Bangkok set for traffic chaos as flyovers close for Orange Line
Heavy traffic congestion looms over Bangkok as the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) prepares to close and demolish three key flyovers for the construction of the Orange Line electric train route. This significant infrastructure project is set to begin tomorrow, November 15, causing major traffic disruptions in some of the city’s busiest areas.
The BMA announced yesterday its plan to dismantle the flyovers at Pratunam, Ratchathewi, and Sutthawat intersections. This effort is part of the MRT Orange Line’s expansion, which will stretch from Bang Khun Non to Min Buri (Suwinthawong). Motorists are advised to anticipate changes and delays as the city gears up for this transformative project.
Initial closures and traffic diversions will start tomorrow, with barriers being installed around Pratunam and Ratchathewi intersections. Construction work on the Orange Line’s Pratunam and Ratchathewi stations will also start. The project, spearheaded by Bangkok Expressway and Metro Public Co Ltd (BEM), aims to reduce traffic impact by implementing phased road closures and releasing a detailed construction timeline.
Demolition of the Sutthawat and Ratchathewi flyovers is scheduled for January 6 and January 15 respectively. Meanwhile, the Pratunam flyover, a historic structure being Thailand’s first flyover built in 1966, will be taken down in March 2026. Plans for constructing a new Pratunam flyover are set between April and November of 2026.
Beyond the flyover demolitions, the Orange Line project will involve rerouting utilities and digging for underground tunnel construction. The BMA has expressed concerns over the severe traffic expected due to these flyover closures, given their strategic locations.
In response, the BMA is working closely with district offices to facilitate traffic management. Efforts are being made to ensure certain road sections remain accessible during the day, with most construction activities scheduled to occur at night, reported Bangkok Post.
ORIGINAL STORY: Bangkok MRT Orange Line construction to disrupt traffic this month
Construction on the western segment of Bangkok’s MRT Orange Line is set to bring some disruptions, as announced by the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA).
The project, which aims to enhance the city’s transit network, will necessitate the closure of a traffic lane along the initial five stops of the light rail line, stretching from Bang Khun Non to Pratunam, by the end of this month.
Kittikorn Tanpao, the MRTA deputy governor and project director for the western section, confirmed that work has already started on the segment connecting Bang Khun Non to the Thailand Cultural Centre. This significant infrastructure development is being spearheaded by Bangkok Expressway and Metro Public Co Ltd (BEM), a company listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand and the operator of the existing Blue and Purple MRT lines.
BEM has undertaken the preliminary task of surveying the infrastructure and will initiate the relocation of utilities starting November 15. The relocation work will encompass the line’s first five stations: Bang Khun Non, Siriraj Hospital, Democracy Monument, Yommarat, and Pratunam.
The MRTA has indicated that the traffic lane adjacent to the pavements will be temporarily closed by the end of this month. However, in the vicinity of Siriraj Hospital, the impact on traffic flow is expected to be minimal.
Due to the high traffic density and the line’s proximity to schools and communities, the MRTA and BEM are collaborating with police to manage traffic impacts and ensure public safety throughout the project. Measures to mitigate disruptions include maintaining clear road signage and deploying traffic volunteers. The public will receive advance notification of any impending disruptions to their usual routes.
Songwuth Siriudomlert, a representative from BEM, stated, “We plan to commence primary construction early next year once utility relocation is completed.”
The construction phase is anticipated to span six years, with the subway line expected to be operational by 2030, reported Bangkok Post.
In the Rattanakosin Island area, BEM is working closely with the Committee of Rattanakosin Island and the Fine Arts Department to safeguard historical sites. The company also plans to integrate historical artefacts into the station displays, ensuring that the rich cultural heritage of the area is preserved and showcased.
