On 28 November 2024, Mr. Surapong Piyachote, Deputy Minister of Transport, together with Miss. Napattra Kamonraksa, Assistant Secretary to the Minister of Transport, Mr. Sorapong Paitoonphong, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transport (Head of Transport Mission Group), and Mr. Pichet Kunathamaraks, Director-General of the Department of Rail Transport, inspected the operations of the agencies under the supervision of the Deputy Minister of Transport in Chiang Mai Province. Mr. Vithaya Punmongkol, Deputy Governor (Operations), Acting Governor of Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) and MRTA executives also joined the visit.

The group visited Chiang Mai Railway Station to survey the route of the Chiang Mai Mass Transit Project and listen to a briefing on the overall information of the project. Mr. Surapong Piyachote, Deputy Minister of Transport said that “the visit to Chiang Mai Province this time was to follow up on the development of transportation infrastructures in Chiang Mai Province. In addition to the Chiang Mai Mass Transit Project (Red Line): Nakornping Hospital - Mae Hia Saman Samakkee Intersection Section, which MRTA was assigned to carry out, in order to develop the mass transit system along with supporting tourism and stimulating the economy in the area, the Ministry of Transport foresee the development of other mass transit lines that could connect to various tourist attractions in Chiang Mai Province, especially the Chiang Mai Mass Transit Project (Blue Line): Chiang Mai Zoo - Si Bua-Nguen Pattana Intersection,  a 10.47 kilometers line with 13 stations, which pass through many important tourist attractions, such as Chiang Mai Zoo, Nimmanhaemin Road, Thapae Walking Street, Chiang Mai Night Bazaar, etc., It is also a connecting point for mass transit system and intercity trains at Chiang Mai Railway Station, which will facilitate local people and support future economic and tourism expansion. The Ministry of Transport has given a policy for MRTA and related agencies to consider developing the network and routes to cover important areas such as government agencies, educational institutions, tourist attractions, and business districts, taking into account the convenience and safety of the people, as well as the cost benefit.