Bangkok: The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) is progressing with plans to redesign the Red Line train by relocating the "Rajavithi Station" to connect with Ramathibodi Hospital.
According to Thai News Agency, a public hearing was conducted to discuss revisions to the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report for the Red Line suburban railway extension project, known as the Missing Link. The proposals include relocating the construction site, renaming the station to "Ramathibodi Station," and constructing a skywalk to connect with the hospital, aiming to improve transportation and public quality of life.
Mr. Atthapol Kaoprasert, Chief Engineer for Special Projects and Construction at SRT, shared insights after the public hearing held at the Satang Mongkolsuk Building, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University. He emphasized the SRT's commitment to developing a mass transit system that benefits the public. As part of this commitment, the details of the Light Red Line suburban railway project and the Dark Red Line, specifically the "Rajavithi Station," have been revised.
Key changes include relocating the station approximately 100 meters south of its original position near Uphai Chetsathut Intersection and renaming it to "Ramathibodi Station." Additionally, a skywalk will be constructed to connect to the future Ramathibodi BTS station interconnection center building. This modification aims to provide seamless access to healthcare services and public transportation, as proposed by Ramathibodi Hospital.
Mr. Atthapol stated that the SRT will continue to gather feedback from various sectors, including government agencies, the private sector, and civil society. This input will be used to prepare a report for changes to the project's details in the EIA report, which will be submitted to the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning (ONREP) for consideration. The process is expected to culminate in a presentation to the Cabinet for approval of the revised format and budget by December 2026, with construction anticipated to begin in 2028.
The SRT emphasizes its dedication to public participation in infrastructure projects, ensuring that the developments serve the public interest. The public hearing was an opportunity to share information about the EIA changes for the Light and Dark Red Line suburban railway projects and to gather input from stakeholders, including businesses and the public, to ensure the project's success. For more information, stakeholders can contact the Special Projects and Construction Division, SRT, during business hours.