Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has warned government authorities not to let land expropriation processes hinder infrastructure projects, as the value of land located around existing and upcoming electric train lines soars.
Speaking at the launch ceremony for construction of the Pink Line and the Yellow Line on Monday, the premier told the Transport Ministry to act swiftly to prevent land prices rising ahead of expropriation.
The Pink Line monorail runs from Khae Rai in Nonthaburi to Min Buri district of Bangkok and the Yellow Line monorail from Lat Phrao to Samrong in Samut Prakan.
"The value of land surrounding new electric train lines will be five to 10 times more valuable, making expropriation [from private landowners] difficult," Gen Prayut said. "The government may not be able to take care of these expenses on its own."
Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) governor Pakapong Sirikantaramas said after the ceremony yesterday that more land may have to be expropriated for the construction of the Pink Line as the Department of Highways had raised some concerns over the effects of the monorail route on the roads it covers.
He said the main problem is that there may not be enough space for vehicles to turn in certain areas once the pillars for the network are placed.
Initial MRTA reports state the main areas likely to be affected are nearby Wat Phra Si Mahathat Woramahawihan and Phranakhon Rajabhat University in Bang Khen. Another area floated in discussions so far is the Pak Kret intersection with Tiwanon Road in Nonthaburi.
The MRTA chief assured the public that expropriation for the Pink Line will not delay the projects, which are set to be complete sometime after late 2021. The Yellow Line, which will not require any extra expropriation, also shares the same opening deadline.
"It will take some time before we know how much the expropriation will cost. Another funding request must also be submitted to the government for approval, which will affect the overall value of the project," Mr Pakapong said.
The 34.5km-long, 30-station Pink Line has thus far been valued at around 53.5 billion baht. Its route starts from the Nonthaburi Civic Centre, using a shared station with the current MRT Purple Line, with its terminal also set to be a shared station with the upcoming MRT Orange Line, at Ramkhamhaeng-Rom Klao intersection in Min Buri.
While the construction launching ceremony was conducted yesterday, MRTA reports state construction for the Pink Line is around 3% complete, and the Yellow Line at around 5% complete, as of last month.
