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Interested developers need to submit their bids before September 30, and Sunida is confident the winner will be named before she retires in November.

"Klong Toei Market has been developed by four groups, whose concessions

for over 40 years expired recently. It's old and has no wastewater treatment system. This is the chance for PAT to upgrade the area, without any negative impact on vendors. However, we witnessed some resistance from old concessionaires, who want to see their contracts renewed," Sunida said.

The market covers 10 rai.

Qualified bidders must be entities incorporated in Thailand and have paid-up capital of at least Bt10 million. Bidders must submit the infrastructure development plan as well as the business plan and proposed returns to the agency. The development contract will run for 10 years.

"The development would boost the agency's revenue," the governor said. "We earned only Bt1 million a month from the old concessionaires."

PAT expects revenue of Bt10 billion in 2008 fiscal year, which ends this month, compared to Bt9 billion last year. The net profit would be about Bt2.5 billion, from Bt2.3 billion in the previous year. PAT is remitting 65 per cent of net profits to the government.

The agency in the 2009 fiscal year plans to invest about Bt4 billion, mostly on small projects. Earlier, PAT planned to invest over Bt10 billion to upgrade the entire Bangkok Port, which encompasses over 1,000 rai of land.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Surapong Suebwonglee insisted yesterday that all investment projects would continue as planned, though the country no longer has a permanent government.

He said the Purple Line electric train bidding would proceed, as well as the planned Confidence Thailand Fair on Mega Projects which awaits implementation by the National Economic and Social Development Board.

The Constitution Court's ruling on Wednesday led to the disqualification of the Cabinet. As Samak Sundaravej was disqualified as prime minister, other Cabinet members will be caretakers until the new prime minister is chosen and a new government formed.

All committees set up on the prime minister's orders will also end their roles, including the economic advisory council led by Virabongsa Ramangkura.

"The economic expansion now depends on the confidence of all parties. Without confidence, the economy will not expand," he said.