A CONSORTIUM of Siemens Transportation Systems and Sino-Thai Engineering & Construction was confirmed on December 13 as preferred bidder for the DBOM concession to build the express rail line to serve Bangkok’s new Suvarnabhumi International Airport (RG 10.04 p663).
According to SRT Deputy Governor Youdtana Tupcharoen, the Siemens group offered the lowest financial and construction costs of the three competing bidders. Its final bid was between 29bn and 30bn baht, depending on the financing terms.
The East-West consortium, led by Italian-Thai Development with Vossloh, bid 32·7bn, whilst the MCBM consortium of CH Karnchang, Bilfinger Berger and Mitsubishi failed to meet the financing requirements.
Youdtana expected to complete negotiations and award the contract within a month, so that work could start in early 2005. The 33 km elevated line running east from Makkasan will open for revenue service in mid-2008. The airport is scheduled to be inaugurated on September 28 2005.
