Deputy Transport Minister Sansern Wongcha-um said yesterday the government would push ahead with the construction of new rail lines, regardless of whether the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) approves a loan for the project.

The decision on which lines will be built will come in one to two weeks, he said.

For a project of such magnitude, it is normal for funding to come from local and international sources, he said, expressing confidence in Finance Minister MR Pridiyathorn Devakula's ability to find the capital.

According to the management of the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand - the agency responsible for the Purple Line and Blue Line extensions - negotiations with the JBIC are still taking place.

The amount and allocation of the investment capital will be clarified in one month, said Sansern.

During the previous government, seven routes were planned for completion in both above- and underground loops. The lines will be a combined 291 kilometres long and cost Bt555 billion.

The seven contending lines consist of the Dark Red Line, which runs from Rangsit to Mahachai; the Light Red Line from Taling Chan to Suvarnabhumi; the Purple Line from Bang Yai to Bang Sue; the Orange Line from Bang Kapi to Bang Bamru; the Dark Green Line from Saphan Mai to Bang Wa; the Light Green Line from Prannok to Samut Prakan; and the Blue Line from Hualampong to Bang Kae and from Bang Sue to Tha Phra.