Accelerating the bidding process for four railway lines by the MRTA (Mass Rapid Transit Authority)
The Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) is pushing forward with four electric rail projects, aiming to improve connectivity and access across the city. The projects, worth over 128 billion baht, include the Brown Line, Grey Line, Light Blue Line, and Silver Line.
The Light Blue Line, with a budget of 14.73 billion baht and spanning 6.7 km with nine stations, is one of the four projects being developed by the MRTA. Unlike the Brown Line project, which is currently under review, the Light Blue Line is not facing a review at the moment.
The Grey Line, a 16.25 km route with 15 stations, and the Silver Line, a 18.30 km route with 14 stops, are also under MRTA oversight. These three lines, transferred from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), have already seen some design work commence. The Blue Line, likely referring to the Light Blue Line, is projected for handover by mid-2025.
The feasibility studies for these routes are being adjusted due to ongoing challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic impacts and fare setting. The MRTA plans to study the Light Blue Line once the other two lines (Grey Line and Silver Line) make a start.
The Brown Line, stretching 22 kilometres with 20 stations, will be the first of the four routes to be developed. However, the project is under review due to the government's 20-baht flat fare policy and the redesign of the N2 section of the third-stage expressway. Mr Gardphajon, an MRTA official, insists that all new electric train routes will join the 20-baht flat rate scheme.
The BMA confirmed its decision to transfer its three new electric rail projects (Light Blue Line, Grey Line, and Silver Line) to the government in February last year, stating that it would be more suitable for the projects to be developed and operated by the Transport Ministry. The BMA did not undertake any work on the Light Blue Line.
As of August 2025, these projects are at different stages of design, review, and preparation. No specific firm timelines for environmental impact assessments, bidding, or full implementation have been explicitly announced for all lines collectively. The Transport Ministry is involved in overseeing the readiness of electric train fleets, fare policies, and integration with feeder services.
The MRTA is actively preparing for these projects, but the process appears ongoing and subject to adjustments. The authority is accelerating bidding for these projects, with the study for the Brown Line project expected to be completed this year and submitted to the cabinet for approval early next year, followed by bidding for the project later next year.
[1] Source: MRTA Official Website [2] Source: Bangkok Post [3] Source: Nation Thailand [4] Source: The Nation [5] Source: The Bangkok Post - MRTA to speed up bidding for four electric rail projects worth more than 128 billion baht
- The upcoming Light Blue Line, a project supervised by the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA), is not under review, contrary to the Brown Line project's current status.
- Although the Silver Line and the Grey Line have seen design work commence, the MRTA plans to study the Light Blue Line once the other two lines start their implementation.
){kind=link}