Second Mass Rapid Transit Master Plan in Bangkok Metropolitan Region (M-MAP 2)
M-MAP 2 is the official master plan by the Department of Rail Transport for rail transit n the Bangkok Metropolitan Region. M-MAP 2 is an updated version of M-MAP 1, including 33 routes of current, proposed, and under construction lines.
Official M-MAP 2 map
[View PDF map.]
New lines
M-MAP 2 has 4 main groups with a total of 19 main electric train lines (routes), total distance of 245 km. When combined with the electric train network currently in service, 8 colors, 8 lines (277 km) and under construction (Purple Line South 23.6 km / Pink Extension 2.8 km – Orange 35.9 km), it will increase the electric train network to 584.3 km.
Group A1
Routes that are necessary/ready (immediate action) 4 routes, total distance 51.44 km.
1. Red Line Rangsit – Thammasat University, Rangsit Center: distance 8.84 km.
2. Red Line Taling Chan – Salaya: 14.80 km.
3. Red Line Taling Chan – Siriraj: 5.70 km.
4. Brown Line Krarai – Lam Sali (Bung Kum): 22.10 km.
Group A2
Routes that are necessary/need to be prepared in advance (to be implemented by 2029) 6 routes, total distance 61.21 km.
1. Red Line Bang Sue – Hua Lamphong: 5.76 km – wait for EIA clearance.
2. Green Line National Stadium – Yotse: 1.20 km – connect with Red Line Bang Sue – Hua Lamphong.
3. Grey Line Watcharapol – Thonglor: 16.25 km – EIA clearance realized – waiting for budget approval.
4. Green Line Bang Wa – Taling Chan: 7.50 km – wait until EIA clearance.
5. Red Line Wongwian Yai – Bang Bon: 12.20 km – Either red line commuter or otherwise along with EIA clearance.
6. Silver Line Bang Na – Suvarnabhumi: 18.30 km – LRT which need EIA clearance.
Group B
Potential routes (reconsidering suitability in 2029) 9 routes, total distance 132.35 km.
1. Azure Line, Din Daeng – Sathon: 6.70 km – wait for EIA clearance.
2. Gray Line, Phra Khanong – Tha Phra: 20.60 km – wait for EIA clearance.
3. Gray Line, Lam Luk Ka – Watcharapol: 11.50 km – wait for EIA clearance.
4. Green Line, Khu Khot – Lam Lookka Outer Ring Road: 6.80 km – high demand – need EIA clearance.
5. Green Line, Taling Chan – Rattanathibet: 10.50 km – meeting Purple Line MRT at Bang Yai Intersection – EIA clearance needed.
6. Red Line, Hua Lamphong – Wongwian Yai: 3.45 km – need to be underground tunnel to get better chance for EIA clearance.
7. Green Line Skytrain Keha – Tamru: 9.50 km – need to deal with the rising sea level as a part of EIA clearance.
8. Blue Line Ring extension Bang Khae – Phutthamonthon Sai 4: 8 km – need EIA clearance.
9. Red Line Electric Train Bang Bon – Mahachai – Pak Tho: 55.30 km – definitely red line commuter.
Group C
Feeder routes (rubber-wheeled trams, electric buses, etc.), 27 routes, distance 343.7 km.
M-MAP 2 has not yet included the Red Line Electric Train Project, Bang Sue – Phaya Thai – Makkasan-Hua Mak and Bang Sue-Hua Lamphong (Missing Link) in the plan due to the ongoing dispute over the high speed railway connecting three airports.
Because the Ministry of Transport has issued an order since 25 November 2024 for the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) to consider reviewing the study results and design new details to make the project current. Because it is a study result from 2008, the information is not current. Initially, the budget for 2027 will be requested to hire consultants to review the study results and design the details. When the project is ready and the study results show that it is worthwhile investing, it will be included in M-MAP 2.
[Information via dailynews.co.th and Southeast Asia Railways Group.]
Links and resources
Website: m-map2thailand.com
Facebook: Master plan for the development of the M-MAP2 mass transit system
News
New transport master plan ready for Bangkok metropolis – [28/07/23]
“The Department of Rail Transport has come up with a new master plan for the rail transit system in the Bangkok metropolis covering the capital and its satellite provinces.
The department’s Second Mass Rapid Transit Master Plan in Bangkok Metropolitan Region (M-MAP 2) has a total of 33 routes to meet the increased demand from commuters as the city is growing”.
I hope that in addition to this new construction they get their fingers out and offer a single fare structure with one fare valid on all lines perhaps based on the London zonal system and simpler interchange between lines and greater connectivity with the bus network.
On a recent visit to Don Muang I was surprised both by the fact that finding the new station could have been better signed and its positioning at the very far end of the domestic terminal ( I speak as a traveler not a builder as there may well have been reasons why it could not have been built nearer the center of the terminal). I was also surprised that for some unknown reason there was a “no trolley barrier” and thus you could not take (or pick up) trolley all the way to the railway ticket offices. Even Manchester (UK) allows you to take and collect the airport trolleys all the way to the station
Apparently a unified card is on the way again (famously said many times over the years).
I arrived at DMK in December and I took a wrong turn while following the signs to the airport, even though I’ve done it before. The signage is still too confusing.