| Bangkok Mass Rapid Transit System | |
| Owner: | BMA MRTA SRT |
| Locale: | Bangkok Metropolitan Region |
| Transit Type: | Commuter rail • • Airport rail link • Rapid transit • • • • • (under construction) Light rail • Silver Line (planned) Monorail • • (planned) • • (planned) • (planned) People Mover • |
| Lines: | 10 lines (out of 15 total planned) |
| Stations: | 190 out of planned 310 |
| Ridership: | 1.68 million[1] |
| Began Operation: | 5 December 1999 |
| Operator: | S.R.T. Electrified Train • • Asia Era One • Bangkok Mass Transit System • • • • • Bangkok Expressway and Metro • • • |
| System Length: | 276.84km (172.02miles) |
| Track Gauge: | MRT, BTS and Airport Rail Link: SRT Red Lines: |
| El: | MRT and BTS: ARL and SRT: overhead catenary |
| Top Speed: | MRT and BTS: 80km/h ARL and SRT: 160km/h |
The Mass Rapid Transit Master Plan in Bangkok Metropolitan Region, or M-Map, is the latest version in a series of Thai government plans for the development of an urban rail transit network serving the Greater Bangkok area. It was drafted under the care of the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP) of the Ministry of Transport.
See main article: Lavalin Skytrain. Lavalin Skytrain Project is the earliest mass rapid transit plan of Bangkok to solve the traffic congestion in Bangkok during 1970s. The project feasibility study was conducted by Thai Government with the association from West Germany Government in 1971 which led to establishment of Expressway Authority of Thailand under Clause 39 of the Announcement of the Revolutionary Council Decree 290 dated 27 November 1972 (B.E.2515) to responsible for planning and construction of expressway and mass rapid transit projects.
In 1979, the master plan compiled by Japanese advisers would have consisted of the First Stage Urban Mass Transit Lines such as the first line known as the Rama IV line, a 25-km route between Phrakhanong and Mo Chit, while the second line, the Sathron line, a 20-km route would connect Wongwian Yai and Lad Phrao, and the third line, the Memorial Line, a 16-km route that connects Dao Khanong and Makkasan, and the expected numbers of passengers were expected to be 200,000 passengers a day in 1990.[2] The rolling stock would have utilized six heavy rail cars running at 15 minutes per train for non-rush hour and four minutes during rush hour, compared with current trains running at 6–8 minutes per train during non-rush hour and 3–5 minutes per train during rush hour, using three heavy rail cars. The project was meant to have a cost of $1100 million.[3]
The finalised version of the project consisted of three light rail transit lines which are Sathorn Line, Rama IV Line, and Saphan Phut Line, with the depot located in Huai Khwang district (current location of Phra Ram 9 depot of MRT Blue Line). The project was expected to begin in 1981 and be completed in 1986. However, due to the 1979 oil crisis, Lavalin Skytrain project was shelved as the estimated costs were doubled.
The project was revised under the government of General Prem Tinsulanonda in 1984 and entered the bidding process with three participating companies being Asia-Euro Consortium (comprising AEG, Siemens, MAN, and Ateliers de Constructions Electriques de Charleroi),[4] SNC-Lavalin, and Franco-Japanese Consortium. The project was awarded to SNC-Lavalin, and the contracts for a 30-year operating concession and construction were signed in May 1990 at Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre.
However, after two years of construction, In June 1992, The project was terminated by the government of Anand Panyarachun . The government stated that SNC-Lavalin failed to sign a shareholders agreement by a specified and the Thai government refused requests for overseas loan and investment guarantees.[5] Outside of Thailand, numerous international media sources suggested politics played in its demise.Today, There are two remainings from the construction of Lavalin Skytrain project: the abandoned viaduct in the middle of Phra Pok Klao Bridge (now converted into Chao Phraya Skypark),[6] and a reserved space in the middle of Sathorn Bridge (currently used by Silom Line).
The first version of the plan, endorsed by the cabinet on 27 September 1994 and to be implemented from 1995 to 2011, consisted of an extension of to the three systems already in progress (the MRT Blue Line, the Sukhumvit and Silom lines of the BTS Skytrain and the Bangkok Elevated Road and Train System (BERTS)), which would have had a combined length of .[7]
Following the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis and the cancellation of the BERTS, a system totalling to begin in 2001 was proposed, to be developed in three stages: during 2001–11, during 2012–21 and from 2022 onwards.
Due to the slow progress of development following URMAP, a new plan was drafted consisting of of rail in addition to the then-completed MRT Blue Line, the Sukhumvit and Silom BTS lines, the MRT purple line, and the Airport Rail Link to undergo rapid development during 2010–29. The plan was approved by the cabinet in 2016, and consisted of the following extensions:
See also: List of rapid transit stations in Bangkok. The first M-Map plan was endorsed by the Commission for the Management of Land Traffic in 2010.[8] It designated eight primary routes, consisting of two commuter rail lines, an airport rail link, and five rapid transit lines, as well as five feeder lines. The routes, totaling, were to be constructed within a development period of twenty years (2010–29). They were:[9]
| Rapid transit type | Line | Route |
|---|---|---|
| Primary lines | ||
| Heavy rail | SRT Dark Red Line | Thammasat University – Rangsit – Krung Thep Aphiwat – Hua Lamphong – Bang Bon – Maha Chai |
| SRT Light Red Line | Sala Ya – Taling Chan – Hua Mak | |
| Heavy rail | SRT Airport Rail Link | Suvarnabhumi – Phaya Thai – Krung Thep Aphiwat – Don Mueang |
| Heavy rail | BTS Light Green Line and extension of BTS | East Outer Ring Road – Khu Khot – Saphan Mai – Mo Chit – On Nut – Bearing – Kheha Samut Prakan – Bang Pu |
| BTS Dark Green Line and extension of BTS | Yot Se – Saphan Taksin – Bang Wa – Taling Chan | |
| MRT Blue Line and extension of MRT | Tha Phra – Bang Sue – Hua Lamphong – Tha Phra – Lak Song – Phutthamonthon Sai 4 | |
| MRT Purple Line | Khlong Bang Phai – Tao Poon – Khru Nai | |
| MRT Orange Line | Bang Khun Non – Thailand Cultural Centre – Yaek Rom Klao | |
| Feeder lines | ||
| Monorail | Lat Phrao – Samrong | |
| Nonthaburi Civic Center – Min Buri | ||
| Grey Line | Watcharaphon – Rama IX Bridge | |
| Light Blue Line | Pracha Songkhro – Chong Nonsi | |
Development would be divided into three stages, in addition to those lines already open or under construction.[10]
The 2010 M-Map did not reflect more recent changes to the priority of constructing new rapid transit lines in Bangkok. While the Orange, Yellow and Pink lines received approval in the years that followed, the Grey and Light Blue lines remained unapproved at the time of the next M-Map. In March 2017, the Minister of Transport announced the development of the Second Mass Rapid Transit Master Plan in Bangkok Metropolitan Region (M-Map 2).[11] The Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP) was the main agency responsible for this master plan's development, with technical assistance from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).[12]
The initial project materials listed the following lines as part of the plan:[13]
| Rapid transit type | Line | Route |
|---|---|---|
| Primary lines | ||
| Heavy rail | SRT Dark Red Line | Thammasat University – Rangsit – Krung Thep Aphiwat – Hua Lamphong – Bang Bon – Maha Chai |
| SRT Light Red Line | Sala Ya – Taling Chan – Hua Mak | |
| Heavy rail | SRT Airport Rail Link and extension | Suvarnabhumi – Phaya Thai – Krung Thep Aphiwat – Don Mueang |
| Heavy rail | BTS Light Green Line | East Outer Ring Road – Khu Khot – Saphan Mai – Mo Chit – On Nut – Bearing – Kheha Samut Prakan – Bang Pu |
| BTS Dark Green Line | Yot Se – Saphan Taksin – Bang Wa – Taling Chan | |
| Tha Phra – Bang Sue – Hua Lamphong – Tha Phra – Lak Song – Phutthamonthon Sai 4 | ||
| MRT Purple Line | Khlong Bang Phai – Tao Poon – Khru Nai | |
| MRT Orange Line | Bang Khun Non – Thailand Cultural Centre – Yaek Rom Klao | |
| Feeder lines | ||
| Monorail | MRT Yellow Line | Phaholyothin 24 – Lat Phrao – Samrong |
| MRT Pink Line and Impact Link Spur Line | Nonthaburi Civic Center – (Si Rat – Mueang Thong Lake) – Min Buri | |
In 2019, JICA released a Proposed M-MAP2 Blueprint study, outlining "key policy directions and measures based on which the M-MAP2 will be developed by the Thai Government".[14] The Department of Rail Transport, OTP's successor agency for rail transport planning, is in the process of completing M-Map 2.[15] [16]
, the Grey and Light Blue line projects remain unapproved; however, the MRT Brown Line project, which will link Nonthaburi Civic Center with the Lam Sali intersection between Ramkhamhaeng and Srinagarindra roads, has gained cabinet approval. Additionally, a Gold Line along Charoen Nakhon road that starts at Krung Thonburi, partially funded by property developer Siam Piwat, has been operational outside of the M-Map framework since 2020 and is planned to be further extended towards the Memorial Bridge, linking it with the Purple Line extension that runs through the bridge's surrounding area.
| Rapid transit type | Line | Route | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monorail | BMA Grey Line | Watcharaphon – Rama IX Bridge | |
| Light Blue Line | Pracha Songkhro – Chong Nonsi | ||
| MRT Brown Line | Nonthaburi Civic Center – Yaek Lam Sali | ||
| Automated guideway transit | BMA Gold Line | Krung Thonburi – Memorial Bridge | |
| Light rail | BMA Silver Line | Bang Na – Suvarnabhumi |
| Line Name | Commencement | Last extension | Next extension | Terminus | Length(km) | Stations | Track Gauge | Depot | Signalling | Power Supply | Owner | Operator(s) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commuter rail | ||||||||||||||
| - | January 2028 | Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal | Rangsit | 22.5km (14miles) | 10 | • Bang Sue | ETCS Level 1 | 25 kV AC 50 Hz, overhead line | State Railway of Thailand | S.R.T. Electrified Train | ||||
| February 2028 | Taling Chan | 14.93km (09.28miles) | 4 | |||||||||||
| Airport rail link | ||||||||||||||
| - | 2027 | Phaya Thai | Suvarnabhumi | 28.17km (17.5miles) | 8 | • Khlong Tan | Fixed-block Siemens LZB 700M | 25 kV AC 50 Hz, overhead line | State Railway of Thailand | Previous: S.R.T. Electrified Train Current: Asia Era One | ||||
| Rapid Transit | ||||||||||||||
| TBA | Khu Khot | Kheha | 51.17km (31.8miles) | 47 | • Khu Khot • Bang Pu | Previous: Fixed-block Siemens LZB 700M ATC Current: Moving-block Bombardier Cityflo 450 CBTC | 750 V DC, Third Rail | Bangkok Metropolitan Administration | Bangkok Mass Transit System | |||||
| • Mo Chit | ||||||||||||||
| National Stadium | Bang Wa | 13.09km (08.13miles) | 14 | |||||||||||
| • Bang Wa sub-depot | ||||||||||||||
| Tha Phra | Lak Song | 46.91km (29.15miles) | 38 | • Huai Khwang • Phetkasem | Fixed-block Siemens LZB 700M ATC | Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand | Bangkok Expressway and Metro | |||||||
| - | March 2027 | Khlong Bang Phai | Tao Poon | 20.92km (13miles) | 16 | • Khlong Bang Phai • Kru Nai (under construction) | Moving-block Bombardier Cityflo 650 CBTC | |||||||
| Monorail | ||||||||||||||
| - | 2025 | Nonthaburi Civic Centre | Min Buri | 33.9km (21.1miles) | 30 | - | • Min Buri | Moving-block Bombardier Cityflo 650 CBTC | 750 V DC, Third Rail | Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand | Bangkok Mass Transit System | |||
| - | Lat Phrao | Samrong | 28.62km (17.78miles) | 23 | • Si Udom | |||||||||
| People Mover | ||||||||||||||
| - | TBA | Krung Thon Buri | Khlong San | 1.67km (01.04miles) | 3 | • Krung Thon Buri | Moving-block Bombardier Cityflo 650 CBTC | 750 V DC, Third Rail | Bangkok Metropolitan Administration | Bangkok Mass Transit System | ||||
| Total | 261.88km (162.72miles) | 189 | ||||||||||||
| Line Name | Name | Plannedopening date | Terminus | Length(km) | Stations | Status | Owner | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commuter rail | |||||||||
| Thammasart University (Rangsit Campus) to Ban Pachi Junction Section | TBA | Thammasart University (Rangsit Campus) | Ban Pachi Junction | ≈22km (14miles) | 9 | Planning | State Railway of Thailand | ||
| Hua Lamphong to Mahachai Section | Hua Lamphong | Mahachai | 34.76km (21.6miles) | 20 | |||||
| Mahachai to Pak Tho Section | Mahachai | Pak Tho | ≈78km (48miles) | 17 | |||||
| Rangsit to Thammasart University (Rangsit Campus) Section | January 2028 | Rangsit | Thammasart University (Rangsit Campus) | 10.3km (06.4miles) | 4 | To be tendered | |||
| Missing Link Section | TBA | Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal | Hua Lamphong | 7.71km (04.79miles) | 5 | Approved | |||
| Hua Mak | 18.2km (11.3miles) | ||||||||
| Taling Chan to Salaya Section with two additional stations; Rama 6 and EGAT stations | February 2028 | Taling Chan | Salaya | 12.64km (07.85miles) | 6 | To be tendered | |||
| Taling Chan to Siriraj Section | Siriraj | 5.86km (03.64miles) | 3 | ||||||
| Hua Mak to Chachoengsao Section | TBA | Hua Mak | Chachoengsao | ≈40km (30miles) | 10 | Planning | |||
| Salaya to Nakhon Pathom Section | Salaya | Nakhon Pathom | ≈29km (18miles) | 6 | |||||
| Ractchaprarop to Mae Nam Section | Ratchaprarop | Mae Nam | ≈6km (04miles) | 3 | |||||
| Airport rail link | |||||||||
| Don Mueang–Suvarnabhumi–U-Tapao high-speed railway (Phaya Thai to Don Mueang section) | 2029 | Phaya Thai | Don Mueang | 20.31km (12.62miles) | 2 | Approved | State Railway of Thailand | ||
| Rapid Transit | |||||||||
| Lam Luk Ka Extension | TBA | Khu Khot | Eastern Ring Road Lam Luk Ka | 7.8km (04.8miles) | 4 | Postponed | Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand | ||
| Tamru Extension | Kheha | Tamru | 10.1km (06.3miles) | 4 | |||||
| Infill station between Ari and Saphan Khwai stations | Sena Ruam (N6) | - | 1 | Bangkok Metropolitan Administration | |||||
| Yot Se Extension | National Stadium | Yot Se | 1.2km (00.7miles) | 1 | Planning | ||||
| Taling Chan Extension | Bang Wa | Taling Chan | 7.94km (04.93miles) | 7 | |||||
| Taling Chan to Bang Rak Noi Thai It Section | Taling Chan | Bang Rak Noi Tha It | 8.6km (05.3miles) | 7 | |||||
| Putthamonthon Sai 4 Extension | Lak Song | Putthamonthon Sai 4 | 8.3km (05.2miles) | 4 | Postponed | Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand | |||
| MRT Purple Line Southern Section | March 2027 | Tao Poon | Kru Nai | 22.78km (14.15miles) | 17 | Under construction | |||
| MRT Orange Line Eastern Section | 2026 | Thailand Cultural Centre | Yaek Rom Klao | 21km (13miles) | 17 | ||||
| MRT Orange Line Western Section | 2029 | Bang Khun Non | Thailand Cultural Centre | 13.1km (08.1miles) | 11 | ||||
| Bang Khun Non to Taling Chan Section | TBA | Taling Chan | Bang Khun Non | 4.4km (02.7miles) | 1 | Approved | |||
| Light Rapid Transit | |||||||||
| Silver Line | Bang Na - Suvarnabhumi light rail project | TBA | Bang Na | Suvarnabhumi Airport South Terminal | ≈20km (10miles) | 14 | Postponed | Bangkok Metropolitan Administration(to be transferred to Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand) | |
| Monorail | |||||||||
| Impact Arena Spur Line | 2025 | Muang Thong Thani | Lake Muang Thong Thani | 2.65km (01.65miles) | 2 | Under construction | Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand | ||
| MRT Brown Line | 2028 | Nonthaburi Civic Centre | Yaek Lam Sali | 21km (13miles) | 20 | Approved | |||
| Ratchayothin Extension | TBA | Lat Phrao | Ratchayothin | 2.5km (01.6miles) | 2 | Shleved | |||
| Grey Line Northern Section | Thong Lo | Vatcharaphol | 16.25km (10.1miles) | 15 | Postponed | Bangkok Metropolitan Administration(to be transferred to Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand) | |||
| Grey Line Southern Section | Phra Khanong | Tha Phra | 20.2km (12.6miles) | 24 | |||||
| Khlong Si Extension | Vatcharaphol | Khlong Si | 10.87km (06.75miles) | 5 | Planning | ||||
| Light Blue Line project | Pracha Songkro | Chong Nonsi | 9.5km (05.9miles) | 9 | Planning | ||||
| People Mover | |||||||||
| Prachadhipok Extension | TBA | Khlong San | Prachadhipok | 1.2km (00.7miles) | 1 | Postponed | Bangkok Metropolitan Administration | ||
| Total | ≈491.67km (305.51miles) | 229 | |||||||
| 1000 Series |  Hitachi Rail | A-train | 6-car | 15 | Dark Red Line: 145km/hLight Red Line: 120km/h | ||||
| 2000 Series | 4-car | 10 | |||||||
| Class 360 |  Siemens | Desiro | 3-car | 5 | 145km/h | ||||
| 4-car | 4 | ||||||||
| A1 | Modular Metro | 35 | 80km/h | ||||||
| A2 | Siemens / Bozankaya | - | 22 | ||||||
| B1 | Bombardier Transportation / CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles | MOVIA | 12 | ||||||
| B2 | 5 | ||||||||
| B3 | CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles | - | 24 | ||||||
| IBL(Initial Blue Line) | Siemens | Modular Metro | 3-car | 19 | |||||
| BLE(Blue Line Extension) | - | 35 | |||||||
| TBA[17] | 21 | 2026 | |||||||
| 30 | |||||||||
| S24 | Japan Transport Engineering Company (J-TREC) | Sustina | 21 | ||||||
| Innovia Monorail 300 | Bombardier Transportation / CRRC Nanjing Puzhen | Innovia | 4-car | 30 | |||||
| 28 | |||||||||
| Innovia APM 300 | 2-car | 3 | |||||||