Source: Daily News (Dailynews Newspaper, July 4, 2025 afternoon edition)
Date: Thursday, July 3, 2025, 04:43 PM
Summary: For 8 years, the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) has been continuously studying electric train projects in 4 provinces, but the government and Ministry of Transport have not pushed them forward.
"Daily News Transport Innovation News Team" reported on the status of mass transit projects in 4 provinces by the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA): Phuket, Chiang Mai, Nakhon Ratchasima, and Phitsanulok. These projects have been promoted since the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) era in 2017 and have completed their studies. Construction was planned from 2020-2022, but has been postponed multiple times. Actual construction depends on the policies of the government and the Ministry of Transport, which have not yet seriously pushed these projects. However, the projects are proceeding with studies, including:
1. Phuket Mass Transit Project, Phase 1 (Phuket Airport - Ha Yaek Chalong section), length 41.7 km.
* Construction is awaiting the completion of the Department of Highways' (DoH) expansion project for Highway No. 402 and 4027, as per the policy of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, Mr. Suriya Jungrungreangkit. This is to provide an alternative route during the electric train construction, as simultaneous construction of both the road and the electric train would exacerbate traffic problems, especially on Highway 402, affecting public travel.
* Construction is expected to begin in 2028.
* The format will be a light rail (tram) with steel wheels.
* The original plan announced by MRTA for the Phuket tram, intended to be the first electric train line outside Bangkok, was to start construction in 2020 and be completed in 2024.
2. Chiang Mai Mass Transit Project, Red Line (Nakornping Hospital - Mae Hia Saman Samakkee Intersection section), length 15.7 km.
* MRTA is currently preparing the Terms of Reference (TOR) for hiring consultants to conduct a feasibility study and detailed design for the project (new study). This is in accordance with the latest resolution of the Land Traffic Management Commission (LTMC), which requested MRTA to provide additional detailed information to connect to important tourist attractions.
* This will increase the length by 5 km and add 3 stations (from the original 16 stations) before submitting the project for approval.
* Both the Chiang Mai and Nakhon Ratchasima projects (below) are expected to complete their studies in 2026, leading to project approval and bidding processes.
* Construction is anticipated to begin around 2027-2028 and take 2-3 years, but Chiang Mai will take longer due to some underground sections.
* The electric train format for Chiang Mai will be a steel-wheeled tram.
* The original plan for these two projects was to start construction in 2022 and open for service in 2027.
3. Nakhon Ratchasima Mass Transit Project, Green Line (Save One Market - Ban Naree Sawat Protection and Career Development Center section), length 11.15 km.
* MRTA is currently preparing the TOR for hiring consultants to conduct a feasibility study and detailed design for the project (new study), as per the LTMC resolution.
* The route has been changed from the Green Line to the Orange Line, running from Theprat Hospital to Jor Hor Joint Station, with a length of 18.9 km. This change is based on proposals from the public, private sector, and relevant agencies in Nakhon Ratchasima Province. This route passes through densely populated community areas, educational institutions, hospitals, and department stores with heavy traffic, which will better help reduce urban traffic problems.
* Both the Chiang Mai and Nakhon Ratchasima projects (above) are expected to complete their studies in 2026, leading to project approval and bidding processes.
* Construction is anticipated to begin around 2027-2028 and take 2-3 years.
* The original plan for these two projects was to start construction in 2022 and open for service in 2027.
4. Phitsanulok Mass Transit Project, Red Line (Phitsanulok University - Central Plaza section), length 12.6 km.
* MRTA is currently conducting a feasibility study, expected to be completed in 2026.
* This is being done in conjunction with monitoring information on the Bangkok-Chiang Mai High-Speed Rail Project, Phase 1 (Bangkok-Phitsanulok), as passenger volume depends on the opening of the high-speed rail station in Phitsanulok.
* The electric train format will be a rubber-wheeled tram.
* There are no current construction plans. The original plan was to start construction in 2023 and open for service in 2026.
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