Thailand’s airport authorities are planning to build a three-kilometre monorail electric train route linking Don Mueang international airport with the Bangkok Transit System (BTS) Green Line on the Mor Chit-Saphan Mai-Khu Khot route in the city’s northern suburb, according to The Bangkok Post.
The report quoted Don Mueang airport deputy director flying officer Sumpun Khutranon as saying that the monorail system, which will cost about three billion baht (US$98 million), is to complement a plan to turn Don Mueang airport into a transport hub to link China with Bangkok and the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC).
The three-kilometre monorail route will be built from a point on the BTS Green Line into the airport, said the report, adding that there are two possible spots on the line for the monorail to start – the Saphan Mai and Air Force Museum stations.
Apart from the BTS Green Line, Don Mueang airport will also be connected to the high-speed train linking U-Tapao, Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports, the Bangkok-Nong Khai-Laos-Kunming (China) high-speed train and the State Railway of Thailand’s Red Line.
Sumpun was also quoted by the report as saying that the third phase of Don Mueang airport’s 39 billion baht expansion, which will stretch from 2020 to 2025, is currently in the design stage.
The Transport Ministry will be submitting a project proposal for cabinet approval. Once green-lit, bidding for construction will proceed in late 2019 or early 2020. Upon completion, Don Mueang will be able to handle up to 40 million passengers per year.
