Phiphat is pushing forward negotiations with BTS and BEM to transfer the Green and Blue Line electric trains to state ownership, aiming to implement a 40-baht all-day unified ticket as a gift by early 2027. He emphasized no state budget will be used and no public debt will increase. He also ordered the acceleration of construction for three new lines—Gray, Silver, and Blue. Meanwhile, the MRTA has prepared plans to build the Brown Line from Khae Rai to Lam Sali, ready to seek approval by the end of 2026.
Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Minister of Transport, revealed after giving policy direction to the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) that the Ministry will expedite the policy to centralize the management of electric trains under a unified system, orSingle Ownership.This is to place management responsibility solely with the MRTA to advance the 40-baht all-day unified ticket project. The Ministry of Transport will negotiate with Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) to transfer the Green Line trains to MRTA. At the same time, the Ministry will negotiate with Bangkok Mass Transit System Public Company Limited (BTSC), the Green Line concessionaire, and Bangkok Expressway and Metro Public Company Limited (BEM), the Blue Line concessionaire.Blue Line electric train.The negotiations aim to have both companies join the government's cost-of-living reduction initiative under the 40-baht unified ticket policy. The government will not use budget funds. The goal is to implement the 40-baht all-day fare across all lines and colors by early 2027.
Additionally, regarding the construction of three new secondary electric train lines designed to connect existing routes and other mass transit systems—the Gray Line from Watcharaphon to Thonglor, the Silver Line from Bang Na to Suvarnabhumi Airport (southern direction), and the Blue Line from Din Daeng to Sathorn—he confirmed construction will definitely start within this government term.Previously, the Brown Line from Khae Rai to Lam Sali faced physical challenges requiring route adjustments because it overlaps with the N2 Expressway. At Kasetsart University, there were still issues.Kanphajon.
Udomthamphakdi, Governor of the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA), said regarding the new line construction that the three lines transferred from BMA—the Gray, Silver, and Blue lines—will be re-studied because prior studies are outdated.Route adjustments will be made to connect with existing rail transit and other mass transit systems.These are expected to be presented to the MRTA board in 2027. The Brown Line is the most ready for construction and is expected to be proposed to the MRTA board in 2026.Although the Brown Line is currently revising two construction points: first, the overlap with the Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT) project near Huamum Market, where EXAT plans an expressway connecting east-west road networks (Ngamwongwan Road to Prasert-Manukit Road); second, the Kaset intersection. Preliminary studies recommend private investment participation.
The design revisions will take about six months due to the need to review overall project details, update feasibility studies, and revise investment formats. Changes in construction design affect project costs and financial structures, and need to align with EXAT's design changes. Previously, MRTA planned to submit to the Cabinet by late 2025 but delayed due to design adjustments and coordination with related agencies.
Kanphajon.
He added progress on the Silver Line project is currently under study and construction plan review to enable connection to Suvarnabhumi Airport, including a new Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) since over five years have passed. The study is expected to start in 2-3 months and last about one year.The Gray Line (monorail) is being re-studied to update project details appropriately for current conditions, while the Blue Line monorail from Din Daeng to Sathorn is expected to begin study after 2029, following priorities in the M-MAP2 plan.For regional mass transit in three provinces: 1. The light rail (tram) project in Phuket has a policy to have the Department of Highways expedite improvements to Highway 4027 to ease traffic during tram construction, expected to be proposed to the Cabinet by late 2026 or early 2027, with service opening planned for 2032.
2. The Chiang Mai tram project has completed extension studies toward Suan Rajapruek and held two public hearings, with service expected to open by 2032 as planned. 3. The Nakhon Ratchasima tram project has rerouted about 30-40% from the original Green Line plan to an Orange Line, expected to open by 2032. Initially, Chiang Mai and Nakhon Ratchasima tram projects are expected to proceed first.Kanphajon also spoke about the Purple Line South (from Tao Poon to Rat Burana (Kanchanaphisek)),saying MRTA expects within 1-2 months to submit the project feasibility study under the 2019 Public-Private Partnership Act to the MRTA board for consideration.
MRTA maintains its conclusion that continuous operation along the same route using a PPP Gross Cost model—where a private contractor operates the train, similar to the Purple Line North from Tao Poon to Bang Yai—is the most suitable for the Purple Line South.This will provide convenience for passengers connecting between the Purple Line North and South. If approved, negotiations with the Purple Line North operator will proceed. The Cabinet is expected to approve this by late 2026, no later than early 2027, with the operator selected in 2027 and service starting in 2030.
Initially, existing Purple Line North trains, totaling 21 sets, will be used temporarily if new trains are not ready by 2030.
Read more about the government policy.Additional details.