Bangkok Metro
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The entrance to Huai Khwang station |
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Platform at Si Lom station |
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Entrance to Silom Station (Interchange with BTS) |
The
Bangkok Metro, officially called the Mass Rapid Transit (
MRT), is
Bangkok's underground
metro system. It was constructed by the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) and operated by Bangkok Metro Public Company Limited (BMCL) under a 25-year concession. The MRT is officially known in Thai as
rotfaifah mahanakhon (รถไฟฟ้ามหานคร) or "metropolitan electric train", but it is more commonly called
rotfai taidin (รถไฟใต้à¸"ิน), literally, "underground train".
Besides the MRT, Bangkok also has an elevated rail system called
BTS or less officially the
Skytrain.
The construction of the first Bangkok Metro line, officially known as
Chaloem Ratchamongkhon (Thai สายเฉลิมรัชมงคล) – "Celebration of Royal Auspice" – or informally as the "Blue Line", began on
19 November,
1996. The project suffered multiple delays not only because of the 1997 economic crisis, but also due to challenging civil engineering works of constructing massive underground structures deep in the water-logged soil upon which the city is built.
The Blue Line was opened for a limited public trial over several weeks starting
April 13,
2004. On
July 3,
2004 the line was officially opened at 19:19 local time by
HM King Bhumibol and
Queen Sirikit, who were accompanied by other members of the royal family. Within 30 minutes of its opening, sightseers filled the system to its maximum capacity, but after the initial rush ridership has settled down to around 200,000 riders daily — considerably lower than projections of over 400,000, despite fares being slashed in half from 12-38 baht to 10-15 baht per trip. As of 2006, fares range between 14-36 baht per trip.
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Bangkok Metro Route Map |
The 21-kilometer, 18-station Blue line presently runs from
Bang Sue to
Hua Lamphong via
Phra Ram 9 and has a carrying capacity of 40,000 people in each direction per hour. Similar to the
Skytrain, the Metro uses trains supplied by
Siemens which travel up to 80km/h. Passengers can conveniently connect to the
Skytrain at
Si Lom,
Sukhumvit and
Chatuchak Park stations. The metro has a large depot in
Huai Khwang district, which is located between
Phra Ram 9 and
Thailand Cultural Centre stations. Considering that Bangkok is a low-lying plain which is prone to flooding, all of the Metro's station entrances are raised several metres above the ground level and are equipped with built-in floodgates in order to avoid water inundating the system. Lifts and ramps are found at all stations, providing easy access for passengers in wheelchair. Due to safety considerations,
platform screen doors are installed and uniformed security personnels are employed at each and every platform.
The ticketing system uses the RFID contactless technology with round tokens issued for single trips and contactless stored value cards for frequent travellers. In the near future, a joint ticketing system will be set up so that passengers can use a single ticket on the Metro as well as on the
Skytrain. Multi-storey park & ride facilities are provided at
Lat Phrao and
Thailand Cultural Centre. Motorists who park their cars at these premises will be issued with additional contactless smartcards and they need to have them electronically stamped at their destination station.
On
January 17,
2005, just after 09:15, an empty train returning to the depot collided with a peak-hour train filled with passengers at the
Thailand Cultural Centre station. 262 people were hurt, most of whom sustained only minor injuries, and the entire Metro network was shut down for two weeks.
After initial investigations, it was found that the empty train had run into problems before the accident, grinding to a halt on a curve leading to the depot. The driver applied its brake and was waiting to be towed to the maintenance centre close to
Thailand Cultural Centre station.
A rescue train was attempting to connect to the stricken train when the driver was told to release the brake. It was then that the empty train began to roll backwards at a speed of ten metres per second, before smashing into the other train, which was carrying passengers. Therefore, it was believed that the incident was caused by negligence. [
1]
The Metro resumed full operation on
February 1,
2005, and passenger numbers soon rose back to pre-crash levels, partly due to a temporary promotional fare scheme which allowed passengers to travel any distance on the MRT for only ten baht (~0.25 USD).
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Bang Sue – for Phahon Yothin Railway Station and Bang Sue Junction
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Kamphaeng Phet – for
Chatuchak Weekend Market;
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Chatuchak Park – for connection with the
Bangkok Skytrain's Mo Chit station and outdoor Park and Ride lots.
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Phahon Yothin – for
Central Plaza Lat Phrao*
Lat Phrao – with Park & Ride facility
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Ratchadaphisek*
Sutthisan*
Huai Khwang – for many massage and entertainment facilities
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Thailand Cultural Centre – with Park & Ride facility; interchange with the future "Orange Line"; about a 20-minute walk to the performing-arts venue; for Jusco, Carrefour and Robinson department stores
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Phra Ram 9 – for
Fortune Town shopping center and IT mall
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Phetchaburi*
Sukhumvit – for connection with the Skytrain's Asok station; nearby
Siam Society*
Queen Sirikit National Convention Center – for the
Stock Exchange of Thailand*
Khlong Toei*
Lumphini – for
Suan Lum Night Bazaar and Lumphini Park(Suan Lumphini).
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Si Lom – interchange with the Skytrain (Sala Daeng station); for
Lumphini Park*
Sam Yan – for
Chulalongkorn University*
Hua Lamphong – for
Hua Lamphong Railway Station
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The System Map of the planned Bangkok Rail Transit Network |
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The Master Plan of Bangkok Transport System |
As indicated by the Thai Government, the Metro network will be continually expanded over the next 5 years (2004-2009) in order to serve more commuters that reside in the suburbs. It is planned that, eventually, the combined route distance of the Metro alone will total 91km with 3 Metro lines covering all of the major areas of Bangkok. The Blue line, once completely extended, will form a lariat-shaped loop that circles the city.
The initial expansion plan can be summarised as follows:
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Blue Line extension:#
Bang Sue –
Bang Phlat – Tha Phra (13km)#
Hua Lamphong – Tha Phra –
Bang Khae (14km)
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Orange Line:
Bang Kapi – Sam Sen – Bang Bamru (24km)
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Purple Line:
Bang Yai – Sam Sen –
Rat Burana (40km)
Other expansion plans for the metro include:
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Yellow Line:
Lat Phrao – Sri Nagarindra –
Samut PrakanNote that these plans do not include the extension proposed for the
Skytrain.
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List of rapid transit systemsOfficial sites
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Bangkok Metro Company Limited*
Mass Rapid Transit Authority of ThailandUnofficial sites
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Bangkok subway history at at 2bangkok.com*
Bangkok Mass TransitDownloads
* Download
the System Map of Bangkok Rail Transit Network in PDF format
* Download
the Master Plan of Bangkok Transport Network in PDF format (includes proposed extensions)
* Download
Unofficial Technical Data 
