SRT panel to draw up development plan for non-core land

Amnuay Preemonwong, chairman of the panel overseeing the development of the SRT’s non-essential land plots, said yesterday that the panel would focus on how the state agency would benefit from these plots which total 39,000 rai (6,240 hectares), from next year to 2021. 
The panel will also draw up key performance indicators to evaluate the land’s development.
Of the total land in question, 23,000 rai is vacant, 16,000 rai is land the SRT has rented out, and 252 rai is land that is being encroached on. 
The SRT will consider whether it should set up a wholly owned subsidiary to undertake the land development.
“The meeting will see which of the vacant plots can be developed and will consider raising the rental fee for leased land in order to boost the state agency’s revenue,” said Amnuay, who also serves as the Finance Ministry’s deputy permanent secretary.
The SRT will consider increasing the rental fees before the expiration of leaseholders’ five-year rent period.
The panel does not oversee management of the Makkasan land plots of which the SRT has transferred the right of use to the Finance Ministry.
The planned development of non-core land is part of the SRT plan to boost its revenue in line with its rehabilitation. The state agency has generated revenue of only Bt3 billion per year from its total land assets, which is low considering the vast amount of land in its ownership.