Thailand, October 2026 – Thailand’s MRTA is advancing plans for regional rail systems in Chiang Mai, Phuket, Nakhon Ratchasima, Phitsanulok and Songkhla. The initiative aims to improve public transport outside the capital while supporting regional investment and economic development. Each project will undergo an individual assessment to reflect local geography, urban development, travel patterns and financial feasibility.
The proposed projects are at different stages of planning. In Chiang Mai, Phuket and Nakhon Ratchasima, route proposals have been submitted for coordination with existing transport plans. In Phitsanulok, the MRTA has reviewed the terms of reference for appointing consultants to study and design the proposed Red Line, including adjustments to its schedule to account for the planned high-speed railway. The agency is also considering how future rail services can connect effectively with existing public transport.
In Songkhla province, the proposed Hat Yai monorail is a major focus of the review. The project envisages a 12.54-kilometre route linking Khlong Hwa intersection with the minibus terminal. The MRTA is awaiting royal approval of a decree authorising its role in operating rail transport in the province. Once approval is secured, the agency plans to reassess the feasibility study and redesign the project to reflect current urban conditions and lessons from the severe flooding that affected Hat Yai in 2025. The line is tentatively targeted to open in 2035, subject to the necessary approvals and planning.
The MRTA is also examining the financial sustainability of regional rail through commercial development around stations, improved interchange facilities and partnerships with private businesses. Before committing to major investments, the authority intends to consider passenger demand, construction costs, affordable fares and connections with other transport services. These factors will help determine whether proposed rail systems can attract sufficient ridership and meet the needs of local communities.
Thailand’s regional rail programme reflects a broader effort to extend mass transit beyond major metropolitan centres while aligning infrastructure investment with actual travel demand. The outcome will depend on careful feasibility assessments, coordinated land-use planning and reliable connections between rail, bus and other transport modes. If implemented effectively, the projects could improve regional mobility and provide a foundation for more integrated urban transport networks.
Source: UA.NEWS (reporting by Bangkok Post)
Thailand Reviews Regional Rail Plans Across Five Provinces
Journalism & Media
Share this story
Thailand is assessing ways to expand urban rail beyond Bangkok as provincial cities seek better public transport connectivity and sustainable urban growth. The Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) is reviewing proposed rail projects in five provinces, with passenger demand, affordability, environmental impact and integration with existing transport networks central to the planning process.
