Bangkok: "Prit" has reiterated three major concerns regarding the extension of the expressway concession and has urged the government to refrain from proceeding with the plan to extend concessions to private companies in conjunction with the "Double Deck" project. He advocated for waiting until the new government is in place to make such significant decisions.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Panusaya Wacharasindhu, a party-list MP and spokesman for the People's Party, addressed the longstanding issue of the expressway concession, which the Party has consistently highlighted. He emphasized that the current government, being an interim one, should not undertake actions that could have long-term repercussions. The extension of concessions for another 20 years, originally set to expire in 2035 but now proposed to extend to 2058, is a primary concern, particularly as it may include the right to construct a double-deck expressway.
The concerns outlined are threefold: Firstly, extending concessions to existing private operators could prevent the opportunity to develop expressway measures that better serve public needs. Opening a new concession could allow for competitive proposals that benefit the public, whereas being locked into an existing contract limits options such as reducing tolls or offering free nighttime use.
Secondly, the Double Deck project, valued at 34.8 billion baht, might not effectively address traffic congestion on expressways, as it does not connect to ground level and might perpetuate existing bottlenecks.
Thirdly, there are transparency issues with the concession adjustment process. The Expressway Authority of Thailand has yet to disclose project details to the Council and the public. If approved by the Cabinet before disclosure, public participation and objections would be bypassed.
Prit argues that the interim government should allow forthcoming political parties to present their positions on the issue during elections, enabling public decision-making at the polls. He reiterated the proposal for the government to confirm its decision not to extend the concession with the Double Deck project, leaving it to the next elected government. Rushing the decision before elections could lead to criticism, as the government should not fast-track a project that could wait for the next administration to decide, unless it is a strategic move for the upcoming elections.