The year 2015 will be another traffic crisis year for Bangkokians as the government gears up to start work on transport megaprojects in the capital.
The Transport Ministry has unveiled details of a slew of construction plans for the year, everything from work on airports to new highways and extensions of electric train routes.
The ministry regards the massive investment as a jolt to the nation's flagging economy. But the pinch on Bangkok's already cramped arteries will be felt by everyone, officials say.
Anticipating an increase in traffic congestion in the city, Transport Minister ACM Prajin Juntong has ordered transport authorities to find solutions.
He said authorities will work closely with police responsible for areas where construction is taking place.
But he said he cannot go into details of the traffic flow plan because it hasn't yet gone before all stakeholders.
Soithip Trisuddhi, permanent secretary for transport, said the ministry has prepared plans to ease congestion and manage traffic flow in construction areas and surrounding roads.
One big project is the 59-billion-baht, 16.4km Green Line from Mo Chit-Saphan Mai-Khu Khot, scheduled for completion in 2020.
She said once the construction of the Green Line begins, traffic on two main roads — Vibhavadi and Phaholyothin — will be affected.
Lanes on Phaholyothin Road will be reduced, and many motorists would resort to using Vibhavadi, making traffic on that road worse.
Ms Soithip said her staff and police are working closely to come up with a plan to solve this problem.
Ms Soithip said the work will take place at night, which is one of the key measures to ease congestion. This should ease traffic congestion when it is worst during the day.
She said motorists will be told to avoid using the road where construction of the Green Line is being carried out.
Soithip: Crews to work at night
Ms Soithip called for motorists in Bangkok to understand the traffic situation this year and plan their routes accordingly.
Other projects include introducing dual-track railways, the move to 1.435m standard-gauge rail tracks, a motorway extension and Suvarnabhumi airport's expansion.
The following is a summary of some of the rail and highway work.
The four electric train routes under construction are the Red Line, Bang Sue-Rangsit (26.3km) which will cost 77 billion baht with estimated completion in 2018.
The Green Line (South), Bearing-Samut Prakan (12.8km) worth 28 billion baht will be completed in 2020.
The Blue Line extension, Hua Lamphong-Bang Khae (14km) will cost 82 billion baht. The project will be completed in 2019.
The Purple Line, Bang Yai-Bang Sue (23km) will cost 63 billion baht. Ninety-six percent of the Purple Line project has been completed. The service will begin on Aug 12.
Seven additional lines of electric trains, for which bidding and construction will be launched this year, are the Airport Rail Link, Don Muang-Bang Sue-Phaya Thai extension (21.8km) worth 31 billion baht. The project is estimated to be completed in 2019.
Others are: The Light Red Line, Bang Sue-Phaya Thai-Makkasan-Hua Mak (15km). The Dark Red Line, Bang Sue-Hua Lamphong (10.9) worth 39 billion baht. The estimated completion is in 2018.
The Green Line, Mo Chit-Saphan Mai-Khu Khot (16.40km) worth 59 billion baht with estimated completion in 2020.
The Orange Line, Thailand Cultural Centre-Min Buri (21.2km) worth 110 billion baht. The construction will be completed in 2020.
The Yellow Line, Lat Phrao-Samrong (29.1km), will be built as an elevated monorail line at a cost of 55 billion baht.
Construction of the Yellow Line will begin in January 2016, with estimated completion in 2020, as well as the Pink Line, Khae Rai-Min Buri (34.5km) with a budget of 57 billion baht.
The Blue Line extension, an 8km line from Bang Khae-Phutthamonthon Sai 4, will be proposed to the cabinet for approval by November.
In 2019, the Dark Green Light construction project, the 1km Yosse-The National Stadium line, connected to the Dark Red Line at Yosse station, will become more organised.
Three motorways are slated for extension. The Bang Pa-in-Nakhon Ratchasima (196km), Bang Yai-Kanchanaburi (96km) and Pattaya-Map Ta Phut (32km) extensions are part of an urgent plan approved by the military government. The project will go up for committee approval this year.
Meanwhile, the construction of six dual-track railway routes will also begin this year.
The six routes consist of the Chachoengsao-Klong Sip Kao-Kaeng Khoi (106km) route with a budget of 11 billion baht, Chumthang Jira-Khon Kaen (185km) at a cost of 26 billion baht, Prachuap Khiri Khan-Chumphon (167km) worth 18 billion baht, Lop Buri-Pak Nampo (148km) worth 25 billion baht, Mab Kabao-Chumthang Jira (132km) with a budget of 30 billion baht and Nakhon Pathom-Hua Hin (165km) worth 20 billion baht. All routes are expected to be finished by 2018.