Bangkok: The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) executives have sanctioned an additional budget framework of more than 32 billion baht for 2026 to repay the debt incurred by the Green Line electric train project, stressing the need to hasten the process to minimize interest liabilities.

According to Thai News Agency, the 4th/2025 Bangkok Executive Committee Meeting led by Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt was held at the Nopparat Room, 5th Floor, Bangkok City Hall (Giant Swing), Phra Nakhon District. During the meeting, the budget framework for the additional fiscal year 2026 budget was approved in principle. This budget, not exceeding 32,625,106,200 baht, will be disbursed directly from Bangkok’s accumulated funds. The chief aim is to expedite the settlement of operating and maintenance costs for the Green Line Extension 1 and Extension 2, covering the period from June 1, 2021, to August 31, 2025. The payment is projected to be made around November 2025, although the Governor indicated that an earlier payment in October would be preferable to cut down on interest expenses.

The debt repayment acceleration is intended to allow Bangkok to capitalize on the interest rate differential, given the current trend of rising interest rates. This move follows a ruling by the Central Administrative Court on September 29, 2025, mandating Bangkok and Bangkok Thanakom Co., Ltd. to settle the debt, alongside outcomes of further negotiations where Bangkok tasked Bangkok Thanakom Co., Ltd. with negotiating. Consequently, the Mass Transit System Public Company Limited agreed to adjust the bus operating fee payment schedule from October 2025 to November 15, 2025, and to lower the interest rate from MLR plus 1% to MLR, effective from April 1, 2025, until the payment date, which is to be no later than November 15, 2025.

The meeting concluded with an immediate approval of the meeting report for expedited submission to the Bangkok Metropolitan Council.