Eight years after Thailand’s regional mass transit plans were launched, none of the four proposed light rail projects in Phuket, Chiang Mai, Nakhon Ratchasima, and Phitsanulok have begun construction, despite multiple feasibility studies and government endorsements dating back to 2017.
Initiated during the era of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), the provincial light rail projects were expected to break ground between 2020 and 2022. However, progress has stalled repeatedly due to shifting priorities, ongoing feasibility reassessments, and a lack of decisive political will from the central government and Ministry of Transport.
The Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA), responsible for overseeing the projects, has continued to commission new rounds of consultancy studies—even for projects previously deemed viable.
Phuket:
The first phase of the Phuket light rail line, stretching 41.7 kilometers from Phuket International Airport to Chalong Intersection, is on hold pending the completion of two highway expansion projects (Routes 402 and 4027). Officials argue that proceeding with both road and rail construction simultaneously would worsen traffic congestion, particularly along Highway 402. The new projected start date for construction is 2028. The system will be a steel-wheel tram line. Initially, MRTA announced that Phuket would be the first province outside Bangkok to launch a light rail line, originally scheduled for completion in 2024.
Chiang Mai:
In Chiang Mai, the proposed Red Line will connect Nakornping Hospital to Mae Hia Saman Samakkee over 15.7 kilometers. The MRTA is currently preparing revised terms of reference (TOR) to appoint a new consultant for another feasibility and detailed design study. This follows a directive from the national land traffic committee (KJTR) to add stations and extend the route by five kilometers to improve access to major tourist sites. Construction is now expected to begin around 2028.
Nakhon Ratchasima:
Originally proposed as a Green Line, the Nakhon Ratchasima light rail project has been reimagined as the Orange Line, connecting Theparat Hospital to the Chor Hor interchange station across 18.9 kilometers. The change follows public and stakeholder feedback. This revised route passes through high-density areas, including educational institutions, hospitals, and shopping centers, with the aim of easing urban congestion. Like Chiang Mai, construction is expected to begin around 2028, with completion taking two to three years.
Phitsanulok:
The Red Line in Phitsanulok—spanning 12.6 kilometers between Phitsanulok University and CentralPlaza—remains in the feasibility stage, with completion of the study anticipated in 2026. Planners are also coordinating with the State Railway of Thailand to align the project with the future Bangkok–Chiang Mai high-speed rail line, particularly the Bangkok–Phitsanulok segment. Demand for the tram line is expected to depend heavily on the timing of the high-speed rail launch. The tram system here is designed with rubber tires, and no construction timeline has been set.
While the Ministry of Transport and MRTA continue to support the concept of regional rail, critics argue that the lack of concrete action reflects a reluctance to prioritize provincial infrastructure. Despite initial plans for the four cities to begin construction as early as 2020, progress remains mired in repeated cycles of planning and reassessment.