Guidelines for public-private partnerships are expected to be finalised for consideration by the cabinet in early 2010, says Chakrit Parapuntakul, the acting director-general of the Public Debt Management Office. The PPP guidelines will serve as a framework for future public investment programmes with the private sector, considering that the country faces growing tension between rising public debt and fiscal realities with the critical need to invest in basic infrastructure and public services, he said. Join discussion...

The Thai government is targeting a bigger role for the private sector in boosting economic growth, raising the value of projects it expects to finance in partnership with private investors to 10% of its THB1.43 trillion ($43.07 billion) investment budget from the currently planned 2%, a senior finance ministry official said Wednesday. Join discussion...

Thailand's Ministry of Transport is considering a plan to develop a THB30 billion ($898 million) motorway project to open a new transportation channel between central Thailand and the Northeastern region. The 196-kilometer road project, from Bang Pa In to the Northeastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima, will be implemented under a public-private partnership scheme, Transport Minister Sophon Zaram told reporters. Join discussion...

The company is in talks with the Highways Department and Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT) about the fund's formation, and they are waiting for a clearer pattern of the fund, KTAM Chief Executive Officer Somchai Boonnamsiri said. Join discussion...

The Highways Department will propose that the construction of the Bang Pa-in-Saraburi-Nakhon Ratchasima motorway should be carried out on a public-private partnership (PPP) basis. Join discussion...