The Khon Kaen Transit System (KKTS) is a proposed light rail transit (LRT) and Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) in Khon Kaen Khon in the Isaan region of Northeast Thailand.
A BRT system of 4 lines was proposed in 2012, and in 2015 the plan was changed to convert the North-South Red BRT line into a light rail line. In 2016 the Thai government approved the project, and in 2017 the Khon Kaen Transit System Co. established to operate the line.
The 22.6-kilometre Red Line will have 17 stations from Samran in the north to Tha Phra station in the south. The light rail line will be integrated with the high-speed railway station that will connect Bangkok to Vientiane and the China-Laos railway.
The light rail plan has been spearheaded by the Khon Kaen Think Tank (KKTT) Group – a local group of entrepreneurs that envisage Khon Kaen as a regional hub and smart city.
Khon Kaen is not a tourist city, so the group are looking to turn the city into a hub for meetings and events. Building a light rail would also make the city attractive as a place to live outside of Bangkok. In the future the group also plan to sell rail technology to other cities.
The city would also benefit as a railway hub if the proposed railway of the East West Economic Corridor is built. Khon Kaen would become a major crossroad city of Thailand, with direct railway connections to Myanmar, Laos, and Vietnam.
Work on the light rail was due to begin at the end of 2018, but it is currently stalled and has not begun construction. It is not known if the other BRT lines would also be converted to LRT lines in the future.
Links and Resources
Transit Website: kkts.co.th
Developers: khonkaenthinktank.com
News: skyscrapercity.com
Images
[Khon Kaen Central Station interior]
[Khon Kaen Central Station.]
[Light rail at Khon Kaen Central Station.]
[LRT platforms.]
[Khon Kaen Station garden.]
[Khon Kaen Station and skywalk.]
[Khon Kaen Station.]
[Khon Kaen Station parking.]
[Khon Kaen University Station.]
[Kudkwang Station.]
[Sam Liam Intersection Station.]
[Prathu Muang Station (City Gate Station).]
[LRT at Central Plaza.]
News Archive
2023
Thailand’s first urban rail network outside of Bangkok to be built from 2024 – [13/03/23]
“An ambitious plan to build Thailand’s first urban rail network outside of Bangkok will come to fruition in the north-eastern city of Khon Kaen. Work will begin in 2024 on a 26km light rail system to run through the city.”
2022
Khon Kaen to trial light rail network – [07/03/22]
2020
Khon Kaen rail gets S Korean guidance – [24/09/20]
“The Khon Kaen Smart Mobility plan, a blueprint for the light rail city train, is one of 12 projects where the South Korean government will offer consultation to help bring it in line with global transport city standards.”
2019
All aboard Thailand’s decentralization train – [21/04/19]
“A group of provincial entrepreneurs, academics and hoteliers in Khon Kaen are bypassing Bangkok to privately develop a light rail line.”
2018
Khon Kaen gears up electric rail project – [02/12/18]
“Publicly-funded scheme to offer 15 baht flat rate.”
Khon Kaen light rail plan set – [11/09/18]
“Private firms to be hired for construction.”
2017
‘Khon Kaen Model’ displays real promise – [13/12/17]
“The backbone of the Khon Kaen urban development plan is the construction of a 26-kilometre light rail transit line to solve traffic congestion and increase the value of real estate along the line.”
Citizens taking initiative in Khon Kaen – [01/09/17]
“A think tank formed by local entrepreneurs has propelled smart city plans for the northeastern province.”
Khon Kaen rail bids set for year end – [24/07/17]
2016
Khon Kaen Smart City (Phase:1) LRT North-South Line, infrastructure funds from private alternative urban development model for Thailand and beyond [PDF] – [29/09/16]
“Khon Kaen urban development (KKTT) Co,.Ltd. Associate with Khon Kaen University and 6 local Governments.”
2012
Khon Kaen transit map of 4 BRT lines, posted 17/02/12.
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