The Ministry of Transport of Thailand has authorised four pilot projects proposed by the Department of Highways as part of the country’s interprovincial Motorways-Rail Map (MR-Map) network. These projects were approved after acknowledging progress in the feasibility studies.
The trail projects includes the MR5 highway between Ranong and Chumphon which will connect the Andaman Sea to the Gulf of Thailand and incorporate a maritime transit centre. It also includes the MR8 from Nong Khai to Laem Chabang, including a 288 km section from Nakhon Ratchasima to Laem Chabang, the MR 9 Kanchanaburi-Ubon Ratchathani and Nakhon Ratchasima-Ubon Ratchathani route and the MR10, a 319 km third outer ring road for Bangkok.
The State Railway of Thailand will be in charge of analysing and developing a railway network that will connect to the MR-Map network. Following the completion of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), agencies will work together to finish development works in a reasonable time period.