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BANGKOK

Thailand

Bangkok Mass Transit Map © UrbanRail.Net

System

The present Bangkok mass transit system comprises two different types of metros: 1) the elevated BTS system, the so-called Skytrain - rot fai fah in Thai, and 2) the underground MRT subway. Although BTS and MRT use similar technology (trains, signalling & train control), there is no track connection between them.

Besides the mass transit rail systems, Water Buses provide a fast transport service on the Chao Phraya River; at present, transfer to the BTS system is only possible at Saphan Taksin station.

Green Lines (BTS-Skytrain)

This is a completely elevated system built by Siemens as a turnkey project, opened in 1999, initially 23 km long with 23 stations, and finally extended for the first time in 2009. The BTS system consists of two lines:
the Sukhumvit Line (16.8 km) and
the Silom Line (8.5 km).

Track gauge is 1435 mm and power supply is via third rail at 750 V DC. 3-car trains are 65 m long, air-conditioned and run at an average speed of 35 kph. The elevated Green Line depot is connected to Mo Chit station.

Photos © Neil Madhvani

Blue Line (MRTA)

In August 1997 construction work began on this 21 km underground full metro with 18 stations; it finally opened for trial service in April 2004. In December 2001, Siemens was awarded the contract to build 19 three-car trains for this line and to provide the necessary operating equipment.

A 1-station extension from Bang Sue to Tao Pun is preperad create an interchange with the planned Purple Line; the Blue Line would be on surface at Tao Pun station.

The standard Blue Line station has an island platform on level -3. Sam Yan, Silom and Lumphini stations have side platforms on different levels, each with trains to Bang Sue on level -2, and trains to Hua Lamphong on level -4, whereas Bang Sue and Khlong Toei stations have two side platforms on the same level. Thailand Cultural Centre is much bigger than other comparable stations: the Blue Line stops on level -3, while level -2 is prepared to accommodate the Orange Line in the future. The surface Blue Line depot is connected directly to both Thailand Cultural Centre and Phra Ram 9 stations. A track connection between Blue and Orange Lines will be made via this depot.

Phetchaburi station © Neil Madhvani

History

05 Dec 1999 - BTS network
- Sukhumvit Line Mo Chit - On Nut
- Silom Line National Stadium - Saphan Taksin

13 April 2004 - Blue Line trial service

03 July 2004 - Blue Line Bang Sue - Hua Lampong (normal revenue service)

15 May 2009 - Silom Line Saphan Taksin - Wong Wian Yai

Projects

For updates on Projects see Ron Morris' pages below

BTS

Sukhumvit Line – East:
1) On Nut Station south to Bearing, 5.25 km (construction started in 2007, for completion in Dec 2011): E10 Bangchak, E11 Punnawithee, E12 Udomsuk, E13 Bang Na, E14 Bearing Station
2) Bearing to Samut Prakan, 13 km 9 stations (E15-E23), (planned)

Sukhumvit Line – North:
1) Mo Chit station to Saphan Mai, 11.4kms 11 stations (N9 – N20), (planned)
2) Saphan Mai to Lam Lukka, 14km 9 stations (N21-N28), (planned)

Silom Line – South: 1) Wong Wian Yai to Bang Wah (Phetkasem road), 5.3km - 4 stations (S9 - S12) only to be built as the viaduct is already completed, (expected opening March 2011)

Silom Line – West: 1) National Stadium to Prannok 7.7kms, (planned)

Further Projects:

1) CityLink (Phraya Thai - Makkasan / City-Terminal - Suvarnabhumi Airport) and Airport Link (Makkasan / City-Terminal - Suvarnabhumi Airport; non-stop) under construction for completion in 2009 (1435 mm gauge). The Airport service will start on 12 Aug 2009.

2) SRT Suburban Rail System (1000 mm gauge):

- Bang Sue - Taling Chan (planned)
- Bang Sue - Rang Sit (planned)
- Bang Sue - Makkasan - Hua Mark (planned)

3) Purple Line (Tao Pun - Phra Nangklao - Bang Yai)

4) Blue Ring (Bangsue - Tha Phra/Hua Lamphong - Bang Khae)

5) Green Line (BTS Skytrain) Phaholyothin Extension (Mo Chit - Saphan Mai)

See detailed diagram and map for more details.

Photos