SRT Dark Red Line

Initially, Rangsit to Bang Sue. Eventually, Thammasat University's Rangsit campus in Pathum Thani Province to Maha Chai in Samut Sakhon Province.

In February 2009, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva secured a 24 billion baht (US$685 million) loan from the Japanese Government for the 67 km (42 mi) segment.[6][7] The first Phase from Bang Sue to Rangsit was approved in 2010 but delayed due to a complicated 2.5 year contractual dispute.

The 21.6 km, 9 station Rangsit to Bang Sue section finally started construction in May 2013 after new contracts were signed in January 2013.[8] A construction period of 3 years was stated. By the end of 2013, the project was only 3% done & already months behind schedule due to a longer timetable in removing the Hopewell Pillars.[9] In June 2014, the SRT requested an additional 8.14 billion baht to modify the Dark Red line to 4 tracks instead of 3, to accordingly redesign all stations and to provide for the longer platforms for the Bang Sue Terminal to cater for future HSR lines.[10] 8.140 billion baht request is; 4.32 billion baht for Contract 1 (modifications to Bangsue Central to cater for High Speed trains); 3.35 billion Baht for Contract 2 (4th track and stations redesign) and 473 million baht for Contract 3.

It is worth noting that the budget for the 1st Phase of the Dark Red Line project have progressively increased due to numerous delays and further redesign of the project. From an initial 59.89 billion baht in 2007, to 75.55 billion baht in 2009 and to 80.38 billion baht in 2012. The additional requested 8.14 billion baht will increase the current budget to 88.52 billion baht.

The 26 km, 9 station Bang Sue to Rangsit section finally started construction in May 2013 with a scheduled construction period of 3 years. Construction works were delayed by 2 months due to site access issues for the contractor and delays related to removing slum dwellers residing within the right of way. However, it was hoped that the use of some of the old Hopewell pillars would speed up the initial construction timetable.[11] By the end of 2013, the project was only 3% done & already months behind schedule due to a longer timetable in removing the Hopewell Pillars.[12]

In June 2014, the SRT requested an additional 8.14 billion baht to modify the Dark Red line to 4 tracks instead of 3, to accordingly redesign all stations and to provide for the longer platforms for the Bang Sue Terminal to cater for future HSR lines.[13] 8.140 billion baht request is; 4.32 billion baht for Contract 1 (modifications to Bang Sue to cater for High Speed trains); 3.35 billion Baht for Contract 2 (4th track and stations redesign) and 473 million baht for Contract 3.

As of September 2017, civil works progress was stated to be 88.63%.[14] By the end of September 2019 civil works were almost fully complete at 99.56% and Electrical and Signalling installation was at 45.60%.[15]

Contract 1 of the project is for the construction of a new, 4 level Intercity Terminal to cater for all SRT Intercity Trains, SRT Red Line suburban trains and the yet to be built Airport Rail Link extension. The delayed contract process was finally signed in January 2013.[16] In August 2013, the SRT sought extra funds for the project to be redesigned in order to extend upper level platforms to a 400-600m length in order to accommodate future planned High Speed Lines.[17] (Funding was finally requested in June 2014 - see above section)

In March 2013, the new Intercity Terminal at Bang Sue started construction. Between March and June, excavation works for the foundation of the Terminal were delayed by the unearthing of numerous World War II unexploded bombs which required safe removal by army Explosive Ordnance Teams.[18][19][20] As of July 2014, construction was 10% behind schedule.

The new Bang Sue was originally scheduled to open by end of 2016 but the above-mentioned redesign work and other delays have resulted in an expected 2020 opening date. As of September 2017, construction progress of the station civil works was at 57.50%.[21] By the end of September 2019 civil works were at 86.01% and the new Bang Sue station was expected to finally open in January 2021.[22]

The SRT Commuter Red Line rolling stock at the assembly plant in Japan

The 3rd contract for the Dark Red Line is for electrical and systems (E&S) and procuring EMU rolling stock. An overhead catenary electrical system is specified. As of April 2014, only 2 bidders remained but one of the bidding consortium's was disqualified on due to the fact that one of the consortium members (Maru Beni Corp) had convictions for bribery in an Indonesian bidding process.[23]

This left MHSC Consortium (Mitsubishi and Hitachi and Sumitomo) as the sole bidder qualified for the contract. However, their bid of 28,899 Million Baht was above the SRT median price of 26 billion baht which was set in 2010. The MHSC Consortium argued that their bid reflects 2013 prices after the minimum wage increase of January 2012. Finally, after a 2-year delay in the bidding process, in July 2014 JICA approved the loan for Contract 3.[24] However, the coup of May 2014 delayed finalization leading to further review and negotiations. By mid 2016, negotiations had concluded and Hitachi promised that all rolling stock for the Dark Red line would be delivered by 2020.[25] The contract specifies 25 EMUs consisting of ten 4 car sets and fifteen 6 car sets for 130 cars in total.

In late September 2019 the first 2 sets of rolling stock were shipped from Japan [26] and both arrived in Thailand at Laem Chabang port on 12 October 2019 for shipment to Bangkok. [27]

The Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP) have studied the improvement and construction of the Mae Klong railway line[28] Which will be constructed through Samut Sakhon, Samut Songkhram and Ratchaburi provinces. It will use a bypass route in Samut Sakhon Province by deviating from the original train line for about 31 km. Between Ban Khom Railway Station and Khlong Chak Railway Station, the line will be elevate across Ekachai road And deviate along the route of Rama II Road around the km 26 + 800 to the 32 + 160 km and then divert to the left to go straight to connect with the original train line.

While in Samut Songkhram, the route will be constructed across the Mae Klong River. A third option is expected to be in use, which is to bypass Samut Songkhram city By diverging from the original train line about 66 km after passing Bang Kraboon Railway Station, which will be an elevated railway along the National Highway No. 325 to cross the Mae Klong Canal And Highway 325 at the intersection to Damnoen Saduak District, approximately 40 + 850 km and crossing the Mae Klong River

It will then revert to ground level and end at Pak Tho Railway Station, Ratchaburi Which will build a train parallel with the royal highway number 3093 and will have 3 more new railway stations in this section. Expected total value of this project is approximately 42,243 million baht.[29]

When completed, it will be a new southern railway line, which will help shorten the original train route, which originially runs through Nakhon Pathom and Ratchaburi before going to Pak Tho Station. The new Southern Railway will reduce the distance by about 43 kilometers and the aim of the project also includes the development of the Southwest Transport Center.

• Bang Sue-Rangsit: 21.6 km (13.42 mi) (under construction)
• Rangsit-Thammasat: 10.0 km (6.21 mi) (planned for tender in late 2019)
• Bang Sue-Hua Lamphong: 11.0 km (6.84 mi) (cabinet approved)
• Hua Lamphong-Bang Bon-Maha Chai: 39.0 km (24.23 mi) (planned)

• Mass Rapid Transit Master Plan in Bangkok Metropolitan Region
• SRT Light Red Line
• Airport Rail Link (Bangkok)
• BTS Skytrain
• Sukhumvit Line
• Silom Line
• Bangkok Metro
• MRT Blue Line
• MRT Brown Line
• MRT Grey Line
• MRT Light Blue Line
• MRT Orange Line
• MRT Pink Line
• MRT Purple Line
• MRT Yellow Line
• Bangkok BRT

Wikimedia Commons has media related to SRT Dark Red Line.

• "SRT Red Line website"
• Airport Rail Link, BTS, MRT & BRT network map