Greater Chiang Mai has a population close to one million people, making it the second biggest urban area in Thailand after Bangkok. With a growing urban area beyond the core of Mueang Chiang Mai District, there have been numerous plans over the years to build some form of mass transit system.
What form of rail system it will be has changed over the years, with tramways, light-rail, and metro-style railways proposed. The latest plan is for three light rail lines. I’ve named this fact sheet Chiang Mai Mass Transit, so that will cover any future combination of railways.
Chiang Mai Light Rail Transit System
There are three proposed lines for Chiang Mai Light Rail Transit System.
1. Red Line (Airport – Chiang Mai University – International Convention Centre) – 15.65 km
This line starts from Chiang Mai International Airport – Chiang Mai University (Suan Dok) – Wattanothai Payap School – Chang Phueak Bus Terminal – Chiang Mai Rajabhat University – 700th Anniversary Stadium – Chiang Mai International Convention Centre – Nakornping Hospital.
2. Blue Line (Chiang Mai Zoo – Tha Phae Gate – Don Chan) 11.14 km
This line starts from Chiang Mai Zoo – Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna – Chiang Mai University – Nimmanhaemin Road – Wat Phrasingh Temple – Yupparaj Wittayalai School – Tha Phae Gate – Night Bazaar – Anusarn Market – San Pa Koi Market – Chiang Mai Railway Station – Big C Don Chan – Promenada Resort Mall.
3. Green Line (Mae Jo – Kad Luang – Airport) 13.81 km
This line starts from Chiang Mai International Airport – Far Eastern University – Nong Hoi Market – Montfort College – Regina Coeli College – Anusarn Market – Night Bazaar – Kad Luang – Prince Royal’s College – Dara Academy (Dara Witthayalai School) – McCormick Hospital – Arcade Bus Terminal – Central Festival – Mae Jo Intersection – Ruamchok Intersection.
Links and Resources
Chiang Mai Mass Transit Project (Red Line) – Information page from the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand.
Chiang Mai Public Transit Master Plan – Facebook page with news in Thai. Original site at cm-pmap.com not working.
CHIANG MAI | Public Transport – skyscrapercity.com English page.
Chiang Mai light rail transit – Wikipedia page.
Maps
Map of approximate location for Red Line.
[Map of proposed Chiang Mai Light Rail Transit System.]
[Map via chiangmaicitylife.com.]
[Map from bangkokpost.com (with Tha Phae Gate on the wrong side).]
[Map via mgronline.com.]
News Archive
2020
Tussle over Chiang Mai’s tramway – [16/03/20]
“Chamber of commerce urges all three lines be built at once, but MRTA says state has other mass transit priorities too.”
Bid for light rail system in Chiang Mai expected next year – [13/02/20]
“Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) is expected to call a bid for the development of the light rail system or Red Line tram (Nakornping Hospital-Mae-Hia Saman-Samakkee Intersection) in Chiang Mai next year.”
2019
Chiang Mai rallies behind light rail – [02/08/19]
First public hearing for the light rail transit’s first route – [01/08/19]
MRTA will be surveying sites soon for the construction of the light rail transit system – [09/07/19]
Chiang Mai faces another eight year wait for Light Rail network – [18/01/19]
2018
Light rail construction approved for Chiang Mai – [16/07/18]
2017
Final meeting on Chiang Mai Light Rail Transit before it is sent to MRTA for approval – [04/08/17]
Tram or light railway? Above ground or underground too? Cheap or expensive? Chiang Mai meeting tomorrow – [03/08/17]
Public transportation network alternatives A and B – [22/06/17]
Another light rail transit system proposed for Chiang Mai – [23/05/17]
2016
PMAP Chiang Mai Public Transit Master Plan 2nd public forum held – [09/09/16]
2013
The Chiang Mai Monorail? A dream come true? Looks like it. – [18/07/13]
2000’s
Proposals for a Chiang Mai mass transit go back to the early 2000’s. 2bangkok.com has archived news articles from the likes of The Bangkok Post, where the original articles have since gone offline.
Chiang Mai Mass Transit News 2004-2006
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