The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) will spend Bt9 billion of its own money to build the 5.2-kilometre extension of the Skytrain from Onnuj to Bang Na.

The move is in line with the decision by Governor Apirak Kosayodhin to have the BMA give more importance to projects that improve the environment and quality of life rather than mega-projects, which need central government cooperation.

Rather than wait for government funding, the BMA was moving quickly ahead with the project to extend the BTS route and provide a better public transport system because of the petrol price crisis. The Onnuj line was originally intended to extend 8.9km to Samrong.

Deputy Bangkok Governor Panich Vikitsret said the extension had been delayed for a long time because of a decision in 2000 by the Cabinet to require the project to be 100-per-cent funded by the private sector. The BMA had petitioned the government to have the resolution changed to allow the BMA to join in the investment.

"It would be better for the BMA to invest in the construction of the 5.2km extension from Onnuj to Sukhumvit Soi 107, which is part of the 8.9km Onnuj-Samrong route project," Panich said.

The BMA's Traffic and Transport Department estimated the extension would cost Bt9 billion, of which Bt5 billion-Bt6 billion would be spent on construction of the main structure and stations and Bt2 billion-Bt3 billion on traffic signal systems. The budget excludes the train system, which the BMA expects to be funded by the private sector.

Panich said the project could be started in the BMA's next fiscal year.

Apirak had said previously that progress on the BMA-funded skytrain extension from Taksin Bridge to Thon Buri was going slowly because the BMA had failed to reach a deal with a private company over the route's signal system.

He insisted the extension would be able to provide services by the end of the year. A BMA source said the Traffic and Transport Department had been studying another two extension routes from Taksin to Bang Wa and Mo Chit to Sapan Mai Bridge. The extensions will cost about Bt20 billion.