Orange Line Metro to Receive First Train Set in November Trial Runs Expected by Dec 2027, MRTA Reports

The Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) updated that the Orange Line metro’s eastern section is set to receive its first train set in November, with trial rides planned for December 2027. Meanwhile, the western section has progressed 38.50%, using the Pipe Roof technique to reduce traffic impact.

Update on the Orange Line western section shows 38.50% progress.

Mr. Kittikorn Tanpaow, Deputy Governor (Engineering and Construction) of the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) and director of the Orange Line metro project between Bang Khun Non and Min Buri (Suwinthawong), revealed the project’s progress for the western section from Bang Khun Non to the Thailand Cultural Centre as of the end of October 2026.The Orange Line metrowestern sectionhas reached 38.50% overall progress.This represents42.50% progress in civil worksand 7.89% progress in rail system installation. Currently, CH. Karnchang Public Company Limited, the contractor for Bangkok Expressway and Metro Public Company Limited (BEM), which is a project joint venture partner, is engaged in constructing diaphragm walls, installing temporary floor slabs, open-cut excavation, and building the metro stations.  Highlighting the use of the Pipe Roof technique to build Democracy Monument station to reduce traffic impact. During the construction of Democracy Monument station on Ratchadamnoen Klang Road, since the site lies within Rattanakosin Island, a historically significant conservation area in Bangkok, and on a major thoroughfare heavily used by the public, MRTA prioritized limiting site constraints, mitigating traffic disruptions, and ensuring the safety of surrounding structures. Therefore, the Pipe Roof construction method was adopted for the Democracy Monument station to minimize the need for open-cut excavation on the road surface, thereby reducing impact on commuters within Rattanakosin Island.

The Pipe Roof construction technique involves installing underground steel pipes that serve as a temporary roof supporting the soil and road above. This allows excavation and station construction beneath without fully opening the road surface, unlike traditional open-cut methods. This reduces traffic diversion areas, lessens travel disruption, and minimizes impact on nearby residents and businesses. Construction begins with diaphragm walls and site preparation along the designated line, followed by installing steel pipes approximately 9 meters and 7 meters long in two sections, connecting and pushing through the soil to the opposite diaphragm wall. Once the Pipe Roof structure is stable and meets engineering load requirements, excavation and underground station construction proceed sequentially.

Additionally,the Democracy Monument station construction site presents complex engineering challenges requiring expertise, such as the intersection with the Purple Line metro project between Tao Poon and Rat Burana (Kanchanaphisek Ring Road). The parallel twin tunnels of the Orange Line will tunnel through the gap between the upper and lower tunnels of the Purple Line at the intersection of Phra Sumen Road and Ratchadamnoen Klang Road near the end of Democracy Monument station. It also includes tunneling under the Chao Phraya River from Siriraj station to Sanam Luang station.  This will be the third metro tunnel crossing beneath the Chao Phraya River, about 200 meters long (equal to the river’s width), at approximately 30 meters below the water surface.

Throughout construction, MRTA strictly supervises contractors to comply with engineering standards and the Ministry of Transport’s highest safety policies. It also coordinates with relevant agencies to manage construction zones and traffic, mitigating disruption during construction.Eastern section of the Orange Line to receive first train set in November, aiming for trial rides by December 2027.For the eastern section from Thailand Cultural Centre to Min Buri (Suwinthawong), rail system progress is at 76.56%. BEM is currently manufacturing and assembling 32 train sets from Siemens Mobility Co., Ltd. overseas.

MRTA stated the first train set is scheduled for delivery in November and subsequent sets will be delivered to complete the first 16 trains for the eastern section by mid-2027 to begin system testing. The Ministry of Transport has ordered acceleration of all project aspects to enable public trial service as targeted in December 2027.The Orange Line metro between Bang Khun Non and Min Buri (Suwinthawong) spans 35.9 kilometers, connecting Bangkok’s eastern and western areas. The eastern section from Thailand Cultural Centre to Min Buri covers 22.5 kilometers with 17 stations (10 underground and 7 elevated). The western section from Bang Khun Non to Thailand Cultural Centre covers 13.4 kilometers with 11 underground stations.    Read more news on "  Government policy

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