Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul today defended a Cabinet decision to remove Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn from oversight of the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), saying there was no conflict between them.
Speaking in Kazan, Russia, Anutin, who is also Interior Minister, said the Cabinet had agreed to end Phiphat’s role in overseeing the EEC Office because he had decided to take direct responsibility for the project himself.
He said that the move was not due to any disagreement with Phiphat, but because the EEC had already reached a stage where its transport and infrastructure systems were largely ready.
The next phase, he said, is to promote investment in industrial estates, factories, universities and new business cities.
Anutin said he has stronger expertise in marketing and intends to act as a “salesman” for the EEC, promoting it to foreign investors.
He added that his frequent meetings with world leaders, private sector representatives and global business groups would help attract investment and create business-matching opportunities.
He said taking direct charge of the EEC would allow him to present Thailand and the EEC project more effectively during overseas visits and official missions.
He stressed that the decision does not reduce Phiphat’s role, noting that the transport minister already has a heavy workload. The change, he said, is intended as a division of responsibilities to improve efficiency.
Phiphat told reporters today that he does not know the reason behind the abrupt change, but maintained that there is no internal conflict within the Bhumjaithai Party.
He said he does not see his removal from the EEC as a sign of a reduced role in the government, adding that he can take on any job assigned to him by the prime minister.
It is widely speculated, however, that Phiphat’s removal from the EEC project stemmed from his refusal to amend the contract for the construction of the high-speed rail project linking Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang and U-Tapao airports.
Officially known as the ‘High-Speed Rail Linking Three Airports Project’, it will be Thailand’s second high-speed rail system upon completion.
It is being developed by Asia Era One and partners, comprising Charoen Pokphand Group, Ch. Karnchang Plc, Bangkok Expressway and Metro Plc, Italian-Thai Development Plc and China Railway Construction Corporation, under a public-private partnership agreement signed between the State Railway of Thailand and Asia Era One.
The project has made no progress since the end of last year.
