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The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration designed a mass transit network including three different types of metros, 1) the elevated BTS system, the so-called Skytrain - rot fai fah in Thai, 2) the underground MRTA subway and 3) another elevated line (BERTS) which should be built together with a major road project. In 2004, two of the planned systems are in operation:

Green Line (BTS-Skytrain)

This is an elevated line built by Siemens as a turnkey project. 23km and 23 stations. Actually two lines: the Sukhumvit Line (16.8 km) and the Silom Line (6.3 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.

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.

Phetchaburi station © Neil Madhvani

5 Dec 1999 - BTS network - Sukhumvit Line and Silom Line

13 April 2004 - Blue Line trial service

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

 Projects

For updates on Projects see Ron Morris' pages below

Green Line

Construction of an additional three BTS routes was approved in February 2000:

Saphan Taksin - Wong Wian Yai, 2.2 km (opening Sept. 2008)
On Nut Station south to Bearing, ~6 km (construction started in 2007, for completion in 2009):
E10 Bangchak, E11 Punnawithee, E12 Udomsuk, E13 Bang Na, E14 Bearing Station

Chong Nonsi Station - Rama 3 Road, 8.5 km.

Later the system may be further expanded: 1) in the North, the route from Mo Chit Station to Lum Lukka, approximately 26 km, 2) in the East, along Bangna - Trad Road, approximately 21 km, 3) in the West, to Mahachai, approximately 27 km.

Further Projects (with approximate timetable):

1) Red Line Commuter (Bangsue - Talingchan) Bidding April 2007, Construction start October 2007, Completion March 2010

2) Purple Line (Bangsue - Bang Yai) Bidding May 2007, Construction start December 2007, Completion June 2011

3) Blue Ring (Bangsue - Tha Phra/Hua Lamphong - Bang Khae) Bidding December 2007, Construction start April 2008, Completion November 2012

4) Red Line Commuter (Bang Sue - Rangsit) Bidding October 2007, Construction start April 2008, Completion March 2012

5) Green Line (BTS Skytrain) Phaholyothin Extension (Mochit - Saphan Mai) bidding December 2007 Construction start June 2008, Completion March 2011

6) Red line commuter (Bangsue - Makkasan - Hua Mark) Bidding Dec 2007, Construction start June 2008 and Completion November 2012

This project is combined with the new Airport Link and Airport Transit between the current Don Muang Airport and the new Suvarnabhumi Airport.

See detailed diagram and map for more details.

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

- OPERATION

6:00 - 24:00, every 3 - 6 minutes, rush hours (7:00-9:00 and 17:00-20:00) every 2 minutes.

Photos © Neil Madhvani

- FARES

BTS (Green Line):

Single fare between 15 and 40 baht, depending on distance

Cash cards ("SmartPass") are available

1-Day Tourist Pass - 120 baht

MRTA (Blue Line):

Single fare 15-39 baht, depending on distance travelled.

BTS Skytrain Official Page

Bangkok Metro Company (Blue Line - official)

MRTA Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand

BMA-Mass Transit (Metro projects)

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