He added that the National Environmental Board had given the project the green light and engineers had estimated the cost of the extension at THB29 billion. The Airport Rail Link currently links Bangkok’s main airport, Suvarnabhumi, and Phaya Thai Station.
When Suvarnabhumi opened in September 2006, Don Muang shut down. Due to congestion at Suvarnabhumi, Don Muang later reopened and is now a dedicated facility for budget airlines.
As there were no plans to reopen Don Muang it was never connected to the Airport Rail Link. At the moment, the only way of travelling between the two airports is by bus or taxi.
The transport minister said the government would also like to extend the airport service so that it ran out to U-Tapao International Airport on the country’s eastern seaboard. He finished off by saying that engineers still had to work out the best route for this 190km-long line.
New rail line to Bangkok’s second airport
News in Asia
Thailand’s transport minister told reporters yesterday that Bangkok’s Airport Rail Link would be extended to Don Muang Airport. Air-chief-marshal Prajin Juntong said the plan to add a 22km line from Phaya Thai to Don Muang only needed cabinet approval for it to go ahead.