EMPLOYEES of Bangkok Mass Transit System Plc (BTSC), operator of BTS skytrain, submitted a letter to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha at Government House this morning (Mar. 14) calling for repayment of debts mounted in the Green Line extension that have now almost reached 50 billion baht setting a seven-day deadline to do so if not they will stop running trains, TV Channel 7 and Matichon newspaper said.
The skytrain employees mentioned that they were concerned about their job security if the company’s revenues are affected.
Mr. Seksak, a representative of the employees, said BTSC executives had not ordered the submission of this letter with the employees deciding to do so on their own.
This is because over four years have passed since the Administrative Court passed a ruling ordering the government agency to repay the debt but this agency is still delaying doing so by appealing to the Supreme Administrative Court while the public service continues to operate.
The skytrain employees set a seven-day deadline for the Prime Minister to find a way out of this problem or start repaying the debt. If not they will consider returning to the Government House even though by then the administration would be in a caretaker capacity or stop running the trains which would affect the public.
However they urged the public to understand the necessity of this possible action with both BTSC and its staff having so far been professional enough to provide service as usual even though the state owes the company money.
The employees were also concerned that this debt will climb after a general election is called because at present the almost 50 billion baht owed entails 8 million baht interest payment a day. This affects state financial status with taxpayers’ money also being used for this purpose.
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BTSC employees at the Government House today (Mar. 14) demanding repayment of almost 50 billion baht debt. Photos: Matichon
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