Pattaya City unveils Red Line monorail to boost economic growth

Pattaya City is gearing up to enhance its public transport with the introduction of a new monorail line, which promises to significantly boost the coastal city’s economic development. The Red Line, as it will be known, is set to include 10 stations and cover a distance of 17.37 kilometres.

A recent feasibility study, presented during yesterday’s public hearing, confirmed the project’s potential. This was the second public hearing organised to discuss the new monorail, conducted by a group of consultant companies tasked with designing the electric rail project and performing an environmental impact assessment.

Many local business owners attended the meeting to express their views and offer feedback on the proposed new line.

The Red Line monorail will start at Thappraya Intersection, and continue along Thap Phraya Road and Jomtien Second Road until it reaches Jomtien Intersection. It will then turn left onto Chaiyaphruek 1 Road, proceed to Chaiyaphruek 2 Road, and end at the Eastern National Sports Training Centre, according to the report from the study.

The monorail system was selected for its minimal impact on road traffic and its compatibility with the city’s tourism-centric environment. However, the report also noted that these benefits come with higher construction and maintenance costs, reported Bangkok Post.

The study revealed that each station on the line will be approximately 1 kilometre apart. The preferred investment model for this project is a public-private partnership (PPP), deemed the most suitable format.

In related news, the government unveiled an ambitious plan to enhance Phuket’s transportation infrastructure, featuring a new monorail system linking the airport and Phuket Town. This initiative arises from the island’s robust economic performance, with over 300 billion baht in circulation last year.

Government spokesman Chai Wacharonke announced on May 17 that Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin recognised Phuket’s potential, aligning with the government’s strategy to make Thailand a hub for tourism, transportation, and aviation while improving infrastructure along the Andaman coast.