Thailand : Bangkok Mass Rapid Transit Project (Pink and Yellow Lines)
The Thai government approved the implementation of PPP Net Cost scheme for the monorail system of the MRT Pink Line and Yellow Line projects in Bangkok in March 2016, in which the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) will be responsible for provision of the land and the right of way whereas the private sector will invest in all civil works, M&E systems, and rolling stocks, including operations & maintenance services. The two projects are feeder lines to diversify the transport modality of the city, and to feed passengers to the main MRT lines, in particular those that connect to Bangkok CBD. The projects will mitigate traffic congestion and associated environmental issues, provide convenient and cost-effective public transportation system, and reduce the government's fiscal burden. The projects are parts of the government's stimulus measures to improve infrastructure which is an essential part of the country's sustainable development.
Project Details
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Project Officer
Pascual, Francis Mark A.
Private Sector Operations Department
Request for information -
Country/Economy
Thailand -
Sector
- Transport
Project Name | Bangkok Mass Rapid Transit Project (Pink and Yellow Lines) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Project Number | 51274-001 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Borrower / Company | Eastern Bangkok Monorail Company Limited Northern Bangkok Monorail Company Limited |
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Country / Economy | Thailand |
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Location | Bangkok | ||||||||||||||||||||
Type or Modality of Assistance |
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Strategic Agendas | Environmentally sustainable growth Inclusive economic growth |
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Drivers of Change | Partnerships Private sector development |
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Sector / Subsector | Transport / Urban public transport |
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Gender | Some gender elements | ||||||||||||||||||||
Responsible ADB Department | Private Sector Operations Department | ||||||||||||||||||||
Responsible ADB Division | Portfolio Management Division, PSOD | ||||||||||||||||||||
Responsible ADB Officer | Pascual, Francis Mark A. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Project Sponsor(s) | BTS Group Holdings Public Company Limited (BTS Group) Ratchaburi Electricity Generating Holding Public Company Limited (Ratchaburi Electricity) Sino-Thai Engineering and Construction Public Company Limited (Sino-Thai) |
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Description | The Thai government approved the implementation of PPP Net Cost scheme for the monorail system of the MRT Pink Line and Yellow Line projects in Bangkok in March 2016, in which the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) will be responsible for provision of the land and the right of way whereas the private sector will invest in all civil works, M&E systems, and rolling stocks, including operations & maintenance services. The two projects are feeder lines to diversify the transport modality of the city, and to feed passengers to the main MRT lines, in particular those that connect to Bangkok CBD. The projects will mitigate traffic congestion and associated environmental issues, provide convenient and cost-effective public transportation system, and reduce the government's fiscal burden. The projects are parts of the government's stimulus measures to improve infrastructure which is an essential part of the country's sustainable development. The MRTA announced invitations for tender of the MRT Pink Line and Yellow Line projects in July 2016. Although the tender process was undertaken separately for the two lines, the BSR Joint Venture (BSR) submitted the most competitive proposal and was selected as the preferred bidder for both lines in December 2016. BSR has entered into the concession agreements with MRTA for the MRT Pink Line and Yellow Line projects, respectively, in June 2017. Under the concession, BSR will obtain the rights to operate the lines, and be entitled to receive farebox revenues, commercial development fees, and parking fees during the concession period. BSR comprises BTS Group Holdings Public Company Limited (BTS Group), the market leader in mass transit business, operating existing Green line, Sino-Thai Engineering and Construction Public Company Limited (Sino-Thai), major construction company, and Ratchaburi Electricity Generating Holding Public Company Limited (Ratchaburi Electricity), one of the largest energy investment company. The MRT Pink Line will operate between Min Buri district (Bangkok) and Khae Rai (Nonthaburi province), it will connect with existing MRT lines (e.g. Purple Line, Green Line), and new MRT lines (e.g. Red Line, Orange Line). The entire route length is about 34.5 kilometers, and the project components include 30 stations, one depot and stabling yard, and one park & ride building. The MRT Yellow line will operate between Lat Phrao (Bangkok) and Samrong (Sumut Prakarn province), it will connect with existing MRT lines (e.g. Green Line, Airport Rail Link), and new MRT lines (e.g. Blue Line, Orange Line). The entire route length is about 30 km., with 23 stations, one depot, and one park & ride building. The government will provide subsidies during the first 10 years of the operation when the ridership is most uncertain. To further mitigate the ridership risk, ADB will extend a loan tranche whose door-to-door tenor is longer than the commercial banks to reduce the annual schedule repayment amount during the period following the expiry of the government subsidies. |
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Objectives and Scope | The project entails the construction and operation of the mass rapid transit (MRT) Pink Line and Yellow Line in Bangkok. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Status of Development Objectives | The borrowers will report on key performance indicators, including the outcome and outputs indicators identified in the design and monitoring framework. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Status of Operation/Construction | Target commercial operations of the Pink and Yellow Lines in June and Aug 2023 respectively. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Linkage to Country/Regional Strategy | The project is in line with ADB's country partnership strategy for Thailand, 2013-2016, and its country operations business plan, 2018-2020, both of which promote the support for private sector development and uphold two key core strategic areas for ADB's focus: infrastructure development, and environmentally sustainable development. The project is also in line with ADB's Sustainable Transport Initiative, which promotes a transport system that is efficient, safe, environmentally friendly, and has urban transport as one of the key pillars for ADB operations in the sector. |
Safeguard Categories | |
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Environment | A |
Involuntary Resettlement | A |
Indigenous Peoples | C |
Summary of Environmental and Social Aspects | |
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Environmental Aspects | Environmental and social impact assessments (ESIAs) for the Pink Line and Yellow Line were prepared in accordance with domestic procedures and were approved by the government in March 2015 for the Pink Line and February 2016 for the Yellow Line. Additional analyses on noise; biodiversity; climate change risks; cumulative and induced impacts; and the public information, participation, and complaints management system were conducted to ensure compliance with ADB's Safeguard Policy Statement (2009). The potential impacts from the project have been identified and commensurate measures to avoid and mitigate these impacts are in the ESIA addendums, environmental and social management plans (ESMPs), social safeguards compliance audit report, and supplemental social assessment. Environment, health and safety performance, in compliance with the ESMPs and applicable laws and regulations are required to be reported to ADB semi-annually. |
Involuntary Resettlement | Land acquisition and resettlement activities commenced when the royal decree was issued in 2014 and 2015, and the compensation started in May/June 2017 prior to ADB's involvement in August 2017. An audit of the land acquisition process was undertaken to determine if there are risks associated with MRTA-led land acquisition and resettlement. The audit found the MRTA practices based on the Ministry of Transport compensation manual and other applicable national legal frameworks are in line with ADB's Safeguard Policy Statement requirements. Information about the completion of the land acquisition and compensation activities are being obtained from the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand. |
Indigenous Peoples | The project will not affect indigenous peoples communities. |
Stakeholder Communication, Participation, and Consultation | Information disclosure and numerous consultation activities were conducted as part of the environmental impact assessment preparation. Information was disclosed in TV, radio, print media, leaflets, brochures, video, exhibition boards, and a dedicated website. Consultation meetings were held with communities along the route, local government officials, business operators, and private service providers. The MRTA (i) conducted a census and full asset inventory, disclosed information, and consulted meaningfully with affected people; and (ii) offered compensation payments for land, structure, and lost income due to business disruption at replacement cost. The MRTA is implementing a robust grievance mechanism where requests for changes in design are being implemented to minimize impacts. |
Timetable for assistance design, processing and implementation | |
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Concept Clearance | 15 Sep 2017 |
Credit Committee Meeting | 12 Apr 2018 |
Approval | 05 Jun 2018 |
Last PDS Update | 31 Aug 2023 |
Project Data Sheets (PDS) contain summary information on the project or program. Because the PDS is a work in progress, some information may not be included in its initial version but will be added as it becomes available. Information about proposed projects is tentative and indicative.
The Access to Information Policy (AIP) recognizes that transparency and accountability are essential to development effectiveness. It establishes the disclosure requirements for documents and information ADB produces or requires to be produced.
The Accountability Mechanism provides a forum where people adversely affected by ADB-assisted projects can voice and seek solutions to their problems and report alleged noncompliance of ADB's operational policies and procedures.
In preparing any country program or strategy, financing any project, or by making any designation of, or reference to, a particular territory or geographic area in this document, the Asian Development Bank does not intend to make any judgments as to the legal or other status of any territory or area.
Title | Document Type | Document Date |
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Bangkok Mass Rapid Transit Project (Pink and Yellow Lines): Initial Poverty and Social Analysis | Initial Poverty and Social Analysis | Jun 2018 |
Bangkok Mass Rapid Transit Project (Pink and Yellow Lines): Report and Recommendation of the President | Reports and Recommendations of the President | May 2018 |
Safeguard Documents See also: Safeguards
Safeguard documents provided at the time of project/facility approval may also be found in the list of linked documents provided with the Report and Recommendation of the President.
Evaluation Documents See also: Independent Evaluation
None currently available.
Related Publications
None currently available.
The Access to Information Policy (AIP) establishes the disclosure requirements for documents and information ADB produces or requires to be produced in its operations to facilitate stakeholder participation in ADB's decision-making. For more information, refer to the Safeguard Policy Statement, Operations Manual F1, and Operations Manual L3.
Requests for information may also be directed to the InfoUnit.
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