Orange Line (Bangkok)

The MRT Orange Line (Thai: รถไฟฟ้ามหานคร สายสีส้ม) is a rapid transit lines of the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) in the Bangkok Metropolitan Area, Thailand.

MRT Orange Line รถไฟฟ้ามหานคร สายสีส้ม
8
Overview
Type	Rapid transit
System	MRT
Status	Under Construction (Eastern Section) Bidding and Tendering (Western Extension)
Locale	Bangkok, Thailand
Termini	Bang Khun Non Yaek Rom Klao
Stations	29 (overall) 17 (construction) 12 (planned)
Operation
Planned opening	early 2023 (Eastern section)
Owner	Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand
Technical
Line length	35.86 kilometers (22.28 mi)
Track length	22.57 kilometers (14.02 mi) (under construction) [1]
Track gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8 ^1⁄2 in) standard gauge
Electrification	Third rail
Operating speed	80 km/h (50 mph)
Route map Taling Chan  SRT  Bang Khun Non  MRT  Siriraj Chao Phraya River Sanam Luang Democracy Monument  MRT  Lan Luang Yommarat  SRT  Ban Tad Thong Ratchathewi  BTS  Pratunam Ratchaprarop  ARL  Rang Nam Din Daeng Pracha Songkhro  MRL  Thailand Cultural Centre  MRT  MRTA Wat Phra Ram 9 Ramkhamhaeng 12  MRL  Ramkhamhaeng University Rajamangala Ramkhamhaeng 34 Yaek Lam Sali  MRL  Si Burapha Khlong Ban Ma Sammakon Nom Klao Rat Pattana Wat Bang Pheng Keha Ramkhamhaeng Min Buri  MRL  Yaek Rom Klao

This Line is divided into two sections; the Eastern section from Suwinthawong - Thailand Cultural Centre (22.5km) and the 2nd phase Western section from Thailand Cultural Centre - Bang Khun Non (17.5 km). Construction of the 22.5km Eastern Section started in June 2017 and the line is scheduled to open in early 2023.[2] On 3 July 2020, the MRTA released the tender for the design and construction of the Western extension. [3]

When fully completed, the MRT Orange line will be 35.9 km long with 29 stations (7 stations will be elevated for 8.9 km and 22 will be underground for 27 km), including an interchange with the current Thailand Cultural Centre Station of MRT Blue Line).

At the end of July 2020, construction had progressed to 66.06%[4]

History

The original plan of the Orange Line aimed to serve travel demand between the northwestern area of Thonburi, at Bang Bamru Railway Station in Bang Phlat District, and the east of Bangkok in Bang Kapi District. It was planned to run along Ramkhamhaeng Road and Ratchawithi Road, passing many public places like Hua Mak Stadium, Dusit Zoo and Victory Monument, and provide access to universities including Ramkhamhaeng University, Suan Sunandha and Suan Dusit Rajabhat University and many government offices.

In 2009, the proposed MRT Brown line from Bang Kapi District, elevated along Ram Khamhaeng Road, to the eastern suburb in Saphan Sung District and Min Buri District, was merged with the Orange Line in Bangkok's mass rapid transit master plan.[5] In July 2011, the section from Bang Khun Non to Taling Chan was finally scrapped in favour of the SRT Light Red line spur line which duplicates the same route.[6] In 2012, there were further notable changes made to the central and western sections of the Orange Line. The section from Din Daeng District to Bang Bamru was rerouted away from Victory Monument to Pratunam, Petchaburi Road and Larn Luang Road, then under Ratchadamnoen Klang Road and terminating at Bang Khun Non to interchange with the MRT Blue Line extension.[6]

The Orange line was originally planned to be tendered by the end of 2013. However, due to protests by residents regarding station footprint and compulsory land acquisition around stations at Pratunam, Ratchaprarop, Pracha Songkhro and Soesim stations the MRTA needed another 12 months to redesign sections of the line.[7] Subsequently, political protests against the Thai government led to the metro transport funding bill lapsing when parliament was dissolved in December 2013. On 9 December 2015, Cabinet finally approved the Orange Line.

Alignment

The Orange Line starts at Suwinthawong rd in Min Buri District in Bangkok's eastern suburbs as an elevated line running along Ramkhamhaeng Road. It will interchange with the future MRT Yellow Line at Lam Sali station. It then proceeds underground near Lam Sali intersection in Bang Kapi District, where there will be a transfer to the MRT Yellow Line. It continues southwest along Ramkhamhaeng Road, passing Hua Mak Stadium and Ramkhamhaeng University to Rama IX rd intersection. The line then proceeds west along Rama IX rd and crosses Pradit Manutham Road to the current Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) Headquarters and MRT Blue line depot. Then it routes north to the Thailand Cultural Centre Station to interchange with the MRT Blue Line.

For the western section of the Orange Line, it runs west from Thailand Cultural Centre Station via Din Daeng housing estates and Bangkok City Hall 2 to Vibhavadi Rangsit Road, Sam Liam Din Daeng Junction. Then turns left into Ratchaprarop Road towards Pratu Nam and turns right into Phetchaburi Road then interchanges with BTS Sukhumvit Line at Ratchathewi Station. It continues along Lan Luang Road and Ratchadamnoen Avenue, then crosses the Chao Phraya River near Phra Pinklao Bridge, passes Siriraj Hospital and goes along Bangkok Noi Rail line and terminates at Bang Khun Non at Charan Sanitwong rd, where it interchanges with the MRT Blue Line.

Progress

On 19 April 2016, the Cabinet further approved a budget of 82.9 billion baht for Phase 1 East section to build 17 stations and 21.2 km of rail from the Thailand Cultural Centre to Minburi, of which 12.2 km will be underground and 9 km will be elevated.[8] Construction contracts were signed on 9 February 2017 between the MRTA and CKST Joint Venture consortium.[9] Construction finally started in June 2017 with a 1980 day construction period with a scheduled opening in October 2022.[10] Project construction is divided into 4 contracts.

As of 31 December 2017, the progress of civil works construction was at 4.66% according to the MRTA. [11] As of July 2018, overall construction progress is at 13.57%. As of August 2018, overall construction progress is at 16.21%.[12] By 30 September 2018, overall construction had progressed to 18.33% [13] At the end of March 2019, construction has progressed to 32.12%[14] At the end of July 2019, civil construction was at 42.27%[15] At the end of October 2019, construction has progressed to 49.05%[16] At the end of January 2020, construction had progressed to 54.93%[17]. By the end of May 2020, construction had progressed to 62.42%[18] At the end of July 2020, construction had progressed to 66.06%[19]

The eastern section has a planned opening date of early 2023.

Construction contracts

Construction is divided into four separate contracts.

Contract 1 is for 6.29km underground and 4 underground stations from Thai Cultural Centre interchange station to Rankhamhaeng 12 station.

Contract 2 is for 3.44km underground and 4 underground stations from Ramkhamheang 12 station to Hua Mark station.

Contract 3 is for 4.04km underground and 3 underground stations from Hua Mark station to Klong Ban Ma station.

Contract 4 is 8.8km and 7 elevated stations from Klong Ban Ma to Suwinthawong terminus station.[20]

Contract	Notes	Kilometre	Progress (31 July 2020)
1	Thailand Cultural Centre to Ramkhamhaeng 12 (4 stations)	6.29	76.59%
2	Ramkhamhaeng 12 to Hua Mark (4 stations)	3.44	61.47%
3	Hua Mark to Klong Ban Ma (3 stations)	4.04	64.16%
4	Klong Ban Ma to Suwinthawong (7 stations)	8.8	56.94%
5	Rolling stock		67.35%
6	Signalling and Electrical		66.52%

Phase 2 Western Extension

The Phase 2 Western extension of the Orange line will run from Thailand Cultural Centre to Bang Khun Non via Pratunam. The 17.5km western section will run underground with 12 stations.

The Thai Cabinet was expected to approve the 121 billion baht budget for the Western extension in mid 2017 with a tender due for the 2nd half of 2017.[21] However, this decision was delayed until 2018 as Cabinet requested options to be considered for a joint public and private investment proposal.[22] There were further delays into 2019, but the MRTA finalised a joint PPP plan for Cabinet to approve in mid 2019. [23] On 28 January 2020, the Cabinet approved the 142 billion baht extension. It is expected to open in 2026 and serve 439,000 passengers daily. [24]

On 3 July 2020, the MRTA released the tender for the design, construction and operation of the Western extension as a Public-Private Partnership project on a 30 year lease. [25] The tender closes on 23 September 2020 with the successful bidder expected to be announced in early October 2020. The tender specifies a construction period of 3 and a half years.

Stations

In the table below, an italicised name indicates that the station is not yet in operation.

Code	Station Name	Thai	Interchange	Notes
Thailand Cultural Centre - Suwinthawong (Construction underway)
OR29	Yaek Rom Klao	แยกร่มเกล้า
OR28	Min Buri	มีนบุรี	MRL  (under construction)
OR27	Kheha Ramkhamhaeng	เคหะรามคำแหง
OR26	Wat Bang Pheng	วัดบางเพ็ง
OR25	Rat Phatthana	ราษฎร์พัฒนา
OR24	Nom Klao	น้อมเกล้า
OR23	Sammakon	สัมมากร
OR22	Khlong Ban Ma	คลองบ้านม้า		Park & Ride service
OR21	Sri Burapha	ศรีบูรพา
OR20	Yaek Lam Sali	แยกลำสาลี	MRL  (under construction)  MRT  (design phase)
OR19	Ramkhamhaeng 34	รามคำแหง 34
OR18	Rajamangala	ราชมังคลา
OR17	Ramkhamhaeng University	มหาวิทยาลัยรามคำแหง
OR16	Ramkhamhaeng 12	รามคำแหง 12
OR15	Wat Phra Ram 9	วัดพระราม 9	MRL  (proposed)
OR14	MRTA	รฟม.		Depot
OR13	Thailand Cultural Centre	ศูนย์วัฒนธรรมแห่งประเทศไทย	MRT	Park & Ride service
Bang Khun Non - Thailand Cultural Centre (Western Extension)
OR12	Pracha Songkhro	ประชาสงเคราะห์	MRL  (planned)
OR11	Din Daeng	ดินแดง
OR10	Rang Nam	รางน้ำ
OR9	Ratchaprarop	ราชปรารภ	ARL  (design phase)
OR8	Pratunam	ประตูน้ำ
OR7	Ratchathewi	ราชเทวี	BTS : Ratchathewi Station
OR6	Yommarat	ยมราช	SRT  (Proposed)
OR5	Lan Luang	หลานหลวง
OR4	Democracy Monument	อนุสาวรีย์ประชาธิปไตย	MRT  extension (approved)
OR3	Sanam Luang	สนามหลวง
OR2	Siriraj	ศิริราช	SRT  (Proposed)
OR1	Bang Khun Non	บางขุนนนท์	MRT   SRT  (Proposed)

See also

• Mass Rapid Transit Master Plan in Bangkok Metropolitan Region
• Bangkok Metro
• MRT Blue Line
• MRT Brown Line
• MRT Grey Line
• MRT Light Blue Line
• MRT Pink Line
• MRT Purple Line
• MRT Yellow Line
• BTS Skytrain
• Sukhumvit Line
• Silom Line
• Airport Rail Link (Bangkok)
• SRT Light Red Line
• SRT Dark Red Line
• Bangkok BRT
• BMA Gold Line

References

1. "Six contracts signed for construction of B79.2bn Orange Line". Bangkok Post. 9 February 2017.
2. "Six contracts signed for construction of B79.2bn Orange Line". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 2017-02-12.
3. "MRT Orange Line extension tender". MRTA Website. 3 July 2020.
4. https://www.facebook.com/MRTA.PR/photos/pcb.2574152359468149/2574151689468216 MRTA Press, 5 August 2020
5. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2010-06-11. Retrieved 2010-03-17.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
6. http://www.manager.co.th/Business/ViewNews.aspx?NewsID=9540000082642
7. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2014-03-20. Retrieved 2014-03-20.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
8. http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/939669/orange-line-wins-cabinet-approval
9. http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/construction-orange-line-contracts-signed. Thai PBS, 9 February 2017
10. http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/transport/1287118/lane-closures-for-orange-line-start-in-ramkhamhaeng. Bangkok Post, 14 July 2017
11. https://www.mrta.co.th/th/news/information/ความก-าวหน-าการก-อสร-างรถไฟฟ-า-ณ-31-ธ-นวาคม-2560/. MRTA Press, 16 January 2018
12. "MRT Orange Line Construction progress". Retrieved 2018-09-11.
13. https://www.facebook.com/MRTA.PR/photos/a.1433440196872710/2109998672550189/. MRTA Press, 12 October 2018
14. https://www.facebook.com/MRTA.PR/photos/a.1433440196872710/2214355752114480 MRTA Press, 12 April 2019
15. https://www.facebook.com/MRTOrangeLineEast/photos/pcb.642832046196150/642831682862853 MRTA Press, 9 August 2019
16. https://www.facebook.com/MRTOrangeLineEast/photos/pcb.642832046196150/642831682862853 MRTA Press, 10 November 2019
17. https://www.facebook.com/MRTA.PR/photos/a.1409211292628934/2436659376550782 MRTA Press, 7 February 2020
18. https://www.facebook.com/MRTOrangeLineEast/photos/pcb.868116043667748/868111270334892 MRTA Press, 5 June 2020
19. https://www.facebook.com/MRTA.PR/photos/pcb.2574152359468149/2574151689468216 MRTA Press, 5 August 2020
20. http://thailand.ahk.de/fileadmin/ahk_thailand/Business/biddingannouncements/MRTA.pdf. MRTA Tender Invitation, 29 June 2016
21. "B385bn Rail Projects expected to go ahead". Bangkok Post. 26 May 2017.
22. "Ministry mulls Orange Line cost transfer". Bangkok Post. 15 August 2017.
23. "B230bn for Orange Line". Bangkok Post. 7 May 2019.
24. "MRT extension approved". Bangkok Post. 29 January 2020.
25. "MRT Orange Line extension tender". MRTA Website. 3 July 2020.

External links

• "Orange Line: Bang Kapi-Bang Bamru Section", MRTA Project.
• Airport Rail Link, BTS, MRT & BRT network map