Three electric train systems to be developed in Chiang Mai

CHIANG MAI, THAILAND, September 10 (TNA) - The Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTTPP), under the Thai Ministry of Transport, plans to develop three electric train systems in the northern resort Chiang Mai Province, with the provincial new mass transit projects set to be launched for public services over the next five years. OTTPP Director-General Chaiwat Thongkamkoon told journalists of the plan while leading them to survey the new electric train routes. Chaiwat said that a total investment fund of about 86 billion baht will be used to develop the three electric train systems, through the public–private partnership (PPP), with their total distance of about 35 kilometers. According to the OTTPP chief the construction of the 12-kilometer red-route electric train track has been set to be first started by late 2019 or early 2020, followed by the green-route and the blue-route tracks. "About 70 per cent of the overall 35 kilometers of the new electric train systems in Chiang Mai will be developed underground to avoid traffic congestion and to heed local people's demand for the conservation of architectural structures and identity in the heart of the province along the routes although more financial investment is needed to fund the three projects", the OTTPP chief explained. The senior official revealed that the new mass rail transit plan in Chiang Mai comprises of the 12-kilometer red route, the 11-kilomter green route and the 12 kilometer blue route electric train systems. (TNA)