He added that if the consortium failed to meet the deadline, it could be blacklisted. Partners in the consortium would also be affected accordingly when they bid for other state projects in the future.

Pertners in the CP-led consortium comprise Bangkok Expressway and Metro Plc, China Railway Construction Corporation, Ch Karnchang Plc, and Italian-Thai Development Plc.

The committee tasked with overseeing bidding for the high-speed train project, has set October 15 as deadline for the signing.

The CP-led consortium proposed the lowest bidding price. If it failed to seal the deal with the state agency  on that date, it might risk being considered as abandoning the project.

In the event of the signing being delayed, Anutin said, it could undermine the confidence of potential  investors in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC).

The railway project will connect the three international airports -Don Mueang airport in Bangkok, Suvarnabhumi airport in Samut Prakarn and U-Tapao airport in Rayong.

The EEC covers the three provinces of  Chachoengsao, Chonburi and Rayong.