The first two storeys of Siriraj Hospital's planned 15-storey building will serve as an interchange for two mass-transit lines.
Executives of State Railway of Thailand (SRT), Mass Rapid Transit Authority (MRTA) and Siriraj Hospital signed a memorandum of understanding at the hospital on Thursday.
Under the agreement, the new hospital building would be constructed on 48,000 square metres of SRT land adjacent to the riverside hospital. The first two storeys will be an interchange for the SRT's Light Red Line (Taling Chan-Siriraj) and the MRTA's Orange Line (Bang Khunnon-Min Buri), said acting SRT governor Worawut Mala.
The construction was expected to start late this year and be completed in time for the opening of the Light Red Line in 2023.
Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith said the project would facilitate commuters between eastern and western Bangkok, which is separated by the Chao Phraya River, as well as hospital visitors. It also allows Siriraj to overcome its space limitations and expand operations.