Contracts Signed for Bangkok’s Pink and Yellow Monorail Lines :Thailand’s Mass Rapid Transit Authority (MRTA) signed contracts on 17 June 2017 for the construction of Bangkok’s Pink Line and Yellow Line monorail systems.

The Public Private Partnership Committee had approved the construction of Bangkok’s two new mass transit lines on 29 February 2016.

Bangkok Pink and Yellow Monorail Lines Approved

BSR, the entity awarded the contracts, is a Joint Venture between BTS Group Holding, Sino-Thai Engineering and Construction (STEC) and Ratchaburi Electricity Generating Holding.

Thai economist and Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak witnessed the signing of the contracts, implemented as planned under a Public Private Partnership (PPP) scheme.

Under the PPP arrangement the Thai government will be responsible for the acquisition of land and for providing funds for approximately 43% of the projected cost of the civil works, while BSR will be responsible for construction, will install machines and electricity, and will provide train Operation and Maintenance.

The contracts are split into two phases: the first for construction, lasting 39 months, the second for operation, lasting 30 years.

The 35.5 km long Pink Line will run between Khae Rai and Min Buri.

The 30.4 km long Yellow Line will run between Lat Phrao and Samrong.

BTS Group Holdings Founder and Chairman Keeree Kanjanapas stated that construction of the two monorail systems would begin shortly and that they would be in operation by 2020. “After we agree on the trains and all the land is surveyed we can begin the construction work, in this year.” BTS Group Holdings is the operator of Bangkok’s famous elevated Skytrain.

Mr. Kanjanapas also stated that a 2.8 km extension of the Pink Line and a 2.6 km extension of the Yellow Line are in the pipeline.

The BSR Joint Venture reportedly signed three other contracts on the day, all related to the two monorail projects:

• financial agreement to support loans from Bangkok Bank
• construction contract with Sino-Thai Engineering and Construction
• contract for mechanical and electrical systems with Bombardier
  
  Mr. Jatusripitak said that the government would soon open bidding for the Red Line from Salaya to Hua Mak, the western extension of the Orange Line from Taling Chan to Ratchada and the southern section of the Purple Line from Bang Yai to Ratburana. All utilizing the same PPP scheme.

Bangkok, the capital and most populous city of Thailand, is expected to become one of the world’s megacities with a population surpassing 11 million.

Writer: John Carlo Ottaviani