The Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) plans to ask the cabinet to approve a co-investment plan between the government and a private firm for the Khae Rai-Min Buri and Lat Phrao-Samrong monorail projects.
The MRTA is ready to start work on the single-rail tracks, known as the Pink Line and the Yellow Line, in 2017.
The MRTA board recently discussed investment plans and resolved to adopt a Private Public Partnership (PPP) where the government will oversee civil engineering work, while a private company will take control of the electrical systems, train procurement, service operation and the maintenance centre, said MRTA board chairman Yodyuth Boonyatikarn.
"The private company will bear the risk of running the rail services as it is responsible for acquiring trains, service fares and other financial issues," Gen Yodyuth said after the meeting.
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The MRTA's earlier plan was to purchase the trains and have a private company run the service.
However, the Secretariat of the cabinet suggested a revision to the proposal, reasoning that the government prefers the PPP idea because it would save the state money.
Details of the new investment plan are expected to be forwarded to the Transport Ministry by early May and then the transport minister will ask for cabinet approval, MRTA governor Peerayudh Singpatanakul said.
The MRTA, a state enterprise, is ready to start the two monorail projects as soon as possible because designs and the environmental impact assessment report have been completed, he said.
The construction cost of the Pink Line, connecting Khae Rai and Min Buri on a 34.5-kilometre route, is estimated at 31.2 billion baht. The 29-km Yellow Line, running from Lat Phrao to Samrong, is expected to cost 31.6 billion baht.
At the same meeting, the MRTA board also approved the extension of the Purple Line which will link Tao Pun and Rat Burana, Gen Yodyuth said.
His agency is preparing to ask the Transport Ministry to seek cabinet approval for plans to deal with land expropriation and finance the construction cost estimated at 103 billion baht, he said.
The extension, a mix of 12.6-km underground route and 11-km elevated track, will have a total of 17 stations linking key areas on both sides of the Chao Phraya River.
The subway stations will be at parliament, Si Yan, Sam Sen, the National Library, Bang Khun Phrom, Phan Fa Bridge, Wang Burapha, the Memorial Bridge, Wong Wian Yai and Sam Re.
Ground-level stations will be at Chom Thong, Dao Khanong, Bang Pakok, Pracha Uthit, Rat Burana and Thung Khru Nai.