MRTA concludes Yellow Line land acquisition under new Act
New legislation transfers affected properties in five Bangkok districts and two Samut Prakan districts to the MRTA for the Yellow Line
- A law has taken effect to expropriate properties for the MRT Yellow Line project, transferring ownership to the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA).
- The law impacts seven specific areas: five districts in Bangkok (Wang Thonglang, Bang Kapi, Suan Luang, Prawet, Bang Na) and two in Samut Prakan province (Bang Phli, Mueang Samut Prakan).
- The legislation became effective on August 24, 2026, the day after it was published in the Royal Gazette.
- Officials are now required to enter and use the expropriated properties within four years of the law taking effect.
A law transferring expropriated properties required for the MRT Yellow Line to the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) took effect on Monday (August 24, 2026), covering five districts in Bangkok and two in Samut Prakan.
The affected areas are Wang Thonglang, Bang Kapi, Suan Luang, Prawet and Bang Na districts in Bangkok, along with Bang Phli and Mueang Samut Prakan districts in Samut Prakan province.
The Act covers land within the boundaries shown on maps attached to the legislation. Its annexes identify the owners and lawful occupiers of the affected properties.
The legislation received royal assent on Tuesday (August 18) and was published in the Royal Gazette on Sunday (August 23). Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul countersigned it.
Section 2 stipulates that the Act takes effect on the day after its publication in the Royal Gazette.
The legislation states that restricting property rights is necessary to transfer ownership of the expropriated assets to the competent authority for the Metropolitan Rapid Transit Nakkhara Phiphat Line, commonly known as the MRT Yellow Line.
The stated restriction is subject to Sections 26 and 37 of the Constitution, which govern limitations on individual rights and property rights.
Under Section 3, the properties are expropriated for transfer to the MRTA. Section 4 requires the responsible officials to enter and use them within four years of the Act taking effect.
Surveys began under a 2015 royal decree
The Act follows land surveys conducted under a 2015 royal decree defining the areas that could be expropriated for the Yellow Line project.
That decree covered Chatuchak and Huai Khwang in addition to the five Bangkok districts named in the new Act. It also included Bang Phli and Mueang Samut Prakan.
The survey area was intended to support construction of the Lat Phrao–Samrong line, passenger parking facilities and related activities. The decree allowed officials to inspect the properties and establish the facts needed for the expropriation process.
It took effect in October 2015 and remained valid for four years. The MRTA subsequently completed its survey of the land required for the project.
