CEO Monthly August 2017

6 CEO MONTHLY / AUGUST 2017 , BangkokMass Transit SystemPcl. (part of the BTS Group), is Thailand’s leadingmass transit rail service provider and developer of Bangkok’s first elevated Skytrain system. CEO Surapong Laoha-Unya shares his insights on the development of transport infrastructure in the country. Leading theWay Bangkok Mass Transit System Public Company Limited. (BTSC) was established in 1992, having won a 30-year concession from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration to build, operate and transfer an elevated mass transit railway system, consisting of two routes serving Central Bangkok. BTSC’s primary objective was to construct and operate a financially sustainable urban mass transit railway system, to ease the increasingly severe city traffic problems. The Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTS Skytrain), was opened for passenger service on the 5th December 1999 and operates on two lines. Initially running a distance of 23.5 km, the system was subsequently expanded to 36.25 km, with the addition of line extensions which now serve a total of 34 stations, located in Bangkok’s most important business and tourist districts, interchanging with the underground metro, as well as the Airport Rail Link connecting to Suwannabhumi International Airport. When the BTS Skytrain first entered passenger service, the fleet consisted of 35 trains in a 3-car configuration, totaling 105 railcars. Following system expansion, the company currently operates a total of 52 trains in a 4-car configuration, making a total fleet size of 208 railcars. Since commencing service, daily ridership has risen to 900,000 passenger trips. Today the company is recognised as Thailand’s leading mass transit railway operator with over 2000 employees, providing safe, convenient and fast transportation transport services. With a background in transportation planning and Civil Engineering, CEO Surapong Laoha-Unya has been with the company since the very beginning. Initially joining the company as Traffic and Team Leader, he was soon appointed as Vice President in charge of planning and coordination, then rising to the post of Chief Operating Officer. Now as CEO he also sits on the board of directors. ‘I’m justifiably proud of our company’s achievements, despite the considerable economic and political turbulence over the past 25 years or so, both at home and abroad. We have weathered the financial storms to become one of Thailand’s top 50 companies listed on the Stock Exchange, as well as leaders in the rail mass transport sector. Indeed we are further distinguished by being the only totally privately funded Mass Transit System in the world to achieve profitability, while providing highly reliable safe and clean services to recognized international standards. Much to the admiration of many of my friends visiting from other countries, compared to other metros in other major cities around the world, our trains are very clean and well maintained.’ ‘Receiving this prestigious award is indeed an honour and shows that our hard work and determination is recognised internationally. This undoubtedly strengthens our position when bidding for major overseas contracts. Personally, I take great satisfaction in knowing that our company continues to achieve the highest industry standards and is poised to expand operations to other countries in the near future.’ ‘To ensure the success of projects undertaken, we must look carefully at sustainability and ROI before making any commitments. While we essentially provide public transport services, we need to maintain profitability and provide acceptable returns to shareholders. When considering large infrastructure projects, we look to predict all types of risks and formulate plans to mitigate them. Essentially, we are looking at a ‘win-win’ for all stakeholders, such that nobody is seen to lose out. As with most large-scale projects, the key to success is good planning and mutual understanding from the outset. My vision for the company aligns with that of our Chairman, in that we see our company becoming one of Thailand’s ‘leading Blue Chip’ companies, through expansion of our core business of transport development and operation, both locally and internationally. Thailand currently stands at the threshold of massive GCE17041 infrastructural development, including major investment in rail projects. Through participation with the government in PPP (Public Private Partnership) arrangements, our company is poised to expand at a faster rate than ever before. This presents its own challenges, particularly in terms of human resource development, hence as CEO I must focus on ways to ensure that our company can attract suitably qualified staff as well as keep those already in our employ. Indeed with such massive construction projects in progress simultaneously, the stresses on manpower availability is becoming of critical importance to all industries in this expanding economy. With over 2000 members of staff, as CEO I have an ‘open door’ policy, in that I place importance on feedback and comment from all levels of our organization. I believe that I am approachable, with a straight forward and down- to-earth manner. But above all, I keep my word in dealing with all matters and my determination to succeed is unwavering. I never give up until I have received satisfactory results. Born from Thai culture and upbringing, I believe I demonstrate a high degree of personal integrity in all matters under my influence and control. This could be said to be one of my main distinguishing traits. The Royal Thai Government’s current rail infrastructure plans cover not only urban mass transit, but also development of the national rail network, with