The Cabinet has approved the Ministry of Transport's 2027 budget exceeding 45 billion baht to proceed with 19 major projects. The Department of Highways will build new motorways, while the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) plans to lease 800 electric buses to replace over 30-year-old air-conditioned diesel buses. Meanwhile, the Transport Company Limited (TC) is preparing to revamp the Mo Chit 2 Bus Terminal with a budget of 3.5 billion baht.
Mr. Siripong Angkasakulkiat, Deputy Minister of Transport, revealed that during the Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul today (28 Apr 2026), approval was given for the Ministry of Transport's fiscal year 2027 budget for projects with funding of 1 billion baht or more. There are 19 projects covering four agencies: the Department of Highways (DOH), the Department of Rural Roads (DRR), the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA), and the Transport Company Limited (TC). The projects, scheduled from 2027 to 2034, total 45,000.55 million baht, with 6,465.1 million baht requested for allocation in 2027. These projects are ready to start and align with the 20-year National Strategy, the master plan under the National Strategy, the 20-year Transport Development Strategy, and the 13th National Economic and Social Development Plan.
Regarding road network development, the Department of Highways (DOH) has proposed the most projects, totaling 14 with a combined budget of 27.86 billion baht. Highlight projects include:
constructing a new route connecting Motorway No. 6 with Highway No. 32 in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province,
building a new section of Motorway No. 9 linking the outer ring road of Bangkok in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province,
constructing an interchange at the junction of Highway No. 230 and 2131 (Ban Sa-at intersection, Khon Kaen Province),
and constructing Highway No. 42, section Ban Ton Non to Ban Khuan Mak, in Songkhla Province.
As for the Department of Rural Roads (DRR), it has proposed 3 projects with a total budget of 5.4988 billion baht, all ready for implementation. These include the road linking Highway No. 34 (Km 26) with Rural Road Chach. 3001 in Samut Prakan Province (phases 2 and 3), the road connecting Rural Road Chm. 3029 to Highway No. 1006 in Mueang and San Kamphaeng districts of Chiang Mai Province (phases 4 and 5), and the construction of road J13 within the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) development plan area in Chonburi Province (phases 1 and 2).
Regarding public transport development, the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) plans to proceed with leasing 800 electric air-conditioned buses totaling 8.13991 billion baht over 7 years to replace aging diesel buses that have been in service for over 30 years. The lease covers rental, maintenance, and charging systems, which will enhance services on 107 routes and significantly reduce PM 2.5 air pollution.
Meanwhile, the Transport Company Limited (TC) is preparing to build and renovate the Bangkok Passenger Terminal (Chatuchak), known as Mo Chit 2 Bus Terminal, with a budget of 3.50563 billion baht. The upgrade aims to meet international bus terminal standards, improving modernity, safety, and seamless integration with public transport systems. Currently, the project is awaiting final feedback from relevant economic agencies.
Mr. Siripong added that although requesting budgets over 1 billion baht may seem contradictory to Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s policy to prioritize maintenance of existing routes over expansion, these budget proposals follow the standard budget request process and were planned in advance. The Ministry of Transport intends to proceed only with necessary or ongoing projects to ensure complete and beneficial travel routes for the public. Furthermore, budget reductions will occur at the Budget Bureau stage, as the Ministry typically submits requests exceeding the actual allocation. Projects approved by the Cabinet may also be cut as deemed appropriate.
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