PM launches monorail construction

BANGKOK, Aug 27 (TNA) – Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha has launched the construction of the country’s first two monorail lines, which is expected to start operation in 2021. The two lines are the 30-km Yellow Line, running from Lat Phrao to Samrong and the 34 -km Pink Line from Khae Rai to Min Buri. The Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand handed over the construction site to the concessionaire to start construction. Compared to the heavy rail system, the monorail train is lightweight and save the construction cost. With less passenger capacity, the monorail is cost-effective to be the transportation mode on secondary routes to connect the main rail transit system. When the construction is completed, the Yellow Line is expected to serve 220,000 passengers per day and the Pink Line will serve 120,000 commuters per day. The monorail project under Public-Private Partnership is part of the first –phase Master Plan to develop the rail mass transit in Bangkok and surrounding provinces. (TNA)