Transport authorities plan a 30-million-baht study on new electric rail routes, aiming to connect Bangkok with more neighbouring provinces under a larger rail transport network.
Unveiling the plan yesterday, Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith compared the network with a "cobweb" of routes running from Bangkok "in every direction to destinations under a 100-kilometre radius".
Provinces that will be linked to the capital include Chachoengsao in the East, Nakhon Pathom in the West, Samut Prakan in the South as well as Pathum Thani and Ayutthaya in the North.
The specific places will be known after the study is completed and later put on a new route map, he said, adding that the study will focus on the number of people living in those areas and their travel routines.
"The new routes will not be built separately. They must be linked to old or other [new] routes," Mr Arkhom said.
The Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning intends to allocate money for the study from the 2017 budget.
A consultancy firm will be hired to carry out the 12-month study by the end of this year.
In 2018, the results will be considered by the Land Transport Commission before being submitted to the cabinet which will be asked to approve the new electric rail network.
The project, which will take between 10 and 20 years, is needed because the state master plan on the first phase of the electric rail network is scheduled to end in 2019, he said.
The main aim of the second phase is to build transport facilities to serve growing urban areas in provinces near Bangkok.
This will help relieve overcrowding and traffic congestion in the capital, Mr Arkhom said, adding he wants to encourage more people to use mass transit instead of their cars.
In another development, the ministry has put the brakes on the southern Red Line project, linking Phutthamonthon Sai 4 in Nakhon Pathum and Maha Chai in Samut Sakhon.
The delay is due to opposition from residents in the areas, Mr Arkhom said.