SRT plans four-month Airport Rail Link deal to Jan 31, 2027
Asia Era One would need to post a guarantee of about 533 million baht under the proposed deal to continue operating Bangkok’s Airport Rail Link
- The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) is negotiating a four-month contract extension with operator Asia Era One to continue Airport Rail Link services until January 31, 2027.
- The new agreement requires Asia Era One to provide a new operating guarantee of approximately 533 million baht to support its responsibilities.
- No additional operating fee has been set for the extension period; service revenue will continue to be used to offset operating expenses.
- To ensure uninterrupted service, an SRT subsidiary is preparing a contingency plan to take over operations if necessary.
State Railway of Thailand (SRT) governor Anan Phonimdaeng said on Friday (September 18, 2026) that negotiations were nearing agreement on four more months of Airport Rail Link services in Bangkok, through January 31, 2027. The SRT expects to sign a new deal with Asia Era One in the following week.
Asia Era One, a Charoen Pokphand (CP) Group company, would continue operating under a new memorandum of understanding (MOU) after the existing operating agreement expires on September 30, 2026.
Anan stressed that the SRT and its private-sector partner would continue working together to maintain uninterrupted passenger services.
Anan said no additional operating fee had yet been set for the proposed four-month arrangement. Service revenue would continue to be used to offset operating expenses under the existing framework and principles.
Asia Era One must lodge a new operating guarantee
The project committee has agreed in principle that the private operator may continue running the Airport Rail Link, provided it lodges a guarantee to support safe operations and secure the associated obligations, Anan said.
Asia Era One would have to provide a new operating guarantee of approximately 533 million baht when the new MOU is signed. Anan explained that the amount was calculated at about 5% of the rights fee, but was a guarantee supporting the company’s operating responsibilities, rather than payment of the rights fee itself.
The guarantee lodged under the existing MOU would enter the withdrawal and return process in line with the agreed conditions, Anan said.
“The new guarantee will be put in place when the new MOU is signed. The guarantee will be returned when the MOU ends, or, if operations are extended, the arrangements will depend on further negotiations and the terms agreed by both parties,” Anan said.
SRT subsidiary prepares contingency for continued services
The SRT has also instructed its subsidiary, S.R.T. Electrified Train Company Limited (SRTET), to prepare for a possible role in maintaining services, Anan said.
SRTET’s preparations must cover inspections of railway structures and trains, together with arrangements to ensure operating personnel are ready if required.
