BMA Ordered to Pay 11 Billion Baht to BTS for Skytrain Operations
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and Krung Thep Thanakom Co Ltd have been ordered to pay a hefty 11 billion baht to the Bangkok Mass Transit System Public Co Ltd (BTS) for operating and maintaining extended sections of the Green Line electric skytrain. The ruling, issued by the Administrative Court on Monday, relates to unpaid fees from June 2021 to October 2022.
The total payment owed to BTS, including accrued interest, is expected to reach 32.62 billion baht by November next year. Deputy Bangkok governor, Wisanu Subsompon, has confirmed that the BMA respects the court's decision and is seeking approval for a supplementary budget to settle the debt. Once the payment is made, the BMA will have approximately 19 billion baht left in reserve funds.
The debt breakdown includes 12.2 billion baht from the second lawsuit period (June 2021-October 2022), another 17.1 billion baht accrued from November 2022 to December 2024, and an additional 8.3 billion baht expected for 2025 operations. Meanwhile, BMA and Krung Thep Thanakom representatives have stated they will consult with BMA executives on whether to appeal the ruling.
The BMA and Krung Thep Thanakom Co Ltd must now prepare to pay the 11 billion baht to BTS, with the total debt expected to reach 32.62 billion baht by next year. The BMA will then have around 19 billion baht remaining in reserve funds. The decision to appeal the ruling is still under consideration.
