Orange Line (Bangkok)
The MRT Orange Line is a rapid transit lines of the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand in the Bangkok Metropolitan Area, Thailand.
This Line is divided into two sections; the Eastern section from Suwinthawong - Thailand Cultural Centre and the 2nd phase Western section from Thailand Cultural Centre - Bang Khun Non. Construction of the 22.5km Eastern Section started in June 2017 and the line is scheduled to open in early 2023. On 3 July 2020, the MRTA released the tender for the design and construction of the Western extension.
When fully completed, the MRT Orange line will be 35.9 km long with 29 stations.
At the end of June 2020, construction had progressed to 64.21%
History
The original plan of the Orange Line aimed to serve travel demand between the northwestern area of Thonburi, at Bang Bamru Railway Station in Bang Phlat District, and the east of Bangkok in Bang Kapi District. It was planned to run along Ramkhamhaeng Road and Ratchawithi Road, passing many public places like Hua Mak Stadium, Dusit Zoo and Victory Monument, and provide access to universities including Ramkhamhaeng University, Suan Sunandha and Suan Dusit Rajabhat University and many government offices.In 2009, the proposed MRT Brown line from Bang Kapi District, elevated along Ram Khamhaeng Road, to the eastern suburb in Saphan Sung District and Min Buri District, was merged with the Orange Line in Bangkok's mass rapid transit master plan. In July 2011, the section from Bang Khun Non to Taling Chan was finally scrapped in favour of the SRT Light Red line spur line which duplicates the same route. In 2012, there were further notable changes made to the central and western sections of the Orange Line. The section from Din Daeng District to Bang Bamru was rerouted away from Victory Monument to Pratunam, Petchaburi Road and Larn Luang Road, then under Ratchadamnoen Klang Road and terminating at Bang Khun Non to interchange with the MRT Blue Line extension.
The Orange line was originally planned to be tendered by the end of 2013. However, due to protests by residents regarding station footprint and compulsory land acquisition around stations at Pratunam, Ratchaprarop, Pracha Songkhro and Soesim stations the MRTA needed another 12 months to redesign sections of the line. Subsequently, political protests against the Thai government led to the metro transport funding bill lapsing when parliament was dissolved in December 2013. On 9 December 2015, Cabinet finally approved the Orange Line.
Alignment
The Orange Line starts at Suwinthawong rd in Min Buri District in Bangkok's eastern suburbs as an elevated line running along Ramkhamhaeng Road. It will interchange with the future MRT Yellow Line at Lam Sali station. It then proceeds underground near Lam Sali intersection in Bang Kapi District, where there will be a transfer to the MRT Yellow Line. It continues southwest along Ramkhamhaeng Road, passing Hua Mak Stadium and Ramkhamhaeng University to Rama IX rd intersection. The line then proceeds west along Rama IX rd and crosses Pradit Manutham Road to the current Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand Headquarters and MRT Blue line depot. Then it routes north to the Thailand Cultural Centre Station to interchange with the MRT Blue Line.For the western section of the Orange Line, it runs west from Thailand Cultural Centre Station via Din Daeng housing estates and Bangkok City Hall 2 to Vibhavadi Rangsit Road, Sam Liam Din Daeng Junction. Then turns left into Ratchaprarop Road towards Pratu Nam and turns right into Phetchaburi Road then interchanges with BTS Sukhumvit Line at Ratchathewi Station. It continues along Lan Luang Road and Ratchadamnoen Avenue, then crosses the Chao Phraya River near Phra Pinklao Bridge, passes Siriraj Hospital and goes along Bangkok Noi Rail line and terminates at Bang Khun Non at Charan Sanitwong rd, where it interchanges with the MRT Blue Line.
Progress
On 19 April 2016, the Cabinet further approved a budget of 82.9 billion baht for Phase 1 East section to build 17 stations and 21.2 km of rail from the Thailand Cultural Centre to Minburi, of which 12.2 km will be underground and 9 km will be elevated. Construction contracts were signed on 9 February 2017 between the MRTA and CKST Joint Venture consortium. Construction finally started in June 2017 with a 1980 day construction period with a scheduled opening in October 2022. Project construction is divided into 4 contracts.As of 31 December 2017, the progress of civil works construction was at 4.66% according to the MRTA. As of July 2018, overall construction progress is at 13.57%. As of August 2018, overall construction progress is at 16.21%. By 30 September 2018, overall construction had progressed to 18.33% At the end of March 2019, construction has progressed to 32.12% At the end of July 2019, civil construction was at 42.27% At the end of October 2019, construction has progressed to 49.05% At the end of January 2020, construction had progressed to 54.93%. By the end of May 2020, construction had progressed to 62.42%
The eastern section has a planned opening date of early 2023.
Construction contracts
Construction is divided into four separate contracts.Contract 1 is for 6.29km underground and 4 underground stations from Thai Cultural Centre interchange station to Rankhamhaeng 12 station.
Contract 2 is for 3.44km underground and 4 underground stations from Ramkhamheang 12 station to Hua Mark station.
Contract 3 is for 4.04km underground and 3 underground stations from Hua Mark station to Klong Ban Ma station.
Contract 4 is 8.8km and 7 elevated stations from Klong Ban Ma to Suwinthawong terminus station.
| Contract | Notes | Kilometre | Progress |
| 1 | Thailand Cultural Centre to Ramkhamhaeng 12 | 6.29 | 75.94% |
| 2 | Ramkhamhaeng 12 to Hua Mark | 3.44 | 57.68% |
| 3 | Hua Mark to Klong Ban Ma | 4.04 | 59.11% |
| 4 | Klong Ban Ma to Suwinthawong | 8.8 | 53.13% |
| 5 | Rolling stock | 64.59% | |
| 6 | Signalling and Electrical | 64.63% |
Phase 2 Western Extension
The Phase 2 Western extension of the Orange line will run from Thailand Cultural Centre to Bang Khun Non via Pratunam. The 17.5km western section will run underground with 12 stations.The Thai Cabinet was expected to approve the 121 billion baht budget for the Western extension in mid 2017 with a tender due for the 2nd half of 2017. However, this decision was delayed until 2018 as Cabinet requested options to be considered for a joint public and private investment proposal. There were further delays into 2019, but the MRTA finalised a joint PPP plan for Cabinet to approve in mid 2019. On 28 January 2020, the Cabinet approved the 142 billion baht extension. It is expected to open in 2026 and serve 439,000 passengers daily.
On 3 July 2020, the MRTA released the tender for the design, construction and operation of the Western extension as a Public-Private Partnership project on a 30 year lease. The tender closes on 23 September 2020 with the successful bidder expected to be announced in early October 2020. The tender specifies a construction period of 3 years and 6 months.