Mass transport hub planned for Thailand

Date: 15/11/2012

A large transport project planned for Thailand will need to involve a number of government agencies if it is to be completed by 2015, it has been suggested.

The Phahon Yothin Transport Complex would involve ten lines of mass transit systems and three high-speed rail routes, reports the Bangkok Post.

Dr Chula Sukmanop, Director General of the (OTP) Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning, said: "In the future, Bang Sue station will become a large terminal where many mass transit lines will meet. We plan to do a master plan for the centre to readjust the use of surrounding areas."

Bangkok's current Metro system will be an integral part of the plans to create a large scale network.

The Blue Line will connect to Hua Lamphong and Tha Pra, but a Purple Line will also come into force and split into two sections.

One will go between Bang Yai and Bang Sue and the second will take passengers from Bang Sue to Rat Burana.

Other lines will include the Dark Red Line between Bang Sue and Thammasat Rangsit, the Light Red Line between Bang Sue and Makkasan and Bang Sue to Taling Chan.

The Light Red Line will also extend the Airport Rail Link from Phaya Thai to Don Muang.

Three high-speed rail routes will go from Bangkok out of the city with trains capable of travelling at 250 kilometres per hour.

It is thought that the design for the network will be finished by the end of this year as the OTP plans its budget for 2014.

This will then be submitted to the State Railway of Thailand for approval with the project expected to be built over a period of five years.

Dr Chula said: "The government wants to complete the high-speed train as soon as possible to support the coming of the Asean Economic Community in 2015."

The Bang Sue Terminal will also be given an overhaul in order to make it more appealing to business passengers.

Posted by Nick Anderson

International Transport News and Sustainable Transport News