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Published on March 25, 2008

Speaking at a seminar called "Road Map of the Economic Recovery" held by the Nation Multimedia Group, Transport Minister Santi Prompat said the first phase costing Bt259 billion, consisting of the Purple Line, Blue Line, Light Green Line and Red Line, would begin this year.

Of the construction cost, Bt140 billion will come from the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) and Bt95 billion from a 30-year bond issue. The remainder will be from the government.

The Purple Line, linking Bang Yai to Bang Sue, will open for tender by the end of this month. On March 31, the Bangkok Mass Transport Authority will sign a contract with the JBIC to finance the project.

The Blue Line's Hua Lamphong-Bang Kae section is expected to be put up for tender by July.

The Light Green Line will

connect Central Lat Phrao to Saphan Mai and Klong Si. The construction design has al-

ready been completed and is awaiting the result of an envi-

ronmental impact study. Mean-while, the Light Green Line's Soi Baring-Samut Prakan-Bang Pu section is expected to open for tender by July.

The Red Line, from Bang Sue to Taling Chan, is awaiting the result of the bidding process.

The construction contract should be signed within the next few months.

Santi said the second phase would cost a total of Bt510 billion. Most of that will be spent on extension of the first rail routes and another three lines, which will begin next year.

"On completion, there will be a total of 276 stations," Santi said.

Watcharapong Thongrung

The Nation