Thailand signs contracts for Red Line extensions to Thammasat, Salaya

The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has signed contracts for two extensions of Bangkok's Red Line suburban railway network, with construction expected to begin in July 2026. The projects include the Dark Red Line extension from Rangsit to Thammasat University's Rangsit campus and the Light Red Line extension from Siriraj to Taling Chan and Salaya. The contract signing ceremony was held on 19 May at Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal in Bangkok. The Dark Red Line extension, worth 6.057 billion baht, was signed with Unique Engineering and Construction. The 8.84km route will include four stations: Khlong Nueng, Bangkok University, Chiang Rak and Thammasat University Rangsit. The Light Red Line extension, valued at 14.72 billion baht, was awarded to the UT Joint Venture led by Unique Engineering and Construction and Trustee Construction. The 20.5km route will include nine stations linking Siriraj, Taling Chan and Salaya. Acting SRT governor Anan Photinimdaeng said the projects are part of the government's long-term rail transport development strategy aimed at reducing traffic congestion and improving public transport connectivity between Bangkok and surrounding provinces. He said the Dark Red Line project would mainly use existing railway land, with partial land expropriation of about 22,400 square metres for station construction and access roads. The SRT expects both projects to take 36 months to complete, with operations scheduled to begin in 2029. Officials said the new extensions would help shorten travel time between Pathum Thani and Bangkok, improve rail access in western Bangkok and support economic growth around station areas.