Tollway fee hike lawful, judge finds
An Administrative Court judge yesterday suggested the lawsuit against the plan to hike the Don Muang tollway fee be dismissed on grounds the increase didn't break any contract agreement and public users could opt for a normal road.
Since this was the initial suggestion by the judge, the Administrative Court would rule on this case later on.
Yesterday, the defendants’ representatives testified to the court that the hike was in accordance with the contract – while a decision on what route the service was to be provided on was up to government policy.
Judge Chayin Saengjan, who announced the finding, opined that this lawsuit should be dismissed because any fee increase didn’t contravene the contract, which was checked and approved by a coordination committee including the Attorney-General and related agency officials.
Besides, he said, if the plaintiff and members of the public felt the fee was too expensive, they could opt for the Vibhavadi Road underneath the tollway.
Initial fight
Udon Thani-based independent academic Somkid Homnet filed a lawsuit against then-transport minister Sophon Saram, then-Highway Department chief Weera Reungsuksriwong, the Don Muang Tollway Public Company Limited as well the then-Cabinet over the contract.
It extended the tollway concession from 25 years to 27 years and allowed the fee increase – which would be in effect from December 22, 2009 – December 21, 2014.
