The Transport Ministry is set to propose an expansion of the State Railway of Thailand’s (SRT) Red Line electric commuter rail network to the cabinet, announced Transport Deputy Minister Surapong Piyachote.
Mr. Surapong revealed that the ministry will present proposals for three extensions this week: the Taling Chan-Salaya extension, Rangsit-Thammasat University Rangsit Campus extension, and the Taling Chan-Siriraj extension.
These proposals will follow deliberation with the Finance Ministry, Budget Bureau, and the Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council.
The Taling Chan-Salaya extension, covering a distance of 14.8 kilometers, will include six stations, with an estimated construction cost of 10.67 billion baht. The Rangsit-Thammasat University Rangsit Campus extension, spanning 8.84 kilometers, will feature four stations and is projected to cost about 6.47 billion baht. Lastly, the Taling Chan-Siriraj extension, extending 5.7 kilometers with three planned stations, is expected to require 4.6 billion baht for construction.
Bidding for these projects is scheduled for this year, with construction anticipated to span 35 months from 2025 to 2028. Services along these extensions are targeted to commence in 2028.
Mr. Surapong also highlighted efforts for seven additional double-track railway upgrades, including the approved 167-kilometer Khon Kaen-Nong Khai railway, allocated a budget of 29.7 billion baht. Bidding for this project is ongoing, with construction slated to commence later this year.
Moreover, SRT’s board has greenlit three other projects: the Pak Nam Pho-Den Chai railway upgrade (281 km, 81.14 billion baht), the Thanon Jira-Ubon Ratchathani railway upgrade (308 km, 44.10 billion baht), and the Hat Yai Junction-Padang Besar railway upgrade (45 km, 7.9 billion baht). Remaining projects are expected to be presented to the cabinet within the year.
