US$19.4 billion for Thailand’s transport development

Thailand plans to invest US$19.4 billion in developing its transport system. The programme is being drawn up by the Transport Ministry for the 2024 and 2025 period with 150 projects being planned.

And tenders will open in late 2024 for four motorway sections that are expected to cost a total of $4.11 billion. These are a 38km stretch of the M9 motorway that links Bang Khun Thian in Bangkok with Bang Bua Thong in Nonthaburi and a 35km section of the M9 between Bang Bua Thong and Bang Pa-in. There will also be work on the 22km M5 motorway in Ayutthaya, as well as a 61km stretch of the M8 motorway in Ratchaburi. Construction should commence in 2026 and be complete by 2028.

Meanwhile, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) will help provide financing for the $29.35 billion Land Bridge megaproject. The Land Bridge will link Ranong and Chumphon in southern Thailand. This will include a motorway, rail links and port improvements. The plan will help improve the flow of vessels through the Straits of Malacca.

Amongst the priority road projects for the transport development programme are the Motorway No 9, the Western Ring Road of Bangkok, upgrades for Motorway No 5 to Bang Pa-in and improvements to Motorway No 7 that links with U-tapao Airport.

Improvements will also be carried out to Motorway No 81 that links Bang Yai with Kanchanaburi and Motorway No 6 that connects Bang Pa with Nakhon Ratchasima. Thailand’s international links will also benefit when work commences on the 5th Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge in Bueng Kan later in 2024.