[3] However, delays in awarding contracts for the signaling systems and rolling stock postponed the line’s opening.
In December 2024, Bangkok Expressway and Metro Public Company Limited (BEM) signed a contract with Siemens Mobility and its consortium partners to supply rolling stock and signaling systems for both sections of the line.
It then continues along Ramkhamhaeng road for 7.5 km (4.7 mi) before transitioning to underground before Ban Ma Junction in Bang Kapi District.
The western section of the MRT Orange Line, runs west from Thailand Cultural Centre Station via Din Daeng housing estates and Bangkok City Hall 2 to Vibhavadi Rangsit Road, Sam Liam Din Daeng Junction.
It continues along Lan Luang Road and Ratchadamnoen Avenue, then crosses the Chao Phraya River near Phra Pinklao Bridge, passes Siriraj Hospital and goes along Bangkok Noi Rail line and terminates at Bang Khun Non at Charan Sanitwong road, where it interchanges with the MRT Blue Line.
Continuing farther west along Ratchadamnoen Klang Road and Sanam Luang before passing under the Chao Praya river and finally terminating at Bang Khun Non to interchange with the MRT Blue Line extension.
[10] Subsequently, political protests against the Thai government led to the metro transport funding bill lapsing when parliament was dissolved in December 2013.
[16] After approval by the Administrative Court given ongoing litigation, a new tender issued in October has a deadline for bids of January 2022.
[22][23] EPC consultancy services were handled by Dorsch Gruppe and its Asian subsidiary, along with China Railway No.
2 Engineering Group Co., Ltd.[24] Construction contracts were signed on 9 February 2017 between the MRTA and CKST Joint Venture consortium.
[33] On 5 October 2020, TBM number 2 finished tunneling and reached Ramkhamhaeng 12 station box as part of contract 2.
[42] The Phase 2 Western extension of the Orange line will run from Thailand Cultural Centre to Bang Khun Non via Pratunam.
The Thai Cabinet was expected to approve the 121 billion baht budget for the Western extension in mid 2017 with a tender due for the 2nd half of 2017.
[43] However, this decision was delayed until 2018 as Cabinet requested options to be considered for a joint public and private investment proposal.
[46][47] On 3 July 2020, the MRTA released the tender for the design, construction and operation of the Western extension as a Public-Private Partnership project on a 30 year lease.
[16] After approval by the Administrative Court given ongoing litigation, a new tender issued in October has a deadline for bids of January 2022.
The Minister of Transport, Suriya Juangroongruangkit, instructed MRTA and BEM, the concession holder, to expedite the track and electrical works on the Orange Line's eastern section from the Thailand Cultural Centre to Yaek Rom Klao for completion as soon as possible.
In July 2024, it was announced at the signing ceremony of the joint investment contract for the Orange Line that they planned to have 32 electric trains, each with 3 carriages.
[54] In October 2024, BEM has concluded its selection by choosing Siemens as the manufacturer for the Orange Line trains.
A consortium consisting of Siemens, Bozankaya, and ST Engineering Thailand won a contract from Ch.
The contract includes the supply of 32 Siemens three-car trains, with the configuration and design same as the EMU-BLE fleet used on the MRT Blue Line in Bangkok.