Colonel William A. Phillips

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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)

Mass Rapid Transit Systems Master Plan (MTMP)

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)

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)

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

Original M-Map (2010)

The M-Map details plans for additional rapid transit lines in Bangkok Metropolitan Region.

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
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)

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
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
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

As of 2022, 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

Overview as of November 2023 Distance (km) Metro lines
Current operations 276.84 km     Silom Line,     Sukhumvit Line,     Blue Line,     Yellow Line,     Pink Line,     Airport Rail Link,     Purple Line,     Gold Line,     SRT Dark Red Line,     SRT Light Red Line
Under construction 62.3  km     Orange Line eastern section (2025),     Purple Line southern ext (2027)
Future planning 233.9  km SRT Light Red Line exts, SRT Dark Red Line exts, Airport Rail Link ext, Orange Line western ext, Brown Line, BTS exts, BMA Grey Line
Total Planned 540 km

Current operations

Current operations of Metro System in Bangkok (as of November 2023)
Line Operator Route Length
km.
No. of
stations
Year
opened
Last
extension
    Silom Line BTS National Stadium – Bang Wa 14.0 14 1999 2021
    Sukhumvit Line BTS Khu Khot – Kheha 54.25 47 1999 2020
    Blue Line BEM Tha Phra – Bang Sue – Lak Song 48.0 38 2004 2020
    Yellow Line EBM Lat Phrao – Samrong 30.4 23 2023 2023
    Pink Line NBM Nonthaburi Civic Center – Min Buri 34.5 30 2023 2023
    Airport Rail Link SRT Phaya Thai – Suvarnabhumi 28.6 8 2010 2010
    Purple Line BEM Tao Poon – Khlong Bang Phai 23.0 16 2016 2017
    Gold Line BTS Krung Thonburi – Khlong San 1.8 3 2020 2020
    SRT Dark Red Line SRT Krung Thep Aphiwat – Rangsit 21.6 10 2021 2021
    SRT Light Red Line SRT Krung Thep Aphiwat – Taling Chan 15 4 2021 2021
Total 276.84 192

Under construction

Line Rapid transit type Owner: operator (if awarded) Stations Length

(km)

Route Under construction since Scheduled operation
    Orange Line Eastern section Heavy rail: Metro MRTA: BEM 17 22.5 Thailand Cultural Centre ↔ Yaek Romklao June 2017 2025[12]
    Purple Line Southern section MRTA 17 23.6 Tao Poon ↔ Kru Nai 2022 2027[13][14]
    Airport Rail Link (phase II) Heavy rail: Commuter SRT 5 171.9 U-Tapao Airport ↔ Suvarnabhumi October 2023[15] 2029
    Airport Rail Link (phase III) 1 7.8 Don MueangKrung Thep AphiwatPhaya Thai
Total (as of January 2024) 40 225.8

Future planning

Compilation of plans, proposals, under construction, and operational lines and stations.
Compilation of plans, proposals, under construction, and operational lines and stations.
Line Rapid transit type Owner Stations
to be added
Projected operation Length
km
Length
mile
Terminus
   Sukhumvit Line Heavy rail: Metro BMA 4 n/a 6.5 4.0 Khu KhotEastern Outer Ring
7 4.3 KhehaBang Pu
   Silom Line 6 7.50 4.66 Bang WaTaling Chan
1 1.0 0.62 National StadiumYot Se
   Blue Line western extension MRTA 4 8.0 5.0 Lak SongPhutthamonthon Sai 4
   Orange Line western extension 12 est. 2028[12] 17.5 10.9 Thailand Cultural CentreBang Khun Non
   SRT Dark Red Line (phase II) Heavy rail: Commuter SRT 5 est. 2028[16] 6.05 3.76 Krung Thep AphiwatHua Lamphong
   SRT Dark Red Line (phase III) 4 est. 2026[16] 8.75 5.44 Thammasat ↔ Rangsit
   SRT Dark Red Line (phase IV) 8 n/a 13.18 8.19 Hua Lamphong ↔ Bang Bon
   SRT Dark Red Line (phase V) 12 21.00 13.05 Bang Bon ↔ Maha Chai
   SRT Light Red Line (phase II) 6 est. 2028[16] 18.80 11.68 Krung Thep Aphiwat ↔ Hua Mak
   SRT Light Red Line (phase III) 6[a] est. 2026[16] 12.98 8.07 Taling ChanSala Ya Station
   SRT Light Red Line (phase III) 3 5.38 3.34 Taling ChanThonburi-Siriraj
   Grey Line Monorail BMA 21 n/a 26.0 16.2 Vatcharapol ↔ Rama 9 Bridge
   Silver Line Light Rail 14 24.0 14.9 Bang NaSuvarnabhumi
   Brown Line Monorail MRTA 21 22.0 13.7 Nonthaburi Civic CenterLam Sali
Total 133

Notes

  1. ^ Including Rama VI and Bang Kruai-EGAT infill stations.[16]

References

  1. ^ "นิวไฮ! 25 ส.ค. ฝนตก-ศุกร์สิ้นเดือน ผู้โดยสารระบบรางพุ่ง 1.75 ล้านคน".
  2. ^ 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.
  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.
  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.
  12. ^ a b ""BEM" ยันไม่กังวลประมูลสายสีส้ม พร้อมมาก "รฟม." เรียกคุยข้อเสนอ". Daily News Online. Archived from the original on 2022-09-14. Retrieved 14 September 2022.
  13. ^ "รฟม. ส่งมอบพื้นที่ชุดแรกสร้างรถไฟฟ้า "สีม่วงใต้" สัญญา 3-4 แล้ว". Daily News Online. Archived from the original on 2022-08-02. Retrieved 2 August 2022.
  14. ^ "อัพเดทแผนสร้างรถไฟฟ้า 5 เส้นทาง คืบหน้าถึงไหน-เปิดบริการเมื่อไร". ฐานเศรษฐกิจ. Archived from the original on 2022-10-08. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
  15. ^ "มั่นใจเริ่มสร้างไฮสปีดเชื่อม 3 สนามบินได้แน่ปีนี้". Daily News Online. Retrieved 25 May 2023.
  16. ^ a b c d e "เปิดไทม์ไลน์(ใหม่) "ส่วนต่อขยายรถไฟฟ้าสายสีแดง"". Facebook (in Thai). Retrieved 2021-12-27.

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