PPP model planned for Purple Line

The government will use a public-private partnership (PPP) model for train operations and signaling systems used with the new Purple mass-transit rail line in Bangkok. Talks have already been opened with four or five Japanese trading conglomerates about investing in the Bt50b Purple Line, said Theeraj Athanavanich, director of the public infrastructure financing  bureau of the Public Debt Management Office (PDMO). The PDMO plans to use the PPP model for two phases of the Purple line, covering train operations and investments in the signaling system, which combined are projected to cost Bt13b. Mr Theeraj said the PDMO would sound out potential investors worldwide about participating in the program later this year. (Bangkok Post)