Thailand Plans 15 Transport Projects Worth 438 Billion Baht

BANGKOK — As of mid-June 2025, Thailand’s Ministry of Transport is pushing forward a group of 15 major infrastructure projects worth over 438 billion baht, aiming to improve national transportation and logistics. Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit revealed that four of these projects are currently awaiting inclusion on the Cabinet’s meeting agenda for consideration, while the remaining eleven are still undergoing consultation with relevant agencies.

The four projects ready for Cabinet review include:

1. Phuket Expressway Phase 1 (Kathu–Patong), covering 3.98 kilometers, with a proposed budget of 16.76 billion baht.
2. Acquisition of 1,520 electric air-conditioned buses under a leasing scheme, valued at 15.36 billion baht.
3. Extension of the Red Line suburban railway system (Salaya–Taling Chan–Siriraj), including three new stations: Rama VI Bridge, Bang Kruai-EGAT, and Ban Chim Phli, with a total distance of 20.5 kilometers and a budget of 15.18 billion baht. This project is expected to be on the Cabinet’s agenda by 17 June 2025.
4. Procurement of 946 container flat wagons, to be assembled domestically using a mix of local and imported parts, with an estimated cost of 2.46 billion baht.

Meanwhile, eleven other projects are undergoing inter-agency reviews before they are submitted to the Cabinet. These include:

• Expressway project (Chalong Rat–Outer Ring Road, Northern Section Phase 1), stretching 11.3 kilometers with a budget of 16.96 billion baht.
• Motorway project (Bang Bua Thong–Bang Pa-In, M9), 35 kilometers long, with an allocation of 15.86 billion baht.
• Phase 2 of the dual-track railway network, covering six routes totaling 1,310.84 kilometers, with a combined value of 297.93 billion baht:
  • Pak Nam Pho–Den Chai
  • Chira Junction–Ubon Ratchathani
  • Chumphon–Surat Thani
  • Surat Thani–Hat Yai Junction–Songkhla
  • Hat Yai Junction–Padang Besar
  • Den Chai–Chiang Mai

Additionally, there are proposed rail vehicle procurement plans:

• New air-conditioned diesel railcars for commercial use: 184 units with spare parts, valued at 24.15 billion baht.
• Replacement coaches for express and special express services: 182 units and spare parts, with a budget of 10.5 billion baht.
• Diesel-electric locomotives with 20-ton axle loads: 113 units and spare parts, estimated at 23.73 billion baht.

The Ministry of Transport is coordinating with relevant agencies to finalize project evaluations. Minister Suriya emphasized the importance of these projects for national development, noting that they aim to support Thailand’s growing logistics needs and regional connectivity.