New SRT governor aims to make Thailand ASEAN rail hub

Veeris Ammarapala, the newly appointed governor of the State Railway of Thailand (SRT), pledged to transform Thailand into a leading railway service hub in the ASEAN region during his four-year tenure.

Ready to begin his duties as the 20th governor, Veeris recognises the significance of his role and the SRT’s mission as the nation’s largest state-owned transportation enterprise.

The SRT faces several urgent tasks, with the primary focus on advancing and initiating projects that align with the Ministry of Transport’s policies to boost investment in rail infrastructure. Key projects include the construction of double-track railways nationwide and the Thai-Chinese high-speed railway project linking Bangkok with Nong Khai in the northeast, Veeris said.

“I will also focus on growing the rail service and increasing its capacity to swiftly establish Thailand as the hub of rail transportation in ASEAN.”

Additionally, he plans to expedite the resolution of the SRT’s 230 billion baht (US$7 billion) debt and encourage private sector investment in SRT projects.

He aims to forge partnerships with state enterprises to lease track usage, potentially reducing transportation costs within Thailand. Veeris also intends to develop SRT properties to generate additional revenue.

The SRT will explore opportunities for revenue-generating land development along the railways, said Veeris.

“I will increase the SRT’s revenue, reduce its debt, and improve service efficiency and customer satisfaction.”

Veeris plans to seek support from the Ministry of Finance to address the debt, part of which stems from an obligation to provide social rail services to the underprivileged at no cost.

Discussions will include the amount of government subsidies and debt consolidation and restructuring. Veeris noted that the SRT’s debt would be significantly lowered if these measures were implemented.

Addressing speculations about his appointment due to close ties with Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit, Veeris denied such claims. He emphasised his extensive experience in various organisations contributing to national development, reported Bangkok Post.

Upon learning of the open position, he applied independently, without any external influence.

“My goal is to improve the railway service further so that it becomes the main means of transportation in the country and attracts a lot of people, especially younger people, to use it frequently. The rail transit system will also help reduce carbon emissions compared to private cars.”