CP reaffirms to terminate 3-airport high-speed rail contract and operation of the Airport Rail Link

On August 26, 2026, the CP Group reasserted its intention to terminate the contract for Thailand's high-speed rail project connecting three airports. The Deputy Transport Minister, Siripong Angkasakulkiat, urged all parties to resolve key issues before September 30. The CP-led consortium has submitted another letter reaffirming its right to terminate the contract, but the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has asked it to withdraw the letter.

Under the current law and public-private partnership contract, a unilateral termination by the private sector has not yet taken legal effect. Siripong explained that the termination can only occur under four conditions: mutual consent, implication, court order, or government initiation. None of these conditions are currently applicable.

The SRT must address two urgent issues: the operation of the Airport Rail Link and overlapping work with the Thai-Chinese high-speed rail project. The private sector has indicated it may stop operating the service, so the SRT must negotiate with the CP consortium to continue running the line. If the private operator refuses, the SRT will need to find another operator to avoid disrupting passengers and services.

The SRT is also negotiating with the private sector to reduce the scope of work, specifically removing the Bang Sue Grand Station to Don Mueang section, to ease the financial burden and allow the project to move forward. The government will explore all avenues to benefit the public, but if an agreement cannot be reached, the matter may enter legal proceedings.

The private sector insists on amending the contract, but the government finds this challenging and seeks an urgent solution to the dispute.