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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.

Photo © Neil Madhvani Photo © Neil Madhvani Photo © Neil Madhvani Photo © Neil Madhvani
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 © Neil Madhvani Phetchaburi © Neil Madhvani Phetchaburi © Neil Madhvani Phetchaburi © Neil Madhvani Inside Subway train © Neil Madhvani
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

Skytrain © Ron Morris Skytrain © Ron Morris Skytrain © Ron Morris Skytrain © Ron Morris Skytrain © Ron Morris

Photos © Ron Morris

 Practical Info

The Thai capital has some 5.5 million inhabitants in the metropolitan area (1992)

- OPERATION

06:00 - 24:00, every 7 minutes, with extra trains during peak hours.

Photo © Neil Madhvani Photo © Neil Madhvani Photo © Neil Madhvani Photo © Neil Madhvani
Photos © Neil Madhvani

- FARES

BTS (Green Lines):

Single fare between 15 and 40 baht, depending on distance, paid with BTS SKY SmartPass

1-Day Tourist Pass - 120 baht

MRT (Blue Line):

Single fare 16-41 baht, depending on distance travelled. Stored Value Card available, offering discounts.

1-Day Tourist Pass - 120 baht

 

 Links

BTS BTS Skytrain Official Page

Bangkok Metro Company (Blue Line - official)

MRTA Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand

BMA-Mass Transit (Metro projects)


Bangkok Skytrain and Bangkok Metro at Wikipedia

Suvarnabhumi Airport Link at Wikipedia

Ron Morris' Skytrain Page (incl. lots of nice pictures)

Ron Morris' Subway (Blue Line) Page: see construction going on

Railway Technology - Bangkok Metro

Skytrain Map on city map

Norbert Pogrzeba has some more pictures

Bangkok Rapid Transit Map at Johomaps.com

 

 

Thanks to Stefan Baumgartner

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2007 © Robert Schwandl (UrbanRail.Net)