Nirut Maneephan formally signed on as the new governor of the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) yesterday with many tasks ahead of him, including the continuation of mega projects worth several hundred billion baht.
Speaking after the signing, Department of Land Transport director-general Chirute Visalachitra, who is also the chairman of the SRT board, said that the 29th SRT governor is a legal affairs expert and has experience working with several state enterprises, which will be beneficial to helping steer the SRT forward.
Mr Nirut's nomination as the governor of the 130-year-old state enterprise was endorsed by the cabinet on April 7.
Prior to joining the SRT, Mr Nirut worked as a litigation executive at the state-run Krungthai Bank. He also served on the board of several state enterprises and served as executive vice-president in charge of human resources and corporate affairs at Thai Airways International (THAI).
Mr Nirut said yesterday that one of his priorities will be to tackle the agency's massive debt, which exceeds 100-billion-baht, before adding that he is not unfazed by the tasks ahead. He said he will need time to study the SRT's rehabilitation plan, adding that he will begin his work on April 24.
Mr Chirute said the government and the Transport Ministry have attached importance to the development of the rail system as a major transport mode in order to cut logistics costs to 12% of GDP, down from 13% currently.
Mr Chirute added that the SRT board has also directed the new governor to press ahead with the implementation of rail infrastructure projects currently under construction.
They include the first phase of construction of seven double-track rail routes, the new Red Line electric railway from Bang Sue to Rangsit and Bang Sue to Taling Chan, the Thai-Chinese high-speed train route from Bangkok to Nakhon Ratchasima, the high-speed train linking Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi and U-Tapao airports, among other projects.
The SRT board also wants Mr Nirut to continue the development of technologies and use of artificial intelligence to improve the SRT's service, such as implementing GIS maps and an electronic ticketing system, Mr Chirute said.
Since the SRT is in a transitional period, the SRT board is also hoping that Mr Nirut will make use of his experience to develop its personnel and look after their welfare, Mr Chirute said, adding that Mr Nirut has also been assigned to resolve the legal dispute with Hopewell (Thailand).
The Transport Ministry and the SRT are fighting a court order to pay compensation to Hopewell for terminating its contract to build a 60-kilometre elevated highway and rail system in 1998.
Mr Nirut will also be responsible for managing the SRT's assets including land holdings. Mr Chirute said the SRT will present a proposal to set up a subsidiary company to handle its assets.
"Mr Nirut will have to lead the SRT in line with its rehabilitation plan so the agency can generate more revenue and make the most of rail systems by allowing the private sector to [partially] operate them or lease the tracks," the SRT board chairman said.