In the Bangkok metropolitan area, which is the political and economic center of Thailand, traffic congestion and air pollution caused by the automobile-dependent traffic system have become major problems due to the increased industrial activity following Thailand’s economic recovery after the Asian currency crisis, and efforts to reduce environmental impact are necessary.
As a countermeasure for such urban transportation, a mass transit system is planned for the Bangkok metropolitan area, and the Skytrain and the Blue Line, a subway line supported by a yen loan from Japan, are in operation. However, the Blue Line operates only in the center of Bangkok, and the distance of the line is short. Thus, the response to transportation demand is limited, and it is necessary to continue to promote a modal shift by improving the convenience of the urban rail network.
This cooperation will contribute to the development of the local economy and improvement of the urban environment by upgrading the mass transit system (Red Line: Bansu – Rangsit section) in central Bangkok to meet the increasing transportation demand, ease traffic congestion and improve air pollution.
© Source JICA