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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. All MRT stations are equipped with platform-screen-doors, which does not apply to any BTS station.

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.

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. Saphan Taksin station on the Silom Line was only planned as a temporary station, but as it offers an excellent connection to the Water Buses on Chao Phraya River, it remains open after the extension to Wongwian Yai, although its single-track section limits the capacity on the Silom Line. 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 planned to create an interchange with the future 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

 City Line & Airport Rail Link

28 km elevated line with 8 stations, standard gauge, from Phrayat Thai via Makkasan/City-Terminal to Suvarnabhumi Airport), every 15 minutes, shared with special non-stop airport express which departs from Makkasan/City-Terminal, opened for commercial operation on 23 August 2010

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) SRT Suburban Rail System (1000 mm gauge):

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

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

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

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

See detailed diagram and map for more details.

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.

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

BTS Skytrain Official Page

Bangkok Metro Company (Blue Line - official)

MRTA Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand

BMA-Mass Transit (Metro projects)

Airport Rail Link

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