Orange Line (Bangkok)

The MRT Orange Line (Thai: รถไฟฟ้ามหานคร สายสีส้ม) is a rapid transit line of the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) in the Bangkok Metropolitan Area, Thailand. When fully completed, the MRT Orange line will be 35.9 km (22.3 mi) long with 29 stations (7 stations will be elevated for 8.9 km (5.5 mi) and 22 will be underground for 27 km (16.8 mi)), including an interchange with the current Thailand Cultural Centre Station of MRT Blue Line).

MRT Orange Line รถไฟฟ้ามหานคร สายสีส้ม
Overview
Status	Under Construction (Eastern Section) Tendered (Western Extension)
Owner	Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand
Locale	Bangkok, Thailand
Termini	Bang Khun Non Yaek Rom Klao
Stations	29 17 (Under construction) 12 (tender awarded)
Service
Type	Rapid transit
System	MRT
Operator(s)	Bangkok Expressway and Metro
History
Planned opening	Late 2025 (Eastern section) Est. 2028 (Western section)
Technical
Line length	35.86 km (22.28 mi)
Track length	22.57 km (14.02 mi) (under construction)
Track gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge
Electrification	750 V DC third rail
Operating speed	80 km/h (50 mph)
Route map Legend Bang Khun Non  MRT  Siriraj Chao Phraya River Sanam Luang Democracy Monument  MRT  Lan Luang Yommarat  SRT  Ratchathewi  BTS  Pratunam Ratchaprarop  ARL  Din Daeng Pracha Songkhro  MRL  Thailand Cultural Centre  MRT  MRTA Wat Phraram Kao Ramkhamhaeng 12  MRL  Ramkhamhaeng University SAT Ramkhamhaeng 40 Yaek Lam Sali  MRT  Si Burapha Ban Ma Sammakorn Nom Klao Rat Phatthana Wat Bang Pheng Kheha Ram Min Buri  MRT  Yaek Rom Klao This diagram: view talk edit

The line is divided into two sections; the 22.5 km (14.0 mi) Eastern section from Suwinthawong to Thailand Cultural Centre^[1][2] and the 2nd phase, 13.4 km (8.3 mi) Western section from Thailand Cultural Centre to Bang Khun Non. Construction of the 22.5 km (14.0 mi) Eastern Section started in June 2017.

The line cannot open until a signalling system is installed and rolling stock is ordered, both of which have not been tendered as the processes have been delayed due to problems with the western extension tender process. The line is not expected to open until August 2025^[3] or more likely late 2025 or early 2026.^[4]

By the end of April 2023, construction had progressed to 99.50%. ^[5]

Western extension tender delay and litigation

On 3 July 2020, the MRTA released the tender for the design and construction of the Western extension.^[6] However in late August 2020, the tender submission deadline was subsequently delayed.^[7] and the MRTA amended the tender assessment criteria resulting in a lawsuit and an injunction suspending the tender decision.^[8] The tender was subsequently cancelled by the MRTA in February 2021 given ongoing litigation by the BTSC.^[9] After approval by the Administrative Court given ongoing litigation, a new tender issued in October has a deadline for bids of January 2022.^[10]

The Criminal Court - Corruption and Malfeasance Division hearing into the cancelled tender process was conducted in late December 2021 which further delayed the reissued tender timeframe.^[11] Subject to court approval, the MRTA planned to review tender bids for a period of 3 months before seeking Cabinet approval for a reissued tender in April or May 2022. The MRTA reissued the new tender on 24 May 2022 with tender packages available for purchase until 10 June.^[12] 14 different companies purchased the auction envelopes.^[13]

The 141 billion baht western extension consists of 86 billion baht for civil works, 14 billion for land appropriation and 31 billion for systems installation, rolling stock and maintenance. The winning bidder was announced by the MRTA on 9 September 2022 with BEM winning the right to build and run the extension over the ITD consortium.^[14] However, continued litigation by the BTSC into 2023 has delayed the start of construction.

Route Alignment

The MRT Orange Line starts near the Ramkhamheang-Suwinthawong Junction in Min Buri District in Bangkok's eastern suburbs as an elevated line running west along Ramkhamhaeng Road. It interchanges with the future MRT Pink Line at Min Buri station. It then continues along Ramkhamhaeng rd for 7.5 km (4.7 mi) before transitioning to underground before Ban Ma Junction in Bang Kapi District. The Orange Line then interchanges with the elevated MRT Yellow Line at Yaek Lam Sali station. It continues farther southwest along Ramkhamhaeng rd passing Hua Mak Stadium and Ramkhamhaeng University to Rama 9 rd intersection. The line then proceeds west along Rama IX rd and crosses Pradit Manutham Road where it will interchange with the future MRT Grey Line before continuing to the current Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand Headquarters where the Orange line depot is located, along with the MRT Blue Line depot. The line then routes north to the Thailand Cultural Centre Station to interchange with the MRT Blue Line where it terminates.

The western section of the MRT Orange Line, 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.

History

The original plan of the MRT 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, OTP proposed that the original MRT Brown line plan from Bang Kapi District elevated along Ram Khamhaeng Road to the eastern suburbs in Saphan Sung District and Min Buri District, be merged with the Orange Line and updated Bangkok's mass rapid transit master plan accordingly.^[15] 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.^[16] 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 and Ratchawithi road route to further run south to Pratunam and then west along Petchaburi Road and Larn Luang Road. Continuing farther west along Ratchadamnoen Klang Road and Sanam Luang before passing under the Chao Praya river and finally terminating at Bang Khun Non to interchange with the MRT Blue Line extension.

The MRT Orange line Eastern section 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.^[17] 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. On 19 April 2016, the Cabinet further approved a budget of 82.9 billion baht for Phase 1 Eastern section to build 17 stations and 22.5 km (14.0 mi) of rail from the Thailand Cultural Centre to Minburi, of which 12.2 km (7.6 mi) will be underground and 9 km (5.6 mi) will be elevated.^[18]

Construction Progress

Construction contracts were signed on 9 February 2017 between the MRTA and CKST Joint Venture consortium.^[19] Construction finally started in June 2017 with a 1980 day construction period with a scheduled opening in October 2022.^[20]

At the end of the year, 31 December 2017, progress of civil works construction was at 4.66% according to the MRTA.^[21] By the end of July 2018, overall construction progress was 13.57%. By 30 September 2018, overall construction had progressed to 18.33%. ^[22] At the end of March 2019, construction had progressed to 32.12%.^[23] At the end of July 2019, civil construction was at 42.27%. ^[24] At the end of October 2019, construction had progressed to 49.05%.^[25]

At the end of January 2020, construction had progressed to 54.93%.^[26] By the end of May 2020, construction had progressed to 62.42%. ^[27] On 5 October 2020, TBM number 2 finished tunneling and reached Ramkhamhaeng 12 station box as part of contract 2.^[28] At the end of September 2020, was at 69.82%.^[29]

At the end of January 2021, construction had progressed to 76.09%.^[30] Construction progress was 81.03% by the end of April 2021.^[31] Construction progress was 87.24% by the end of October 2021.^[32] By the end of March 2022, construction progress was at 92.69%.^[33] By the end of May 2022, construction had progressed to 94.51%.^[34] As of March 23 2023, construction had progressed to 99.00% ^[35]

By the end of April 2023, construction had progressed to 99.50%. ^[36]

Construction contracts

Construction is divided into four separate contracts.

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

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

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

Contract 4 is 8.8 km and 7 elevated stations from Klong Ban Ma to Suwinthawong terminus station.^[37]

Contract	Notes	Kilometre	Progress (31 May 2023)
1	Thailand Cultural Centre to Ramkhamhaeng 12 (4 stations)	6.29	100%
2	Ramkhamhaeng 12 to Hua Mark (4 stations)	3.44	100%
3	Hua Mark to Klong Ban Ma (3 stations)	4.04	100%
4	Klong Ban Ma to Suwinthawong (7 stations)	8.8	99.70%
5	Depot and Park & Ride		100%
6	Track and Electrical		100%

Rolling stock

The tender for operation of the line and purchase of rolling stock for both the eastern and western sections was issued in May 2022, along with the construction of the western section.^[38] However, due to the ongoing litigation regarding the western extension the tender was suspended. As of June 2023, no new tender has been issued.

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 13.4 km (8.3 mi) 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.^[39] However, this decision was delayed until 2018 as Cabinet requested options to be considered for a joint public and private investment proposal.^[40] There were further delays into 2019, but the MRTA finalised a joint PPP plan for Cabinet to approve in mid 2019.^[41] On 28 January 2020, the Cabinet approved the 142 billion baht extension. It was originally expected to open in February 2026 and serve 439,000 passengers daily.^[42][43]

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.^[6] The tender deadline was 23 September 2020 with the successful bidder to be announced in early October 2020. The tender specified a construction period of 3 and a half years.

There were 10 tenderers that purchased the request for proposal (RFP) form with two major consortiums that submitted final bids:

• Bangkok Expressway and Metro Public Company Limited (BEM) - operator of the MRT Blue Line and MRT Purple Lines.
• BSR Consortium, led by Bangkok Mass Transit System Public Company Limited (BTSC), and supported by BTS Group Holdings (BTS Group) and Sino-Thai Engineering and Construction (STECON). BTSC is the future operator of the MRT Pink Line and MRT Yellow Lines which are both under construction.

However, in late August 2020 the tender submission deadline was subsequently delayed by the MRTA.^[7] Thereafter, the MRTA amended the tender assessment criteria resulting in a lawsuit being lodged by the BTSC in the Administrative Court on 17 September 2020 with the Court imposing an injunction suspending the tender decision.^[8] The tender was subsequently cancelled by the MRTA in February 2021 due to litigation by the BTSC.^[9] After approval by the Administrative Court given ongoing litigation, a new tender issued in October has a deadline for bids of January 2022.^[10]

The Criminal Court Corruption and Malfeasance division hearings into the cancelled tender process were conducted from 14 to 24 December 2021 and have delayed the reissued tender timeframe.^[44] Subject to court approval, the MRTA planned to review all tender bids for a period of 3 months before seeking final Cabinet approval of the winning bid in April 2022. However, there are also construction budget concerns for the extension as steel prices have increased by 40% since the previous budget was approved.^[45] The EIA for the western extension was also updated in December 2021 as Din Daeng station was moved north by 500m, Pracha Songkhro station was moved east by 450m and Yommarat station was redesigned.^[46]

The MRTA reissued the new tender auction on 24 May 2022 with tender packages available for purchase until 10 June.^[12] The 141 billion baht western extension consists of 86 billion baht for civil works, 14 billion for land appropriation and 31 billion for systems installation, rolling stock and maintenance. The winning bidder was announced by the MRTA on 9 September 2022 with BEM winning the right to build and run the extension over the ITD consortium.^[47]

Stations

Code	Station Name		Interchange	Notes
	English	Thai
Bang Khun Non - Thailand Cultural Centre: 13.4 km (Western Extension - tender awarded)
OR1	Bang Khun Non	บางขุนนนท์	MRT   SRT  Charan Sanitwong (Proposed)
OR2	Siriraj	ศิริราช	SRT  (Proposed)
OR3	Sanam Luang	สนามหลวง
OR4	Democracy Monument	อนุสาวรีย์ประชาธิปไตย	MRT  (Under construction)
OR5	Lan Luang	หลานหลวง
OR6	Yommarat	ยมราช	SRT  (Tender in 2023)
OR7	Ratchathewi	ราชเทวี	BTS : Ratchathewi Station
OR8	Pratunam	ประตูน้ำ
OR9	Ratchaprarop	ราชปรารภ	ARL
OR10	Rang Nam	รางน้ำ
OR11	Din Daeng	ดินแดง
OR12	Pracha Songkhro	ประชาสงเคราะห์	MRL  (planned)
Thailand Cultural Centre - Suwinthawong: 22.5 km (Under construction)
OR13	Thailand Cultural Centre	ศูนย์วัฒนธรรมแห่งประเทศไทย	MRT	Park & Ride service
OR14	MRTA	รฟม.		Depot
OR15	Wat Phra Ram 9	วัดพระราม 9	MRL  (proposed)
OR16	Ramkhamhaeng 12	รามคำแหง 12
OR17	Ramkhamhaeng University	มหาวิทยาลัยรามคำแหง
OR18	SAT	กกท.
OR19	Ramkhamhaeng 34	รามคำแหง 34
OR20	Yaek Lam Sali	แยกลำสาลี	MRT   MRT  (design phase)
OR21	Sri Burapha	ศรีบูรพา
OR22	Khlong Ban Ma	คลองบ้านม้า		Park & Ride service
OR23	Sammakorn	สัมมากร
OR24	Nom Klao	น้อมเกล้า
OR25	Rat Phatthana	ราษฎร์พัฒนา
OR26	Min Phatthana	มีนพัฒนา
OR27	Kheha Ramkhamhaeng	เคหะรามคำแหง
OR28	Min Buri	มีนบุรี	MRT  (under construction)
OR29	Yeak Rom Klao	แยกร่มเกล้า

Note: In February 2020, the MRTA changed the names of 3 stations OR19, OR20 and OR29.^[48]

Network Map

 

See also

• Mass Rapid Transit Master Plan in Bangkok Metropolitan Region
• MRT (Bangkok)
• 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 Dark Red Line
• SRT Light Red Line
• Bangkok BRT
• BMA Gold Line
• BMA Bang Na-Airport Line

References

1. "Six contracts signed for construction of B79.2bn Orange Line". Bangkok Post. 9 February 2017. Retrieved 12 February 2017.
2. Mokkhasen, Sasiwan (5 July 2017). "MRT Orange Line construction to begin Monday". Khaosod English. Thailand. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
3. "BEM wins bid for Orange Line project". Bangkok Post. 9 September 2022.
4. "MRT Orange Line summary of factual information". MRTA Website. 18 March 2023.
5. "MRT Orange Line construction update May 2023". MRTA Facebook site. 12 May 2023.
6. "MRT Orange Line extension tender". MRTA Website. 3 July 2020.
7. "รถไฟฟ้าสายสีส้ม เลื่อนยื่นซอง 45 วัน รฟม.รื้อเกณฑ์ประมูลใหม่". Prachachat news. 21 August 2020.
8. "ด่วน! ศาลสั่งคุ้มครองบีทีเอส ให้ รฟม. ประมูลสายสีส้ม ตามเกณฑ์เดิม". Prachachat news. 20 October 2020.
9. "ภคพงศ์ ศิริกันทรมาศ ไขปมล้มประมูล "รถไฟฟ้าสายสีส้ม"". Prachachat news. 27 February 2021.
10. "1 ปีที่หายไป ประมูล 'รถไฟฟ้าสายสีส้ม'". BangkokBiz news. 5 September 2021.
11. "ศาลอาญาคดีทุจริตรับคำฟ้อง! "บีทีเอสร้องรถไฟฟ้าสีส้ม"". Daily News. 25 October 2021.
12. "ประมูลรอบใหม่! ขายซองรถไฟฟ้าสีส้ม "บางขุนนนท์-มีนบุรี"". Daily News. 24 May 2022.
13. "ประมูลสายสีส้มกระหึ่ม กัลฟ์ -ไชน่าฮาเบอร์ -ยักษ์เกาหลี -ญี่ปุ่นแจมซื้อซอง". Thansettakij. 11 June 2022.
14. "BEM wins bid for Orange Line project". Bangkok Post. 9 September 2022.
15. . Archived from the original on 2010-06-11. Retrieved 2010-03-17.
16. "ข่าวผู้จัดการ แตกต่างกว่าที่นึก ลึกกว่าที่คิด | ผู้จัดการออนไลน์".
17. . Archived from the original on 2014-03-20. Retrieved 2014-03-20.
18. "Orange Line wins cabinet approval". Bangkok Post.
19. "MRT Orange Line contracts signed". Thai PBS. 9 February 2017.
20. "Lane closures for Orange line start in Ramkhamhaeng". Bangkok Post. 9 February 2017.
21. "MRT Orange Line construction update December 2017 2023". MRTA PR. 7 January 2018.
22. "MRT Orange Line construction update October 2018". MRTA PR. 12 October 2018.
23. "การรถไฟฟ้าขนส่งมวลชนแห่งประเทศไทย on Facebook". Facebook. Archived from the original on 2022-04-30.MRTA Press
24. "MRT Orange Line construction update August 2019". MRTA PR. 9 August 2019.
25. "MRT Orange Line construction update October 2019". MRTA PR. 10 November 2019.
26. "MRT Orange Line construction update February 2020". MRTA PR. 7 February 2020.
27. "MRT Orange Line construction update June 2020 2023". MRTA PR. 5 June 2020.
28. "MRT Orange Line tunneling completed". MAA Consultants Co Ltd. 6 October 2020.
29. "MRT Orange Line construction update October 2020". MRTA PR. 8 October 2020.
30. "MRT Orange Line construction update February 2021". MRTA PR. 8 February 2021.
31. "MRT Orange Line construction update May 2021". MRTA PR. 7 May 2021.
32. "MRT Orange Line construction update November 2021". MRTA PR. 6 November 2021.
33. "MRT Orange Line construction update April 2022". MRTA PR. 8 April 2022.
34. "MRT Orange Line construction update June 2022". MRTA PR. 8 June 2022.
35. "MRTA Orange Line East Construction Progress". Retrieved 5 April 2023.
36. "MRT Orange Line construction update May 2023". MRTA PR. 12 May 2023.
37. http://thailand.ahk.de/fileadmin/ahk_thailand/Business/biddingannouncements/MRTA.pdf. MRTA Tender Invitation, 29 June 2016
38. . กรุงเทพธุรกิจ. Archived from the original on 2022-06-27. Retrieved 27 June 2022.
39. "B385bn Rail Projects expected to go ahead". Bangkok Post. 26 May 2017.
40. "Ministry mulls Orange Line cost transfer". Bangkok Post. 15 August 2017.
41. "B230bn for Orange Line". Bangkok Post. 7 May 2019.
42. Theparat, Chatrudee (30 October 2020). "Tangled lines". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
43. "MRT extension approved". Bangkok Post. 29 January 2020.
44. "ศาลอาญาคดีทุจริตรับคำฟ้อง!! "บีทีเอสร้องรถไฟฟ้าสีส้ม"". Daily News. 25 October 2021.
45. "สายสีส้มลากยาว ดันต้นทุนก่อสร้างพุ่ง". Thansettakij News. 16 May 2021.
46. name="https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1042977602926946&set=pcb.1042980006260039 National Environment Board, 20 December 2021
47. "BEM wins bid for Orange Line project". Bangkok Post. 9 September 2022.
48. "รฟม. สั่งเปลี่ยนชื่อ สถานีรถไฟฟ้า 4 สาย หวังให้ประชาชนจำง่ายขึ้น". Khaosod Online. 21 February 2020.

External links

 

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• "MRT Orange Line Eastern Section"
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