A heated debate has unfolded among rail enthusiasts in Thailand following a recent decision by the Land Traffic System Committee (LTSC), led by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, Mr. Surayut Chuenruengruangkit. The committee approved a revision of the Red Line suburban railway project. Originally planned to run from Hua Lamphong to Mahachai over a distance of 36 kilometers with an investment of 53,064 million baht, the new plan alters the route to cover 33 kilometers from Wongwian Yai to Mahachai, with a revised budget of 48,129 million baht.
The decision has sparked criticism, particularly regarding the disconnection it may cause in the rail network and the failure to address key issues in the original route. Critics also questioned why the route couldn’t be extended from Bang Sue to Hua Lamphong and why it isn’t being built as a tunnel under the Chao Phraya River. Concerns about inconvenience to commuters have further fueled the debate.
According to reports, the decision to change the route does not mean the Hua Lamphong to Wongwian Yai section will be abandoned altogether. Due to ongoing challenges in this section, which have persisted for 14 years, the Ministry of Transport proposed focusing on the Wongwian Yai to Mahachai stretch, which does not face such obstacles. This adjustment was made to allow progress on the project.
The Hua Lamphong to Wongwian Yai section remains problematic, primarily due to rising land acquisition costs. The economic landscape has shifted, leading to higher population densities in areas along the route. This would result in significant land expropriation, affecting thousands of households. Moreover, environmental impact assessments for the proposed Chao Phraya River bridge have yet to be approved. Without these changes, it’s likely that the project would not proceed.
For the Hua Lamphong to Wongwian Yai section, the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) is considering constructing a tunnel beneath the Chao Phraya River instead of a bridge. This new design would require updated plans and a fresh environmental impact report, potentially delaying progress further. Given these complexities, the Wongwian Yai to Mahachai section is being prioritized for now.
The Wongwian Yai to Mahachai segment is expected to be well integrated into the existing Bangkok metropolitan rail system. It will connect seamlessly with the purple line’s southern section and the green line at Wongwian Yai station, providing commuters easy access to both the city center and surrounding areas.
Additionally, the SRT is revisiting the project’s feasibility studies, design details, and environmental reports. The agency has hired a consortium led by Tesco Co., Ltd. and other contractors to review and finalize these aspects, with the goal of ensuring the project’s financial viability. The review is set to be completed within 450 days.
