Mass Rapid Transit Master Plan in Bangkok Metropolitan Region

Bangkok Mass Rapid Transit System
Bangkok Mass Rapid Transit System
	Map as of Jan 2024
Overview
Owner	BMA; MRTA; SRT
Locale	Bangkok Metropolitan Region
Transit type	Commuter rail; • SRT ; • SRT ; Airport rail link; • ARL ; Rapid transit; • BTS ; • BTS ; • MRT ; • MRT ; • MRT (under construction); Light rail; • Silver Line (planned); Monorail; • MRT ; • MRT (planned); • MRT ; • MRL (planned); • MRL (planned); People Mover; • MRL
Number of lines	Current: 10 lines (Total planned: 15 lines)
Number of stations	190 out of planned 310
Daily ridership	1.68 million
Operation
Began operation	5 December 1999
Operator(s)	S.R.T. Electrified Train; • SRT ; • SRT ; Asia Era One; • ARL ; Bangkok Mass Transit System; • BTS ; • BTS ; • MRT ; • MRT ; • MRL ; Bangkok Expressway and Metro; • MRT ; • MRT ; • MRT (likely)
Technical
System length	261.47 km (162 mi)
Track gauge	MRT, BTS and Airport Rail Link: 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge; SRT Red Lines: 1,000 mm (3 ft 3+3⁄8 in) metre gauge
Electrification	MRT and BTS: 750 V DC third rail; ARL and SRT: 25 kV 50 Hz AC overhead catenary
Top speed	MRT and BTS: 80 km/h (50 mph); ARL and SRT: 160 km/h (99 mph)

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.

Early versions (Old plans)[edit]

Mass Rapid Transit Systems Master Plan (MTMP)[edit]

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 135 kilometres (84 mi) 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 103 kilometres (64 mi).^[2]

Urban Rail Transportation Master Plan in Bangkok and Surrounding Areas (URMAP)[edit]

Following the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis and the cancellation of the BERTS, a system totalling 375 kilometres (233 mi) to begin in 2001 was proposed, to be developed in three stages: 141.9 kilometres (88.2 mi) during 2001–11, 158.2 kilometres (98.3 mi) during 2012–21 and 75.3 kilometres (46.8 mi) from 2022 onwards.^[2]

Bangkok Mass Transit Master Plan (BMT)[edit]

Due to the slow progress of development following URMAP, a new plan was drafted consisting of 475.05 kilometres (295.18 mi) 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:

Light Green Line: North–south extension of the BTS to Khu Khot and Kheha Samut Prakan
Dark Green Line: West extension of the BTS to Yot Se
Blue Line: Extension of the MRT Blue Line to complete a quasi circle line with a branch to Lak Song
Purple Line: South extension to Rat Burana is under construction
Orange Line: Running east–west Min Buri to Bang Khun Non
SRT Dark Red Line: Running north–southwest from Rangsit to Krung Thep Aphiwat to Maha Chai
SRT Light Red Line: running east–west from Hua Mak to Sala Ya
Airport Rail Link: North extension to Don Mueang

M-Map development[edit]

Original M-Map (2010)[edit]

The first M-Map plan was endorsed by the Commission for the Management of Land Traffic in 2010.^[3] 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 555.74 kilometres (345.32 mi), were to be constructed within a development period of twenty years (2010–29). They were:^[4]

Primary lines
Rapid transit type	Line	Route
Heavy rail: Commuter	SRT Dark Red Line	Thammasat University – Rangsit – Krung Thep Aphiwat – Hua Lamphong – Bang Bon – Maha Chai
Heavy rail: Commuter	SRT Light Red Line	Sala Ya – Taling Chan – Hua Mak
Heavy rail: Metro	SRT Airport Rail Link	Suvarnabhumi – Phaya Thai – Krung Thep Aphiwat – Don Mueang
Heavy rail: Metro	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
Rapid transit type	Line	Route
Monorail	MRT Yellow Line	Lat Phrao – Samrong
	MRT Pink Line	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.^[5]

M-Map 2 (2017)[edit]

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).^[6] 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).^[7]

The initial project materials listed the following lines as part of the plan:^[8]

Primary lines
Rapid transit type	Line	Route
Heavy rail: Commuter	SRT Dark Red Line	Thammasat University – Rangsit – Krung Thep Aphiwat – Hua Lamphong – Bang Bon – Maha Chai
Heavy rail: Commuter	SRT Light Red Line	Sala Ya – Taling Chan – Hua Mak
Heavy rail: Commuter	SRT Airport Rail Link and extension	Suvarnabhumi – Phaya Thai – Krung Thep Aphiwat – Don Mueang
Heavy rail: Metro	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
	MRT Blue Line	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
Rapid transit type	Line	Route
Monorail	MRT Yellow Line	Phaholyothin 24 – Lat Phrao – Samrong
Monorail	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".^[9] The Department of Rail Transport, OTP's successor agency for rail transport planning, is in the process of completing M-Map 2.^[10] ^[11]

Lines outside of M-Map 2[edit]

As of 2022^[update], 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

Overview[edit]

Line Name	Commencement	Last extension	Next extension	Terminus		Length (km)	Stations	Track Gauge	Signalling	Power Supply	Owner	Operator(s)
Commuter rail
Dark Red Line	29 November 2021; 2 years ago (2021-11-29)	-	January 2028	Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal	Rangsit	22.5 km (14.0 mi)	10	1,000 mm (3 ft 3+3⁄8 in)	ETCS Level 1	25 kV AC 50 Hz, overhead line	State Railway of Thailand	S.R.T. Electrified Train
Light Red Line	29 November 2021; 2 years ago (2021-11-29)	-	February 2028	Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal	Taling Chan	14.93 km (9.28 mi)	4	1,000 mm (3 ft 3+3⁄8 in)	ETCS Level 1	25 kV AC 50 Hz, overhead line	State Railway of Thailand	S.R.T. Electrified Train
Airport rail link
Airport rail link	23 August 2010; 13 years ago (2010-08-23)	-	2027	Phaya Thai	Suvarnabhumi	28.17 km (17.50 mi)	8	1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in)	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
Sukhumvit Line	5 December 1999; 24 years ago (1999-12-05)	16 December 2020; 3 years ago (2020-12-16)	TBA	Khu Khot	Kheha	51.17 km (31.80 mi)	47	1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in)	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
Silom Line	5 December 1999; 24 years ago (1999-12-05)	8 February 2021; 3 years ago (2021-02-08)		National Stadium	Bang Wa	13.09 km (8.13 mi)	14				Bangkok Metropolitan Administration	Bangkok Mass Transit System
Blue Line	3 July 2004; 19 years ago (2004-07-03)	23 December 2019; 4 years ago (2019-12-23)		Tha Phra	Lak Song	46.91 km (29.15 mi)	38		Fixed-block Siemens LZB 700M ATC		Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand	Bangkok Expressway and Metro
Purple Line	6 August 2016; 7 years ago (2016-08-06)	-	March 2027	Khlong Bang Phai	Tao Poon	20.92 km (13.00 mi)	16		Moving-block Bombardier Cityflo 650 CBTC		Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand	Bangkok Expressway and Metro
Monorail
Pink Line	21 November 2023; 4 months ago (2023-11-21)	-	2025	Nonthaburi Civic Centre	Min Buri	33.9 km (21.1 mi)	30	-	Moving-block Bombardier Cityflo 650 CBTC	750 V DC, Third Rail	Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand	Bangkok Mass Transit System
Yellow Line	3 June 2023; 10 months ago (2023-06-03)	19 June 2023; 9 months ago (2023-06-19)	-	Lat Phrao	Samrong	28.62 km (17.78 mi)	23	-	Moving-block Bombardier Cityflo 650 CBTC	750 V DC, Third Rail	Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand	Bangkok Mass Transit System
People Mover
Gold Line	16 December 2020; 3 years ago (2020-12-16)	-	TBA	Krung Thon Buri	Khlong San	1.67 km (1.04 mi)	3	1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in)	Moving-block Bombardier Cityflo 650 CBTC	750 V DC, Third Rail	Bangkok Metropolitan Administration	Bangkok Mass Transit System

Future plans[edit]

Line Name	Name	Planned opening date	Terminus		Length (km)	Stations	Status	Owner
Commuter rail
Dark Red Line	Thammasart University (Rangsit Campus) to Ban Pachi Junction section	TBA	Thammasart University (Rangsit Campus)	Ban Pachi Junction	≈22 km (14 mi)	9	Planning	State Railway of Thailand
	Hua Lamphong to Mahachai section		Hua Lamphong	Mahachai	34.76 km (21.60 mi)	20
	Mahachai to Pak Tho section		Mahachai	Pak Tho	≈78 km (48 mi)	17
	Rangsit to Thammasart University (Rangsit Campus) section	January 2028	Rangsit	Thammasart University (Rangsit Campus)	10.3 km (6.4 mi)	4	To be tendered
	Missing Link section	TBA	Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal	Hua Lamphong	7.71 km (4.79 mi)	5	Approved
Light Red Line	Missing Link section	TBA	Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal	Hua Mak	18.2 km (11.3 mi)	5	Approved
	Taling Chan to Salaya section with two additional stations; Rama 6 and EGAT stations	February 2028	Taling Chan	Salaya	12.64 km (7.85 mi)	6	To be tendered
	Taling Chan to Siriraj section	February 2028	Taling Chan	Siriraj	5.86 km (3.64 mi)	3	To be tendered
	Hua Mak to Chachoengsao section	TBA	Hua Mak	Chachoengsao	≈40 km (25 mi)	10	Planning
	Salaya to Nakhon Pathom section		Salaya	Nakhon Pathom	≈29 km (18 mi)	6
	Ractchaprarop to Mae Nam section		Ratchaprarop	Mae Nam	≈6 km (3.7 mi)	3
Airport rail link
Airport Rail Link	Don Mueang–Suvarnabhumi–U-Tapao high-speed railway (Phaya Thai to Don Mueang section)	2029	Phaya Thai	Don Mueang	20.31 km (12.62 mi)	2	Approved	State Railway of Thailand
Rapid Transit
Sukhumvit Line	Khu Khot to Lam Luk Ka extension	TBA	Khu Khot	Eastern Ring Road Lam Luk Ka	7.8 km (4.8 mi)	4	Postponed	Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand
	Kheha to Tamru extension		Kheha	Tamru	10.1 km (6.3 mi)	5		Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand
	Infill station between Ari and Saphan Khwai stations		Sena Ruam		-	1		Bangkok Metropolitan Administration
Silom Line	National Stadium to Yot Se extension		National Stadium	Yot Se	1.2 km (0.75 mi)	1	Planning
Silom Line	Bang Wa to Taling Chan extension		Bang Wa	Taling Chan	7.94 km (4.93 mi)	7	Planning
Blue Line	Lak Song to Putthamonthon Sai 4 extension		Lak Song	Putthamonthon Sai 4	8.3 km (5.2 mi)	4	Postponed	Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand
Purple Line	MRT Purple Line Southern section	March 2027	Tao Poon	Kru Nai	22.78 km (14.15 mi)	17	Under construction
Orange Line	MRT Orange Line Eastern section	2026	Thailand Cultural Centre	Yaek Rom Klao	21 km (13 mi)	17	Under construction
	MRT Orange Line Western Section	2029	Bang Khun Non	Thailand Cultural Centre	13.1 km (8.1 mi)	11	To be retendered
	Bang Khun Non to Taling Chan section	TBA	Taling Chan	Bang Khun Non	4.4 km (2.7 mi)	1	Approved
Light Rapid Transit
Silver Line	Bang Na - Suvarnabhumi light rail project	TBA	Bang Na	Suvarnabhumi Airport South Terminal	≈20 km (12 mi)	14	Postponed	Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (to be transferred to Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand)
Monorail
Pink Line	Impact Arena Spur Line	2025	Muang Thong Thani	Lake Muang Thong Thani	2.65 km (1.65 mi)	2	Under construction	Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand
Brown Line	MRT Brown Line	2028	Nonthaburi Civic Centre	Yaek Lam Sali	21 km (13 mi)	20	Approved
Yellow Line	Ratchayothin extension	TBA	Lat Phrao	Ratchayothin	2.5 km (1.6 mi)	2	Shleved
Grey Line	Grey Line Northern section		Thong Lo	Vatcharaphol	16.25 km (10.10 mi)	15	Postponed	Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (to be transferred to Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand)
	Grey Line Southern section		Phra Khanong	Tha Phra	20.2 km (12.6 mi)	24	Postponed
	Khlong Si extension		Vatcharaphol	Khlong Si	10.87 km (6.75 mi)	5	Planning
Light Blue Line	Light Blue Line project		Pracha Songkro	Chong Nonsi	9.5 km (5.9 mi)	9	Planning
People Mover
Gold Line	Khlong San to Prachadhipok section	TBA	Khlong San	Prachadhipok	1.2 km (0.75 mi)	1	Postponed	Bangkok Metropolitan Administration

Notes[edit]

References[edit]

^ "นิวไฮ! 25 ส.ค. ฝนตก-ศุกร์สิ้นเดือน ผู้โดยสารระบบรางพุ่ง 1.75 ล้านคน".
^ ^a ^b เส้นทางปรับแผนรถไฟฟ้า. Mass Rapid Transit Master Plan in Bangkok Metropolitan Region website (in Thai). Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning. Archived from the original on 2 January 2011. Retrieved 16 January 2012.
^ Hoonsara, Samatcha; Jeerawan Prasomsap (9 February 2010). "Commission approves new Skytrain routes". The Nation. Archived from the original on 2011-02-21. Retrieved 16 January 2012.
^ แผนแม่บทระบบขนส่งมวลชนทางรางในเขตกรุงเทพฯและปริมณฑล พ.ศ.2553-2572 [Mass Rapid Transit Master Plan in Bangkok Metropolitan Region] (PDF) (in Thai). Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning. Retrieved 16 January 2012.
^ ความก้าวหน้าโครงการ. Mass Rapid Transit Master Plan in Bangkok Metropolitan Region website (in Thai). Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning. Archived from the original on 11 January 2012. Retrieved 16 January 2012.
^ ไทย-ญี่ปุ่น เร่งศึกษาแผนแม่บทรถไฟฟ้า. banmuang.co.th (in Thai). Retrieved 2017-08-12.
^ "Outline of the Project: Project for enhancing capacity of formulation of the Second Mass Rapid Transit Master Plan in Bangkok Metropolitan Region (M-MAP2)". Japan International Cooperation Agency. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
^ "Development of the 2nd Blueprint for Bangkok Mass Rapid Transit Master Plan (M-MAP2)" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2020-11-11.
^ "Data Collection Survey on the Development of Blueprint for the Second Mass Rapid Transit. Master Plan. (M-Map2) in The Kingdom of Thailand" (PDF). Japan International Cooperation Agency. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
^ "กรมรางฯลุยศึกษา 'M-MAP' ระยะที่ 2 เติมโครงข่ายรถไฟฟ้าครอบคลุมกรุงเทพฯ-ปริมณฑล". Thai Post. March 2022.
^ "แนะนำโครงการ-M-MAP" (PDF). Department of Rail Transport.

External links[edit]

[1] "นิวไฮ! 25 ส.ค. ฝนตก-ศุกร์สิ้นเดือน ผู้โดยสารระบบรางพุ่ง 1.75 ล้านคน".

[adjustplan-2] เส้นทางปรับแผนรถไฟฟ้า. Mass Rapid Transit Master Plan in Bangkok Metropolitan Region website (in Thai). Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning. Archived from the original on 2 January 2011. Retrieved 16 January 2012.

[3] Hoonsara, Samatcha; Jeerawan Prasomsap (9 February 2010). "Commission approves new Skytrain routes". The Nation. Archived from the original on 2011-02-21. Retrieved 16 January 2012.

[4] แผนแม่บทระบบขนส่งมวลชนทางรางในเขตกรุงเทพฯและปริมณฑล พ.ศ.2553-2572 [Mass Rapid Transit Master Plan in Bangkok Metropolitan Region] (PDF) (in Thai). Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning. Retrieved 16 January 2012.

[progress-5] ความก้าวหน้าโครงการ. Mass Rapid Transit Master Plan in Bangkok Metropolitan Region website (in Thai). Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning. Archived from the original on 11 January 2012. Retrieved 16 January 2012.

[6] ไทย-ญี่ปุ่น เร่งศึกษาแผนแม่บทรถไฟฟ้า. banmuang.co.th (in Thai). Retrieved 2017-08-12.

[7] "Outline of the Project: Project for enhancing capacity of formulation of the Second Mass Rapid Transit Master Plan in Bangkok Metropolitan Region (M-MAP2)". Japan International Cooperation Agency. Retrieved 12 October 2022.

[8] "Development of the 2nd Blueprint for Bangkok Mass Rapid Transit Master Plan (M-MAP2)" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2020-11-11.

[9] "Data Collection Survey on the Development of Blueprint for the Second Mass Rapid Transit. Master Plan. (M-Map2) in The Kingdom of Thailand" (PDF). Japan International Cooperation Agency. Retrieved 12 October 2022.

[10] "กรมรางฯลุยศึกษา 'M-MAP' ระยะที่ 2 เติมโครงข่ายรถไฟฟ้าครอบคลุมกรุงเทพฯ-ปริมณฑล". Thai Post. March 2022.

[11] "แนะนำโครงการ-M-MAP" (PDF). Department of Rail Transport.

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v t e Urban public transport networks and systems in Thailand
Transport in Thailand Rail transport in Thailand List of urban rail systems in Thailand Mass Rapid Transit Master Plan in Bangkok Metropolitan Region
High-speed rail	Eastern HSR Northeastern HSR Northern HSR Southern HSR
Commuter rail	Bangkok SRT Commuter SRT Red Lines ARL
Rapid transit	Bangkok BTS MRT
Monorail	Bangkok Pink Line and Yellow Line Hat Yai (planned) Pattaya (planned)
AGT, Light rail & Tram	Bangkok Gold Line Bangkok Tram (closed) Chiang Mai (planned) Khon Kaen (planned) Nakhon Ratchasima (planned) Phitsanulok (planned) Phuket (planned)
Bus rapid transit	Bangkok Bangkok BRT Chachoengsao (planned) Chonburi (planned) Rayong (planned) Si Racha (planned)

v t e Rail transport in Thailand
Rapid transit in Thailand High-speed rail in Thailand Rail transport in Bangkok
Major operators	Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) State Railway of Thailand (SRT) Bangkok Expressway and Metro (BEM) Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTSC)
Lines	Rapid transit lines Commuter and Inter-city lines High-speed lines
Lists	Rapid transit stations Commuter and Inter-city stations Bridges & viaducts Tunnels
Notable trains	Eastern and Oriental Express Nakhon Phing Express International Express Thaksin Express
Rolling Stock	Locomotives & Multiple Units ASR Siemens Desiro Siemens Modular Metro