SRT's Makkasan area set for commercial development, park

The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) debt will be largely cleared with the lease of its prime land plot in Makkasan. The area is to be developed commercially and as a park of up to 200 rai.

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An overview of some of the prime undeveloped land in Makkasan owned by the State Railway of Thailand in central Bangkok which will be leased by the Finance Ministry. PATIPAT JANTHONG

SRT ordered to lease Makkasan land

Amornrat Mahitthirook

The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has been ordered to lease one of its prime Bangkok land plots to the Finance Ministry in an attempt to help the agency clear its debt burden.

The agreement was reached in talks on Thursday between the Transport and Finance ministries with details to be completed by early June, Transport Minister Prajin Juntong said.

"The Finance Ministry will calculate the rental fees and period in exchange for its management. This plan will end the [SRT's] debt. But the land will remain under the SRT," he said.

The decision followed an order by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to seek means to resolve the SRT's 85 billion baht in accumulated debt and to provide more green areas for the capital.

ACM Prajin said the final decision on the detailed plan will rest with Gen Prayut.

The Makkasan area owned by the SRT covers 745 rai and includes a large swamp of 113 rai. It is regarded as one of the most significant prime land plots in the centre of Bangkok. It covers the Makkasan station for the Airport Rail Link, an SRT hospital, residential quarters for staff and the head office of the maintenance unit.

ACM Prajin made clear to the Finance Ministry that not all of the land will be used for commercial purposes as part of it must be set aside for a new park which will include a museum, exercise area and a bicycle lane.

SRT board chairman Omsin Cheewaphruek said the new park could be as big as 200 rai.

The SRT plans to move its maintenance headquarters to Kaeng Khoi district in Saraburi after the Finance Ministry steps in, according to the minister.

The maintenance centre in Kaeng Khoi will service old and new trains that come with the wider 1.435 metre gauge.

Mr Omsin said the hospital will be relocated to Bang Sue and a new housing area for SRT officials will be built in other locations.

Permanent secretary for transport Soithip Traisuth welcomed the decision as it is in line with the railway agency's playing a part in creating more green areas in Bangkok.

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