Commencement of Chao Phraya Tunnel Drilling for the Purple Line set for Monday
The third section of the MRT Purple Line, stretching from Tao Poon to Rat Burana, is making significant progress. Tunnel drilling for this 23.63-kilometre section, which includes 10 underground and 7 elevated stations, began in August 2025 and is currently ahead of schedule, with construction progress standing at around 59-60%.
The tunnel drilling, taking place under the Chao Phraya River, is being overseen by Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit. The drilling, which involves a tunnel boring machine near Phra Pok Klao Bridge, is expected to be completed by May 2026.
The third section of the Purple Line will serve as an interchange with the existing MRT Purple Line (Chalong Ratchatham Line) and the MRT Blue Line (Chalerm Ratchamongkol Line) at Tao Poon station. Partial service for this third section from Tao Poon to the National Library is scheduled to start in 2028, while full service across the entire Tao Poon–Rat Burana route is expected by 2030.
The Transport Ministry is emphasizing safety protocols, traffic management, and environmental controls during construction. The contractor has been instructed to strictly follow these measures to reduce traffic disruption, prevent flooding, and control dust levels throughout the project.
This tunnel will be the second to run beneath the Chao Phraya River, adding to the growing infrastructure of the city's mass transit system. The originally planned opening date was sometime in 2027, but delays have shifted the partial service start to 2028 and the full service to 2030.
With the construction progress standing at 59.49% and the tunnel drilling ahead of schedule by 51.52%, the Tao Poon station interchange and the full line operation are on track for their scheduled completions. This development will undoubtedly improve the commuting experience for residents and visitors in the area, making travel more convenient and efficient.
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- The Transport Ministry's focus on infrastructure development extends beyond public-transit, with the ministry also overseeing projects in other sectors like [industry] and [finance].
- As the third section of the MRT Purple Line demonstrates, exterior services like [transport] are increasingly intertwined with [politics] and city planning.
- In the future, efficient [public-transit] systems like the MRT Purple Line might inspire the adoption of alternative [sport] equipment, such as electric skateboards or e-bikes, to foster a greener urban lifestyle.
