).
"The laws can open ways for such an approach," said Mr Worawut, who works on a special committee negotiating compensation in the case.
On April 22, the Supreme Administrative Court ordered the ministry and SRT to pay compensation for losses incurred to the company after Thai authorities terminated the contract two decades ago.
The court ordered payments be made within 180 days. The payment covers 11.88 billion baht, plus an interest rate of 7.5% a year, or around 37 billion baht in total.
Early this month, Somsak Chitipalungsri, chairman of Thammasat University's Law Association, suggested the government seek a new trial in the case, citing a law governing the establishment of the Administrative Court.
Responding to that, Mr Worawut said this is up to the ministry and the SRT board to decide. Those who would be held accountable for the incurred damage would also be determined.
The project comprised Hopewell's 60-kilometre elevated railway as well as a tollway in Bangkok. Foundation pillars of the project will be removed by the SRT while Hopewell will take back remaining utility structures, Mr Worawut said.
Known as the country's first urban train project, the "Hopewell Project" was signed on Nov 9, 1990, when the late Montri Pongpanit was transport minister in Chatichai Choonhavan's government.
When the 30-year concession was granted in 1990, investments in the project totalled about 80 billion baht. Construction began in 1990 but was suspended in 1992. The project ground to a halt amid much legal wrangling in 1997, when it was just over 10% complete during the deadline period.
The contract was officially terminated on Jan 27, 1998, by the Chuan Leekpai-led Democrat government, when Suthep Thaugsuban was the transport minister.