Former Bangkok Official Urges Revival of Third-Stage Expressway Project

According to a report by Thai Post on August 29, 2026, Samart Ratchapolsitte, a former Deputy Governor of Bangkok, has publicly urged the government to revisit the third-stage expressway project. Samart argues that while the expansion of the electric train network is ongoing, it is insufficient to solve the capital's chronic traffic problems on its own.

He highlighted a critical gap in the northern transport network, noting that the lack of a direct east-west connection forces a significant volume of vehicles to detour through the inner city, exacerbating congestion. Rather than abandoning the project due to past opposition, Samart suggests that the government should seek a new approach to implement the third-stage expressway to mitigate these traffic impacts.

For residents and travelers, this proposal is significant as it addresses the long-term infrastructure strategy for Bangkok. If the government decides to revive the project, it could lead to major construction phases that might disrupt current traffic patterns in the northern and central areas of the city. At this stage, it remains to be confirmed whether the government will formally adopt this recommendation or if alternative traffic management solutions will be prioritized instead.