The Democrat Party has sounded a clarion call of opposition to Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit’s audacious proposal—offering a 30-year extension to the operator of the Don Muang Tollway in exchange for a tantalizing fare reduction to 50 baht. This 21-kilometre expanse of expressway stretches seamlessly from Bangkok’s bustling Din Daeng area to the tranquil confines of the National Memorial in Pathum Thani’s Lam Luk Ka district.
Now, why all the hullabaloo, you ask? The concessionaire is champing at the bit to increase fares by a modest five to ten baht come December 22. This hike would nudge the rate from 80 to 90 baht for the Din Daeng to Don Muang section, and from 35 to 40 baht for the Don Muang to National Memorial segment. Suriya, ever the savvy operator, claims that extending the concession would alleviate the government’s financial strain, sparing it from compensating for the dip in revenue resulting from lower tolls.
However, not everyone is singing from the same hymn sheet. Charnchai Issarasenarak, a former Democrat MP for Nakhon Nayok, isn’t buying it. He says the proposal is a dud, primarily because the current concession expires in 2034, after which motorists can zip along the expressway for free. “Extending the concession means the operator pockets cash for another 30 years,” he argues, exasperated.
Samart Ratchapolsitte, former deputy Bangkok governor, didn’t mince words either. Venting his thoughts on Facebook, he stressed that government entities typically haggle with expressway operators to delay toll increases and ease living costs for the populace. However, he contends, the minister’s scheme doesn’t pass the smell test when it comes to public benefit. While an extension might save motorists some baht, it essentially shackles the state from meddling in toll fare settings during the extended period. He asserts that should the expressway return to state control post-concession, the state would have carte blanche to slash fares.
Of course, the operator maintains a different tune. They insist that the impending toll hikes align perfectly with the periodic fare adjustments permissible every five years under the existing concession agreement. Using their math, the toll will likely climb from 130 baht per trip to a hefty 145 baht per trip before the current concession finally bites the dust.
Backtracking a bit—under the original 25-year deal, the operation should have handed over the expressway keys to the state in 2014. However, the narrative takes a twist. Between 2005 and 2006, the operator sang a mournful ballad of financial losses due to the government stonewalling a fare hike and a traffic nosedive following Suvarnabhumi Airport’s inauguration. This led to fraught negotiations with the Highway Department. The result? The operator snagged an additional 27 years to oversee the expressway and the leeway to jack up fares as stipulated.
In the grand scheme of things, while Suriya’s extension proposition might sprinkle some temporary relief on the wallets of weary motorists, critics argue it’s merely kicking the can down the road. The debate rages on, churning waves in Bangkok’s volatile political waters, as stakeholders wrangle over a compromise that tips the scales in favor of public good.
I can’t believe people are actually complaining about getting a discount! A 30-year extension for cheaper tolls seems like a no-brainer to me.
But John, you’re missing the point. After 2034, the road would be free for everyone. Extending the concession just means more money for the operator, not the public.
Emma, I get your point, but isn’t lower tolls better than no toll relief at all? We have to think about the immediate future too.
John, it’s more about the long-term consequences. This isn’t just about a 30-baht difference.
Suriya’s plan makes perfect sense. Why should we wait 11 years for free tolls when we can save money now?
Sammy, it’s shortsighted. The state loses control for another 30 years. If we’d waited, we could cut fares as we see fit.
Chris, isn’t cutting fares now more urgent? Especially with the current economic situation.
We need solutions now, but not at the expense of our future.
The whole situation is a mess. If the government hadn’t delayed those fare hikes back in 2006, we wouldn’t be in this mess!
Dev, you’re right. Bad decisions back then are causing this drama now.
Maya, it’s frustrating. People don’t see how these ‘good intentions’ have long-term costs.
Why didn’t anyone protest back in 2006 when the operator got the 27-year extension? Seems like people love to complain when it’s too late.
Isn’t it ridiculous that the operator could hike fares to 145 baht before 2034? Who can afford that?
Hannah, this is why we need the fare reduction now! Otherwise, it will get out of control!
But James, by the time we hit 2034, people won’t have to pay at all. How is a temporary relief better?
Politicians need to stop making deals that only help private companies. This is just another example.
Patty, it’s not that simple. Sometimes these deals are the only way to get things moving.
Jacob, maybe, but it feels like the public always gets the short end of the stick.
Suriya’s just trying to buy votes. Politicians always make these grand gestures before elections.
Why isn’t there more focus on finding a middle ground? Both sides seem so polarized.
Samantha, politics rarely finds the middle ground because it’s all about power.
This is typical of Thai politics. The rich keep getting richer while the rest of us pay the price.
Carlos, you’re so right. The system is rigged, and the public suffers.
I hope the Democrats win on this one. Extending the concession is just a bad deal for the people.
We need more transparency in how these decisions are made. Too much happens behind closed doors.
Sarah, that’s government for you. They always have hidden agendas.
Ryan, it’s so frustrating. Citizens deserve to know what’s really going on.
It’s about time someone stood up to these greedy operators!
Everyone needs to think about the long-term implications here, not just immediate savings.
Suriya is just trying to close the deal quickly, without considering future costs. Isn’t that irresponsible?
Ryan, totally agree. Quick fixes are rarely the solution.
Transport issues in Bangkok are always a hot mess. This tollway issue is no different.
I can’t wait to see how this unfolds. Either way, it’s going to impact us for decades.