On June 24, 2025, the Daily News Transport Innovation Team reported that the board of the Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT) is set to review the resignation of Mr. Kajapon Udomdhammapakdi from his post as Deputy Governor for Strategy and Planning. Kajapon has been appointed as the new Governor of the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA), replacing Mr. Pakapong Sirikantaramas, whose term ended in March 2024.
The official contract signing between MRTA board chairman Mr. Montri Dechasakulsom and Mr. Kajapon is scheduled for June 27, 2025. He will become the 7th MRTA Governor and serve a 4-year term.
Key urgent projects awaiting his leadership include:
- Implementing the government’s flat-rate fare policy of no more than 20 baht across all electric train lines, targeted for September 30, 2025.
- Completing construction of the Orange Line’s western section (Bang Khun Non – Thailand Cultural Center), aiming for full operation by 2030.
- Preparing the eastern section (Thailand Cultural Center – Min Buri), which is already built, by installing systems and procuring rolling stock. The Ministry of Transport is pushing for an early launch by late 2027.
- Reviewing and submitting an updated feasibility study for the Brown Line (Khae Rai – Lam Sali) to the MRTA board in July 2025, followed by approval processes with the Ministry of Transport, the Public-Private Partnership Committee (PPP), and the Cabinet. Construction is expected to start between 2026 and 2027, with operations by 2030.
In addition, MRTA must also accelerate planning for three new lines recently transferred from Bangkok Metropolitan Administration:
- Silver Line (Bang Na – Suvarnabhumi Airport)
- Grey Line (Phase 1: Watcharapol – Thonglor)
- Blue Line Extension (Din Daeng – Sathorn)
A critical priority is finalizing the operating model for the Southern Purple Line (Tao Poon – Rat Burana), with civil works set to be completed in October 2027 and trains ready by September 2029.
According to a Cabinet resolution on June 4, 2025, Mr. Kajapon will receive a monthly salary of 340,000 baht. Born on August 23, 1974, he holds a master’s degree in engineering from the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) and previously served as Assistant MRTA Governor before taking the role of Deputy Governor at EXAT in March 2021.
Under his leadership, MRTA is expected to drive rapid transit expansion and modernize Bangkok’s public transport infrastructure to meet growing demand and support sustainable urban development.
