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Entrance to the Skytrain. In the bottom right corner
is a boy about to go on the escalator (there's a wild bull in
his black backpack).
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Cartoon
Skytrain
Courtesy of Wisarut Bholsithi
2001 - This isn't really news, but is interesting
nonetheless. Local cartoonist Adisuk Pongsumpan has created a
continuing series in the comic Neoz that transpires on
the Skytrain. The antics include a girl named Kwang (a
common name meaning deer--she has antlers in the cartoon) who
has heard there is electricity under the train to make it go and
is thus afraid to touch the floor of the train. There is a also
a boy who brings a wild bull and an army of pigs on the train.
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Cartoonist Adisuk Pongsumpan
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More Skytrain Ephemera -
January, 2001 - BTS published this nifty booklet with detailed maps
of the areas and businesses around each Skytrain station. The layout
is really nicely done. On one side of the book is the Thai version
and on the back cover is the English version. Available at the Skytrain
stations (while supplies last) with the purchase or refill of a
500 baht ticket. |
(Photo: 2Bangkok.com)
Cover of the first-edition Skytrain Map
issued February, 2000 |
Cool! May, 2001 - An anonymous reader emailed us this very early
Skytrain design concept sketch. The final design looked nothing
like this. |
(Photo: 2Bangkok.com)
One of the first Skytrain commercial tie-ins--December,
1999
Dunkin' Donuts packaged its Munchkins (donut
holes)
in a long box shaped like the BTS Skytrain.
The Thai part reads, "The first Skytrain
in Thailand."
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Hawkers occupying the Skytrain stairways
BTSC asks BMA for immediate help
Summarized by Wisarut Bholsithi - Thairath Daily, December 18-19,
2000
Hawkers are occupying Skytrain
stairways in 6-7 stations and vagabonds are hanging around the stations
and sexually harassing female passengers. BTSC has asked BMA to solve
these problems.
BMA correspondents said BMA
received the letter from BTSC about the problems around the stations
in November 2000. The letter said passengers had complained that:
1) There were lots of hawkers obstructing the stairways at Saladaeng,
Thong Lo, Siam, Ratchathewee, Nana, and Victory Monument stations
2) Vagabonds at Ekkamai Station (Wat Thatthong side) are panhandling
and sexually harassing ladies who walk alone around the station.
3) Hawkers at Victory Monument have stolen 300 stainless steel covers
of sewage drains not far from the walkway installed by BTSC with a price
of 180,000 baht sell to junk yards. The company has to replace them
with the 300 welded cast iron covers which will cost the company 60,000
baht.
These problem will worsen
the situation during an emergency evacuation. Therefore, BTSC asks BMA,
Ratchathewee District Officer, and Bang Rak District Officer to solve
those problems. BMA said they will set a prohibition zone of 10 meters
from the stairways to ensure that the hawkers do not block the pathways
and stairways.
10-baht Microbus is a hit - Going to Open 2 More
Lines in Early February 2001
Summarized by Wisarut Bholsithi - Thairath Daily, December
21, 2000
Miss Pornthip Naranonkittikul, CEO of Bangkok
Microbus Co.Ltd. said that after starting the first 4 microbus lines
to feed the Skytrain with a ticket price of 10 baht and a guarantee
of seats, the company found that Microbus No.11 (Prachaniwet 3 - Mochit
Station) is the most popular line. The company will make an assessment
for about a month before opening a few more lines such as Donmuang-Mochit
and Tha Phrachan - Siam in early February 2001.
Miss Pornthip said the company has issued two
types of coupon books - a small one with 10 coupons (220 baht) and a
big one with 50 coupons (1000 baht) as a discount to normal ticket fee
of 25 baht since December 1, 2000. The company found that there
ia such strong demand for big coupon books that the company has to issue
them without limit during the new year season. The coupon books are
sold in Bangkok Microbus Co. Ltd. (Vibhavade and Sri Nakharin Branch),
Chulalongkorn Book Center, Kasetsart University Book Center, and Ramkhamhaeng
University Book Center and the Microbus inspectors inside the microbuses.
BTS say they didn't break the underground oil
pipelines at Phyathai Station
BTSC's ready to start construction of extensions after receiving
the cabinet approval
Summarized by Wisarut Bholsithi - Thairath Daily, December
28, 2000
BTSC say they did not break
the pipeline of the Pipeline Transportation Co. Ltd. at Phyathai Station
on December 27, 2000 since the company had asked the Pipeline Transportation
Co.Ltd. about the details three years ago and there were no problems
during and after the Skytrain construction. BTSC said the pipeline company
should investigate the actual causes of the broken pipeline which could
have resulted from the land subsiding or vibration from the Eastern
Railway and Phyathai Road. BTSC sent the construction plan to the Pipeline
Transportation Co. Ltd. to check if the Skytrain construction caused
the pipeline break down. There is no problem for the compensation since
both Pipeline Transportation Co.Ltd. and BTSC bought insurance policies
from the same insurance company.
Mr. Karun said that the cabinet
had approved the start of construction of extensions without calling
a new bid since they consider that the extensions are not the new lines,
just additional services. Now, BTSC is going to discuss with BMA about
the investment plan, the budget, and the ticket fees. So far, BTSC will
start the construction of the Eastern and the Southern Extension with
a distance of 11 km first. The Rama III Extension will be started after
finishing the first two extensions. Furthermore, BMA will peruse the
cabinet for the 3rd phase of extensions (Mochit-Lumlookka, Wongwian
Yai-Mahachai, Thepharak-Bangplee).
BMA feels no confidence that BTSC can construct
the Skytrain extensions
Summarized by Wisarut Bholsithi - Thairath Daily, December
13, 2000
The BMA Correspondent said that there was a
committee meeting about the Skytrain extensions according to 1992 Joint
Venture Act at the BMA City Hall. The committee said they had no confidence
that BTSC would be able to construct the Skytrain extensions since the
company is carrying a daily loss of 6 million baht (monthly loss of
180 million baht). Therefore, the committee will ask a consultant company
to study whether BTSC will have much better financial support and security
if the company decides to construct the extensions. Furthermore, there
will be a study of how much the minimum and maximum ticket fees will
be if BTSC decides to invest in all the extensions or if BTSC decides
to make a joint venture with other companies to invest in all the extensions.
The committee decided that the Samrong extension
(Onnut-Samrong) must be constructed first due to high population. After
that, the Taksin Extension (Saphan Sathon-Taksin) would be built, and
then the Rama III Extension (Chong Nonsee-Sathupradit). Even though
the cabinet approves all three lines, but the construction cannot be
started since BMTA is trying to pressure the cabinet to approve the
plan to negotiate with contractors who have strong interests in the
construction instead of calling a new bid to ensure that the Samrong
extension will be done by December 2002.
Update-December 14, 2000
and still waiting for a route decision
Four Proposed Lines for the Skytrain Northern
Extension (Mochit - Lum Lookka)
Summarized by Wisarut Bholsithi - Thairath Daily, Thursday
December 7, 2000
Pol. Maj. Yongyut Sarasombut,
OCMLT Secretariat, told the press that OCMLT has discussed with BTSC,
MRTA, SRT, BMA, MOTC, the Governor of Pathumthanee Province, and the
scholars about the best route for the Northern Extension of the Skytrain.
The results are 4 preliminary and proposed routes which can be shown
as follows:
1) From Mochit Station to Lum Lookka
via Phaholyothin Road and Lum Lokkka road - proposed by the consultant
company OCMLT hired, the one shown at the October OCMLT seminar
2) From Mochit Station and
connect with Hopewell at Bangsue Station. After that the route will
go along SRT railway by using the abandoned pillars as supports up to
Donmuang Station and then turn right at RTAF HQ to Lum Lokka - proposed
by OCMLT.
3) From Mochit Station to
Ratchayothin Intersection via Phaholyothin Road and then turn right
to go along Ratchadaphisek Inner Ring Road to Ratchada - Ladphrao
Intersection to Saphan Song. After that, the line will go along Lad
Phrao canal and Klong Song to Lum Lookka - Proposed by Governor Samak
4) From Mochit Station to
Lum Looka via Phaholyothin Road up to Ratchayothin and then turn left
along Ratchadaphisek inner ring road to Km11 Railways Community
and then use Hopewell pillar to go to Donmuang before turning right
to Lum Lookka.
The final decision about
the route will come up on December 12, 2000. So far, the consultant
company didn't point out which route is the best route for the Northern
extension. Therefore, OCMLT need to make another discussion regarding
to the construction cost, distance, upcoming problems, and of course
the economic returns and social effects - before making the final decision
from the data 15 agencies deliver to OCMLT. Furthermore, the Northern
extensions should connect with other mass transit systems such as Hopewell
and MRTA. The suitable connection should be at Ngam Wongwan area
- connecting with Hopewell at Bangkhen Station or so - since this will
connect with the proposed expressway.
Notes: Going along Phaholyothin Road up to RTAF Academy and then
turning right to Lum Lookka will be one of the best route except it
requires the demolition of Senanikhom Flyover - the unacceptable thing
for those who live from Kaset to Ratchayothin area. Using the abandoned
Hopewell pillars is quite a nice idea even though more people live along
Phaholyothin road those who live along Vibhavadee - Rangsit Highway.
I hope they will come up with the optimal route that pick as many passengers
as possible while minimizing social and environmental damage and of
course traffic jams.
Nevertheless, OCMLT should
have the BMTA bus route readjustment plan in their hands after realizing
the final route for the Northern extension to ensure that when Northern
extension becomes a reality, BTSC will have enough profit to break even
and pay all the loan plus interests as soon as possible.
Commentary by Ron: Send the Skytrain up Phahonyothin and demolish
the Senanikhom flyover. I work just north of Rachayothin intersection
and drive to work each day. Everyone in this overpopulated and congested
area seems to want the Skytrain to pass through. The traffic is often
at a standstill already (much of which is due to the Major Rachayothin
[a shopping mall and theater] constructed with pathetically inadequate
parking and nonexistent passenger loading zones). The flyover itself
makes the street level dark, polluted, and cave-like even at midday.
When it rains, cars driving overhead splash dirty water onto the sidewalks
below. A sensible mass transit solution like the Skytrain may be the
best solution, especially if this route can put the Skytrain in the
black.
Four lines are ready to facilitate BTSC passengers
Summarized by Wisarut Bholsithi - Thairath Daily, Thursday
November 30, 2000
Miss Pornthip Naranonkittikul,
the CEO of Microbus Co. Ltd., said that the company will start 4 feeder
lines for Skytrain passengers on December 1, 2000:
Special Airconditioned bus No. 9 - Bangbon - Saladaeng Station
Special Airconditioned bus No. 11 - Prachanivet 3 Village - Mochit Station
Special Airconditioned bus No. 13 - Paknam - Onnut Station
Special Airconditioned bus No. 14 - Ramkhamhaeng 2 (Bangna Campus) -
Onnut Station
Each line will have 10 feeder
buses and the passenger ticket is 10 baht with seats guaranteed. If
there are lots of passengers, the company will consider expanding the
feeder services.
Miss Pornthip said for the
regular microbus services, the normal fee is 25 baht. However, the company
suggests those who use the Microbus daily to buy a 220-baht coupon booklet
(10 tickets each) and a 1000-baht coupon book (50 tickets each). The
company cannot reduce the fee since the company has lots of expenses
to deal with such as counter fees for the bank to count coins. Therefore,
regular passengers should buy coupon books or booklets to get a big
discount and facilitate fee collecting.
As for fare cards that can
be used in both Skytrain and Microbus, it is pending in the BTSC committee.
Notes: There is an hourly feeder service from Mochit station
to Muangthong Thanee which helps passengers in Chaeng Watthana area,
especially those who live in Muangthong Thanee to ride the Skytrain.
However, the most logical way is to ride the BMTA bus No. 52 or a van
that goes to Mochit station. I hope that BTSC will approve the cards
that can be used in both Skytrain and Microbus as soon as possible.
Samak pushing for Skytrain extensions to start
this month and be completed in two years
Summarized by Wisarut Bholsithi - Dailynews, Tuesday December
5, 2000 (the 1st Year Anniversary for Skytrain Service)
Bangkok Governor Samak pushing
for Skytrain extensions to start this month and be completed in two
years. Furthermore, he asks BTSC to construct more Park & Ride facilities
close to the stations
In the afternoon of December
4, 2000, Governor Samak Sunthoravet came to Phayathai station for the
1st anniversary of the Skytrain and said the Skytrain has alleviated
traffic jams in BKK but it is too short to reach the edges of Bangkok.
Therefore, BMA will do its best to speed up the Southern and Eastern
extensions to be done within 2 years. Now the process is stuck in the
Cabinet to approve the contractor. However, Samak is still worried that
BTSC may no longer be able to pay the annual 10% loan interests to the
creditors. Therefore, it may be necessary for BMA to find another company
to bail BTSC out of the financial troubles and find a way
to ensure that the construction will start by the end of this month.
Governor Samak said BTSC
is at the loss due to the fact that the routes have few facilities to
connect the passengers of other modes of the land transpiration. Therefore,
he urges BTSC to find more places to construct park & ride facilities.
The daily service fee should be 40 baht for each car.
Notes: I hope that the caretaking cabinet will approve the right
contractor to ensure that the construction will be done and ready for
service on December 5, 2002. Italian-Thai PCL is the old contractor
of BTSC but the company's default on bond interest payments has pushed
the company into financial trouble. Ch. Karnchang PCL is okay but the
company should ensure that the MRTA stored-value tickets can be used
in both Skytrain and Subway. Other contractors may have little chance
to get into the extension project without the connection with either
Italian-Thai PCL or Ch. Karnchan PCL.
Samak Urges Immediate Construction
Summarized by Wisarut Bholsithi - Thairath Daily - Vol.
51 No. 15628, November 4, 2000
Mr. Samak Sunthoravet (BMA governor) said
that BTSC should start the construction of the BTS extensions immediately
since the cabinet has already approved the extensions. Furthermore,
BTSC has strong and steady financial resources to do so after they joined
Shanghai Metro Co. Ltd. in a new alliance. Therefore, it will be very
bad deal if NESDB imposes a red tape by forcing BMA to call a new bid
to construct these extensions instead of letting BTSC to construct them.
Such red tape will delay the extension project by 7-8 months. Therefore,
he will make an appointment to meet with Mr. Visanu Kruea-Ngam (the
Cabinet Secretary).
For the extension project, the 9-km Eastern
extension (Onnut-Samrong Tai) will be constructed first with a 300-meter
corridor connecting BITEC with Udomsuk Station as well as hotels along
the route to facilitate a physicians' group who will come to a convention
at BITEC in the next two years. It will take 18 months to construct
the Eastern extension. The Southern extension can be delayed since BTSC
is running a feeder bus from Surasak Station to Wong Wian Yai.
Notes: Old Samak has hit the nail on the head! It would be much
cheaper to construct a corridor connecting BTS stations with significant
places (e.g. hotels, department stores, trade centers or so) than manipulating
the route from the plan. NESDB should loosen up the red tape to ensure
that the construction will be done on time.
BTS to issue tickets for Skytrain and Microbus
in 2001
Skytrain gets lots of passengers even during the October school vacation
Summarized by Wisarut Bholsithi - Thairath Daily - Vol.
51, No. 15630, November 6, 2000
Mr. Karun Chanthrangsu,
a BTSC committee member, said BTSC will issue tickets that can be used
in both Skytrain and Microbus to facilitate mass transit connections.
So far, BTSC and Microbus Co. Ltd. are discussing which Microbus lines
will join this project, the lifetime of the connection ticket (either
within a single day or a few day period), and ticket fees. If the negotiation
goes as planned, the new tickets will be issued by Microbus and BTSC
not later than January 2001.
Mr. Karun also said that the number of Skytrain
passengers increased even during the vacation period of October--170,000
passengers a day at the beginning of vacation and 200,000 passengers
a day on October 27, 2000. Such a phenomena shows that Bangkokians have
become more willing to use Skytrain service instead of getting stuck
in traffic jams. Therefore, BTSC will launch continuing campaigns. BTSC
is going to discount ticket fees and issue free commemorative gifts
on December 5, 2000--the first year anniversary of BTSC.
BMA-OCMLT joining to survey for the Northern BTSC
Extension
Summarized by Wisarut Bholsithi - Travel and Transportation
Journal - Vol. 4, No. 178
Monday November 6, 2000-Sunday November 12,2000
Samak is asking OCMLT to
study the feasibility of the route for the Northern extension of the
Skytrain. Pol. Maj. Yongyut Sarasombut replies that it will take a few
months to study the details.
Mr. Samak Sunthoravet (BMA governor) said after
the route survey for the Northern extension of Skytrain that this survey
is merely a preliminary survey since there are four proposed routes
which will take time for OCMLT to study before deciding on the final
route.
So far, there are 4 proposed routes for the
Northern Extension of Skytrain:
(1) Construction along Phaholyothin Road and
then turning right to Lum Lukka with a construction cost of about 24
billion baht (about US$600 million). (OCMLT proposed this route.)
(2) Using Hopewell Structure up to Prem Pracha
Station and then going along the border of the BMA area and Klong Song
with a construction cost of about 22 billion baht (about US$550 million)
(3) Construction along Bang Sue, Lad Phrao,
and Klong Song with a construction cost of 30 billion baht (US$ 750
million). (Samak's proposed route)
(4) Construction along Phaholyothin Road and
then turning right to Bang Khen station via Ngam Wongwan Road before
going along Hopewell line with a construction cost of 25 billion baht
(US$ 625 million).
The thorniest issue for the Northern extension
via Phaholyothin road is the section from Soi Sena Nikhom 1 (Phaholyothin
32) to Kasetsart University since it is necessary to demolish a 1.2km
flyover. Local folks from Senanikhom to Kasetsart University may reject
such a route since they have seen what happened to the folk living in
the Saphan Kwai area after the demolition of a flyover.
Mr. Yongyut also said OCMLT is going to the
engineering and financial feasibility, economic and environment impact,
political support from BMA and the central government, and popular acceptability.
So far, all 4 routes are technically feasible, but the financial feasibility
is the next factor for the consideration. Construction along canals
costs BMA 10-20% more than construction along Phaholyothin Road and
20-30% more than construction along Hopewell route. OCMLT will spend
a few months studying the detail and writing a report before inviting
BMA, MRTA, SRT to discuss the extension proposal.
Notes: With such preliminary information, Samak and BTSC should
discuss with the SRT the proposal to construct the Northern extension
on the Hopewell project partial revival (Bangsue-Rangsit). If SRT accepts
the deal, it will be much easier to push the Northern project forward
with the cheapest budget. Furthermore, BMA should discuss with the BMTA
concerning the bus route readjustment to ensure that there will be some
feeder to the Skytrain if Northern extension become reality.
Another view point is that an area along Phaholyothin
Road has much higher population density than that of Vibhavadee Rangsit
Highway. The higher construction costs will be balanced by the large
number of passengers. We will wait and see the final decision about
the Northern extension and the political support to ensure that it will
become a reality within 10 years.
OCMLT proposes four routes for the Northern BTS
Extension
Summarized by Wisarut Bholsithi - Matichon Daily, October
20, 2000
At 7am on October 19, 2000,
the Bangkok Governor, the BMA Deputy Governor, the OCMLT Secretariat,
and officers from BMA and OCMLT rode a boat from Wat Lad Phrao to go
along Bang Bua, Thanon Canal to Klong Song (Canal 2) Watergate in Sai
Mai District to make a survey of the route for BTS Northern Extension
(Mochit-Lam Lookka).
Mr. Samak said OCMLT had made 4 proposed routes
for the Northern BTS Extension:
1) Going along Phaholyothin Road to Kaset and then
turning right to Kaset - Nawamin Road before turning left to go along
Lad Phrao canal to Lam Lookka.
2) Sam Sen canal from Victory Monument to Klong Tan
and then going along Saen Saeb and Lad Phrao Canal to Lam Lookka.
3) Going along Phaholyothin Road to Km 24 (Royal
Thai Airforce Academy Curve) to Hok Wah Canal and ending up at Lam Lookka--a
proposed route from the OCMLT October Seminar
4) Going along Vibhavadee Highway to Chokchai Ruam
Mit Lane and then go to Bang Sue canal to Lad Phrao 48 Road (Phibool
Upatham Lane) and Saphan Song area and then go along Lad Phrao Canal
to Lam Lookka--Samak's proposed route
After the survey, OCMLT said the canal area
is about 30 meters wide. Furthermore, it requires the raising of concrete
pillars along the canal bank which necessitates the removal of 1-3 houses
for each pillar. Samak responses that he will move those evicted families
to his corn cob apartments not far from their old neighborhoods.
Mr. Samak said OCMLT will listen what OCMLT
and other people say before making a final decision about the Northern
extension since OCMLT is going to collect the data about passenger density,
feasibility, and other necessary information.
Notes: Samak may be right to select such a route (the route along
the canal) to avoid competition with BMTA buses. However, it would be
very nice if the BTSC has designed station positions in the following
manners:
1) To connect with MRTA Blue line at Ratchada Station
2) To connect with piers along Lad Phrao canal
3) To connect with BMTA bus stops so BMTA buses will
feed the Skytrain. In such a case, BMTA needs to move its bus stops
as close to the Skytrain station as possible.
BMA should also deal the following tasks to ensure
that Skytrain will pick up as many passengers as possible:
1) Revive the boat line from Onnut to Saphan Mai
via Klong Tan after it went out of service in 1999. The piers should
be at the position to feed the mass transit lines if possible.
2) Ask the Correction Department (Krom Ratchathan)
to send convicts to dig the Bang Khen and Premprachakorn canals deep
and wide enough for express boats to run so that BMA will be able to
open the new boat routes to feed Skytrain as well as other mass transit
lines.
3) If Suvannabhum Airport (a new name of Nong Ngoo
Hao Airport named by His Majesty The King) becomes a reality, BMA should
run a boat service from Suvannabhum Airport to Donmuang Airport as a
temporary measure to feed the passengers to both airports.
Furthermore, Nai Lert boat (from Pratoo Nam
to Chachoeng Sao via Saen Saeb canal) and Nai Lert bus (from Yot Se
to Pratoo Nam via Rama I Road) once fed Bang Lamphoo Tramway. These
were a few good samples of transportation
networks during a good old days. Gee, could Samak make new networks
resembling those networks in the past (before the 1960's)? Probably,
Bangkokians will have to do it on their own!
New Ad
There is a new ad from BTSC about 30-day passes for those who don't
travel as much (as opposed to the previous 30 trips pass):
Summarized by Wisarut Bholsithi - Than
Setthakij Business Newspaper
September 21-23, 2000
According to a map in this article, Samak has
proposed to extend Skytrain from Victory Monument to go along Sam Sen
Canal (small canal near Victory Monument) to Klong Tan and then turn
left to go along Lad Phrao canal to Sai Mai District (with a distance
of 23.4 km) and then go along Klong Hok Wah 11 km more to Lum Lookka
District. The net distance for the Northern Extension is 24.5 + 11 =
35.5 km
For the southern extension of the Skytrain,
Samak has proposed that it should go along Krung Thonburi Road and then
turn left to Taksin Road, passing Sam Reh, Mahai Sawan, Dao Khanong
and then turn right to Jom Thong Road and then turn left at Jom Thong
Station and go along Mahachai Railway to Mahachai. The total Distance
will be 2.2 + 10 + 24.5 = 36.7 km
For the eastern extension, it will go from
Onnut and then turn left to BITEC at Bang Na Intersection. After reaching
BITEC, the line will u-turn to Bang Na and then go along Sukhumvit Road
to Thepharak Intersection and turn left to Bang Plee (at Bangplee-Ladkrabang
Intersection). The total distance is 21.9 km.
The list of stations will be as follows:
Thepharak Extension - 21.9 km
E9 Bang Jak - Sukhumvit 62
E10 Thamm Mongkhon - Sukhumvit 101
E11 Udomsuk - Sukhumvit 103
E12 BITEC - Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Center
E13 Bearing - Sukhumvit 107, Bangkok Boundary Pole
E14 Samrong - Sukhumvit 113, Wat Dan Samrong
E15 Thepharak - Thepharak Intersection
E16 Mahawong - Mahawong Canal
E17 Sri Nakharin - Sri Nakharin - Thepharak Intersection
E18 Bang Ping - Bang Ping canal
E19 Nam Daeng - Nam Daeng Market
E20 Bang Kaeo - near Outer Ring Road
E21 Srisuk - Srisuk Market
E22 Bang Plee - Bang Plee - Lad Krabang Intersection
Southern Extension 36.7 km
S7 Krung Thonburi - near Charoen Nakhon Intersection
S8 Wongwian Yai - Taksin - Krung Thonburi intersection near Wongwian
Yai
S9 Samreh - Samreh Market
S10 Mahaisawan - Mahaisawan Intersection not far from Bangkok 2 Bridge
S11 Dao Khanong - near Dao Khanong canal
S12 Bang Khunthian - Bang Khuntian Market
S13 Jomthong - a community not far from Jomthong District
S14 Wat Sai - a temple that used to have a floating market but now the
floating markets are in Damnoen Saduak, Tha Kha, and Taling Chan
S15 Wat Singha - a temple founded during the late Ayudhaya period
S16 Bang Bon - a community not far from Bang Bon district
S17 Kang Kheha - public housing set up by NHA in Bang Bon district
S18 Rang Sakae - probably corrupted from Bang Sakae, literally means
a canal community with Sakae tree
S19 Rang Pho - probably corrupted from Bang Pho, literally means a canal
community with a Pho tree
S20 Sam Yaek - literally means a 3-way intersection - probably a village
near an intersection with Ekkachai Road or so
S21 Prom Daen - literally means the Border Line - the last station before
coming out of Bangkok to Mahachai
S22 Bang Nam Juead - literally means a canal community of fresh water
- the first station in Mahachai
S23 Khok Kwai - literally means a buffalo (or cattle) pen
S24 Ban Khom - literally Khmer village - used to be a Khmer community
before being assimilated into Siamese society
S25 Klong Jak - literally means nipa palm canal - nipa palms usually
grow in the area where salt and fresh water meet - mangrove tree area
S26 Mahachai - a terminal near Samut Sakhon Provincial Hall
Northern Extension 35.5 km
N9 Din Daeng - near Din Daeng Intersection
N10 Makkasan - Near Makkasan Railway Depot
N11 Rama 9 - Junction with MRTA Blue line at Rama IX Station
N12 RCA - Royal City Avenue, Entertainment area for yuppies in Bangkok
N13 Soi Soonwijai
N14 Ekkamai Nuea - Northern Ekkamai
N15 Saen Saeb - Saen Saeb canal near Rama IX pond
N16 Rama IX Temple - Rama IX Temple and Bangkok Japanese School
N17 Prachauthit - Prachauthit Road
N18 Janthima - Ladphrao 80 Road, a short cut to Ratchadaphisek and Ladphrao
Road
N19 Saphan 2 - Lad Phrao Road near Chokchai 4 Road
N20 Wat Lad Phrao, Lad Phrao Buddhist temple
N21 Chandrakasem - near Rajabhat Institute of Chandrakasem (one of 36
teacher colleges in Thailand)
N22 Sena Nikhom - Phaholyothin 32 Road, a shortcut Lad Plakhao and Chokchai
4 via Wang Hin Intersection
N23 Lad Plakhao - near Kaset-Nawamin Road
N24 Bang Bua - near Wat Bang Bua, The 11th Infantry Regiment - Royal
Guard
N25 Bang Khen - near Rajabhat Phra Nakhon, Chomchon Soi Kawee (Poem
Lane Neighborhood)
N26 Saphan Mai - Sphan Mai Flee market
N27 Wat Ko - near Wat Ko and RTAF Housing
N28 Sai Mai - near RTAF Academy
N29 Khoo Khot - near Klong 2
N30 Wat sai Mai - near Klong 3
N31 Wat Klong Khan - near Klong 4
N32 Klong 5 - near Eastern Outer Ring Road
N33 Wat Prachum Ratsadorn - near Klong 6
N34 Lum Lookka - near Klong 7 and Lum Lookka District, the intersection
between Lum Lookka and Nimit Mai Road
October 2000
Notes: If Samak successfully realizes
the Southern Extension of the Skytrain to Mahachai, the list of station
will be as follows:
S7 Krung Thonburi (AKA Charoen Nakhon) - the station will be on Krung
Thonburi Road near Charoen Nakhon Intersection
S8 Wongwian Yai (AKA Wongwian Yai Railway Station) - the busiest circle
in Thonburi side of Bangkok
S9 Talad Ploo (AKA Wat Pho Nimit) - one of the old trade centers in
Thonburi
S10 Klong Ton Sai - literally means Banyan Tree Canal - a community
in Thonburi
S11 Jomthong - a community not far from Jomthong District
S12 Wat Sai - a temple that used to have a floating market but now the
floating markets are in Damnoen Saduak, Tha Kha, and Taling Chan
S13 Wat Singha - a temple founded during the late Ayudhaya period
S14 Bang Bon - a community not far from Bang Bon district
S15 Kang Kheha - public housing set up by NHA in Bang Bon district
S16 Rang Sakae - probably corrupted from Bang Sakae, literally means
a canal community with Sakae tree
S17 Rang Pho - probably corrupted from Bang Pho, literally means a canal
community with a Pho tree
S18 Sam Yaek - literally means a 3-way intersection - probably a village
near an intersection with Ekkachai Road or so
S19 Prom Daen - literally means the Border Line - the last station before
coming out of Bangkok to Mahachai
S20 Bang Nam Juead - literally means a canal community of fresh water
- the first station in Mahachai
S21 Khok Kwai - literally means a buffalo (or cattle) pen
S22 Ban Khom - literally Khmer village - used to be a Khmer community
before being assimilated into Siamese society
S23 Klong Jak - literally means nipa palm canal - nipa palms usually
grow in the area where salt and fresh water meet - mangrove tree area
S24 Mahachai - a terminal near Samut Sakhon Provincial Hall
The distance from Wong Wian Yai to Mahachai is about 33 km and the distance
from Taksin Bridge to Wong Wian Yai is about 2 km. Therefore, the total
distance is about 35-36 km for the southern extension of the Skytrain.
The Skytrain Construction to Samroong Ready to
Feed BITEC - Starting in this November
Summarized by Wisarut Bholsithi - Dailynews, Bangkok Metro
Section, September 15, 2000
Bangkok Governor Samak ordered
BTS to go forward with the construction of the Eastern extension (Onnut
- Samrong) to feed BITEC (a convention center) in 18 months. BTS accepted
the order, with a condition that BMA must be one of the investors of
this extension project so BMA will share the construction debts with
BTS. The Eastern extension will start on this November with a budget
of 20 billion baht.
At 10:30 on September 14, Samak Sunthoravet, Bangkok
governor came to Mochit Station to perform an opening ceremony for the
escalator service. Samak told the press that this day was the fist day
he used the Skytrain service, and he praised the Skytrain service saying
it was definitely clean, very comfortable and safe, with awesome scenes
along the routes. Therefore, he decided to pursue OCMLT to put his these
extensions with a total distance of about 100 km into the revised masterplan.
So far, the consultant company hired by BMA is making a survey on all
three routes.
Since the Skytrain has been approved to extend from
Onnut to Samrong and Taksin Bridge to Wongwian Yai, Samak decided to
order the BTS to extend it from Onnut to Samrong, with a modification
to pick up passengers at BITEC due to its significance as an international
convention and business center. The construction will begin in this
November and finish in the next 18 months so it will be ready for service
on the Coronation Day (May 5, 2002). BTSC will take charge of the construction
and service. However, BMA and BTS will discuss and negotiate the
financial responsibilities for this project.
Mr. Khiree Kanchanaphak, BTS CEO said the company
is ready to construct this extension immediately since the company has
financial resources to cover the project which is about 20 billion baht
(US$500 million). However, BTS would use only a fraction of that
loan, and would ask BMA for the rest so BMA will share the construction
costs with BTS and become an underwriter for BTS. BTS will also
negotiate with BMA about the route and the feasibility to construct
a detour to BITE as well as financial responsibility. BTS said
it needed government support so BTS can realize the detour to BITEC.
So far, BTS now has enough revenue to feed itself:
about 200,000 passengers a day is enough to cover the daily operational
costs of 5 million baht. However, BTS has delayed the daily interest
payments of 10 million baht to creditors.
Notes: The reason BTS is able to open the escalator service is
that Siemens (BTS creditor and a rolling stock provider) and the escalators
installation contractors are both German firm so it is possible to make
a quick negotiation. Also, BTS decided to delay an IPO due to the bear
market condition in SET. However, BTSC must make an IPO by November
15, 2000 or the company has to resubmit the IPO form to SEC.
Samak Insists He Will Not Nationalize BTS, Defends
Skytrain Extensions
Summarized by Wisarut Bholsithi - Dailynews, Bangkok Metro
Section, August 29, 2000
Samak insisted BMA won't
buy BTSC to become a state enterprise under BMA, but he would definitely
help the BTSC with a join venture for BTSC extensions.
Mr. Samak Suthoravet, BMA Governor, repsonded
to the criticism (see article below) from the
officers of BMA Traffic and Transportation Bureau who pointed out that
Samak's plan to extend the Skytrain to Lumlookka, Mahachai, and Bang
Plee would push the extension plan back to the beginning due to the
new studies and other red tape, saying that such a person was talking
without using his head to think. The reason Samak make such a response
was that the old OCMLT masterplans (both heavy-rail lines and the feeders)
have already marked the lines to construct the Skytrains close to the
extensions he proposed. He simply extended the routes a little more.
For the investment plan, BTSC takes charge on the plan since the company
has a concession while BMA finds potential investors.
Mr. Samak said even though Mr. Khiree Kanchanaphak
has asked BMA to buy the Skytrain and proposed the nationalization of
Skytrain to lower the fare, BMA would decline to do so since BMA dioes
not have enough money. In the current economic downturn, BMA cannot
absorb losses from BTSC but instead find a way to extend the routes
which will help BTSC in the long run.
BTSC told the BTS customers that from August
26, 2000, free shuttle buses for Skytrain customers will run from 7AM
to 10:30PM instead of 6AM to midnight. Furthermore, BTSC has readjusted
three shuttle bus routes such as Mochit-SCB Park Plaza, Mochit-Central
Ladphrao, Ekkamai (Sukhumvit 63)-Thong Lo (Sukhumvit 55).
Notes: Samak should listen to what his men are thinking about
the projects and make compromises that will make everyone happy and
complete the extension projects. However, Samak's notorious for being
a grumpy old man so delicate negotiations and compromise are very critical
things. One of the compromises I see as the best deal for both is that
Samak should approve the old three extensions first so the construction
of those extension can start. After that, Samak can extend the routes
to Mahachai, Bang Plee, and Lum Lookka in the way he would like to do
so. However, there must be some readjustments for the 3rd phase which
I'll make my opinion as follows:
1) Mahachai Extension from Wongwian Yai Railway Station
to Machai - No need for any new adjustment since everything looks fine.
2) Bang Plee Extension via Thepharak Road - this
line should have a Sri Nakharin extension from Lum Salee Intersection
to Thepharak-Sri Nakharin intersection to ensure that it belongs to
BMA, not Samut Prakarn City Hall. Even better, Bang Plee extension should
also extend to Nong Ngoo Hao Airport via King Kaeo Road.
3) Lum Lookka Extension via Lad Phrao Canal - It
may not be a good deal to construct the extensions along the canal.
The alternatives could be as follows:
3.1) Reviving the canal taxi boats along Lad Phrao
Canal (Saphan Mai-Klong Tan-Onnut) as a feeder for Lum Lookka Extension
which will render the construction along the canals unnecessary. To
make the feeder possible, the taxi boat vendors should issue tickets
that can be used to ride a boat and Skytrain (single fare of course!)
- tickets with 2 parts - one for boat and the other for Skytrain - for
those who want to make a long journey. BMA will get the boat routes
along the canals
back from Harbor Department by 2003, so Samak will be able to stretch
the routes of feeder boats to serve the people in suburbs to travel
into the City Center as he wants to do so.
3.2) Making the extension from Mochit to go along
Vibhavadee Rangsit Highway to Ratchavibah Intersection
3.3) Turning right to go along Ratchadaphisek to
Ratchada-Ladphrao Intersection to pick up passengers at SCB Park Plaza
and Major Cineplex, Rajabaht Chandarakasem, Ministry of Justice and
the courts and make a transfer station with MRTA Blue line at Lad Phrao
Station
3.4) Turning left to go along Lad Phrao Road, making
a transfer
station to Lad Phrao pier to ride a feeder boat (Saphan Mai-Onnut),
and Chokchai 4 Road to ride a shuttle van to Lad Pla Khao (Ram Indra
Km.2). Keep going until it reaches Ram Indra-Atnarong Expressway
3.5) Turning left along Luang Pradit Manootham Road
(the road
under Ram Indra -Atnarong Expressway) to Rama Indra Road at
Nuanchan Intersection (It is possible to go along Lad Phrao Road up
to Bang Kapi Intersection, turn left to go along Nawamin Road to Charakhae
Bua and turn left to Ram Indra Road. However it requires to demolish
Bang Kapi flyover which would be a very unpopular measure.)
3.6) Going along Ram Indra Road to pick up the passengers
at Bang Khen, Lad Plakhao, and Ram Indra Km4.
3.7) Turning right at Lak Si Circle to go along Phahol
Yothin Road. There will be a transfer station to a feeder boat at the
bridge near Wat Kau and RTAF to pick passengers at Saphan Mai.
3.8) Turning right to go along Lum Lookka Road to
Lum Lookka.
3.9) Readjust the BMTA bus routes to fit the new
mass transit systems.
New routes Require Approval
from 13 Agencies
Heavy Criticism on Extension Projects: Back to the First Step?
Summarized by Wisarut Bholsithi - Dailynews, Bangkok Metro
Section, August 28, 2000
According to the report
from BMA City Hall, the officers of the BMA Traffic and Transportation
Bureau have strong objections to Samak's plan to make three new extensions
since such a plan will push the extension projects back to the beginning.
Governor Samak's attempts to readjust the Skytrain extension routes
will force the project to turn backwards since it requires new studies,
new environmental reports, new approvals from 13 agencies, and new cabinet
approval even though the cabinet have already approved the old extensions
and is just waiting for a signature from the contractor. It is also
impossible to realize all three new extensions within 4-year term of
BMA governor since it requires new studies on the routes, feasibility,
problems and obstacles. It is also requires BMA to write new environmental
impact reports before getting approval from 13 agencies (e.g. MOTC,
MOF, OCMLT, NESDB etc.) and eventually cabinet approval before calling
for contractors.
The existing three extensions (Onnut-Samrong,
Taksin-Wongwian Yai, and Mochit-Ratchayothin) had been studied since
the term of Capt. Kritsada Arunwongse Na Ayudhaya, the former BMA governor
from 1992-1996, and had passed all the necessary steps before being
signed signing by the BMA governor and the viable contractors. This
process took more than four years.
SRT Joining BMA to
Extend Skytrain by Giving Some of Its Land
Samak Trying to Woo China to Invest in the Extension and Ring Road
Line
Summarized by Wisarut Bholsithi - Thaipost Daily, August
23, 2000
Samak Sunthoravet, Bangkok
governor, said he had met Mr. Sarawut Thammasiri, Director of State
Railways of Thailand (SRT) to discuss land allocation to construct the
BTS extension from Taksin Station to Mahachai via Wongwian Yai Station.
The distance from Taksin Station to Wongwian Yai Station is about 2.5-2.6
km and the distance from Wongwian Yai Station to Mahachai is about 28
km. Therefore, the Mahachai extension (AKA the Southern Extension of
the Skytrain) will be about 30-31 km long.
Mr. Sarawut told Samak that he felt glad to
allow BMA to construct the Skytrain extension, and that SRT was going
to join with BTSC to invest in this project. However, SRT was going
to allow BMA to use only a 10-meter-wide strip of the 20-meter-wide
strip SRT owns since SRT has to reserve some space to construct new
rails linking Hua Lamphong Station to Wongwian Yai station in the future.
The SRT and BMA will set up a committee to discuss the details of this
extension project.
Also, the German ambassador in Thailand has
sent a letter to Mr. Samak to discuss the 37-million-baht government
loan for the feasibility study. Mr. Samak said he expected that the
Mahachai extension would be the first extension to be started.
Furthermore, Mr. Samak discussed with Mr. Sarawut
the Bangkok Satellite City Projects which will be started at the construction
of the new commuter lines. The first line will start from Makasan Station
(SRT Depot) to Chachoengsao. Actually, there is an Eastern SRT line
stretching from Yommaraj to Laem Chabang (Deep Seaport) and Aranyaprathet
(Border town to Cambodia). However, the eastern commuter line running
from Hua Lamphong to Hua Takhae does not have enough capacity to carry
Bangkokians to and from both ends. Therefore, the new commuter tracks
are necessary to allow Bangkok to expand as it needs. In the future,
there will be a new mass transit loop running along the Kanchanaphisek
Outer Ring Road which has a distance of about 100 km. However, Samak
needs to discuss this with the Highway Department before proposing this
line.
Samak said at end of this September, he is
going to have a meeting with other 31 Asian city governors so he will
have a chance to talk with representatives from China about the investment
in Skytrain extensions and the Kanchanaphisek Loop Line since China
has very strong interest in these two megaprojects.
Notes: Samak may need to consider replacement housing for neighborhoods
living along the Maeklong Line in the same way he did for the neighborhoods
along Land Phrao Canal (see article below). For the Kanchanaphisek Loop
Line, it is a great deal but Samak will have to link the East-West section
running from Bang Khunthian to Bangkhae, Talingchan, Bang Yai, Bang
Buathong, Bang Pa In, Lum Lookka, Minburi, Saphan Soong, Onnuj, and
Bang Plee. Southern section will be start after the Southern section
of Kanchaphisek Outer
Ring Road becomes a reality which will need several years to do so.
Soothing the Neighborhoods Around Lad Phrao Canal
Samak Guarantees New Apartments for the Neighborhood Families
Summarized by Wisarut Bholsithi - Thai Post Daily, August
22, 2000
(Bangkok Governor) Samak
guarantees new apartments for those who surrender the land along Lad
Phrao Canal for the BTSC Northern Extension by negotiating with the
National Housing Authority to allocate new apartments for them, so there
is no need to panic.
Mr. Samak Suthoravet said he would ask the
neighborhoods to surrender some land along the canal to BMA for the
construction since it is necessary to raise the concrete pillars along
the canal banks.
"BMA doesn't want to make the people along
the canals to panic since BMA's ready to find new apartments not far
from their old neighborhoods to accommodate them." He'll discuss with
NHA (National Housing Authority - www.nha.or.th) to get some advice
and agreements to construct new apartments to accommodate BMA officers
and their families as well as the poor neighborhoods along the canal.
He'll ask NHA to allow big families (a family that has 2 or more children)
to have 2 units (rooms) of an apartment for each big family.
However, Col. Winai Somphongse, Samak's
rival, said Bangkok's traffic problems come not from the lack of mass
transit system but the lack of traffic discipline. It would be much
better off to use BMA Municipal Affair officers (Jao Nath Thee Thessakit)
to become traffic volunteers by getting some traffic control training
from the Traffic Police Bureau since BMA Municipal Affair officers no
longer deal with hawkers every Wednesday as they used to do (note: after
Samak was elected, he ending the Wednesday ban on food vendors on sidewalks).
Supporting BTS Extension to Mahachai
OCMLT Agrees with Samak to Use the SRT Route
Costs: 6-7 Billion Baht
Summarized by Wisarut Bholsithi - Thairath Daily, August
19, 2000
Bangkok Governor Samak Suthoravet
discussed with Pol. Maj. Yongyut Sarasombut the Skytrain Extensions
at the OCMLT building on the morning of August 18. After the 40-minute
discussion, Mr. Samak said OCMLT agreed with his proposal, but still
had some differences about the details.
1) Eastern Extension - Samak wants to extend to Bangplee via Sukhumvit
Road and Thepharak Road while OCMLT wants to follow the cabinet-approved
route to Samrong Tai via Sukhumvit Road.
2) Northern Extension - Samak wants to extend to Lum Lookka via
Samsen Canal, Bangsue Canal, and Ladphrao Canal while OCMLT wants to
go along Phaholyothin Road and Lumlookka Road. Otherwise, this extension
could go along Vibhavadee Highway and then use the northern section
of Hopewell project to Lak Hok and then turn right to Lum Lookka.
3) Southern Extension - Samak wants to extend to Mahachai via
Taksin Road and Ekkachai Road while OCMLT suggests that it should go
along Maeklong Railway Line.
Samak said he will discuss with the German
Embassy concerning the 37-million baht loan for the feasibility study
to find the best routes for those extensions. After those talks, he
will negotiate with private investors who want to deal with these extension
projects.
Samak said since Bangkok expands so fast that
many Bangkokians have moved to suburbs. Therefore, it would be a much
better deal if the Skytrain had been expanded at that time as far as
possible instead of constructing one by one as Dr. Bhichit has planned.
After the long extensions are done, the fare should be a flat rate at
20-25 baht since the extension would be able to carry a million passengers
a day. Samak said he won't guarantee that all the extensions will be
done within his 4-year term, but he'll start all 3 extensions at the
same time.
Pol. Maj. Yongyut said OCMLT will study
these extensions in detail to fit them into the revised mass transit
master plan. When the final draft of the master plan is done, OCMLT
will deliver it to the Traffic Committee and Cabinet to get approval.
JICA has advised OCMLT that the success of
mass transit systems depends on complete networks, good extensions,
and a fare structure fitting into passengers' budgets. These three elements
of success depends on strong and steady financial resources. So far,
the Northern and Eastern extensions will need about 30 billion baht
and Southern extension will need 6-7 billion baht to realize them. The
Southern extension (Taksin-Mahachai) has the strongest potential to
be finished and to be put into service due to strong demand from Thonburi
people, and it will take about 3 years to finish this extension. However,
BMA needs to negotiate with SRT first so BMA can start the construction
of Southern extension immediately.
The Best Transport
Asiaweek August 18-25, 2000
"Bangkok's new Skytrain, a mere
23-km system, is already credited with improving traffic by about 4%.
Which is why cities around the region are investing in rail lines. Singapore
is to extend its 83 km of mass-rail lines by another 20 km. In China,
Beijing is adding 13.5 km to its existing system, compared to 23 km
in Guangzhou and 27 km for Shanghai. Delhi is fast coming into line
too. The Indian capital expects to have a 55-km network in place by
2005 — along with an astounding 50% reduction in air pollution." The
complete article is here.
Major New Extensions
Proposed!!!
Samak Drawing Skytrain Extensions to Bang Plee - Mahachai - Lumlookka
Summarized by Wisarut Bholsithi - Daily News (www.dailynews.co.th),
issue August 9, 2000, Bangkok Metro Section
(New Bangkok Governor) Mr. Samak
plans ahead for BTS extensions to Samut Sakhon, Samut Prakarn and Pathumthanee
to boost passengers to the one-million-passengers-a-day level. He has
negotiated with BTSC creditors about his plan to finance the project
and with OCMLT to push his proposal into the national agenda for upcoming
government to get cabinet approval.
Mr. Samak Sunthoravet, BMA governor said he
was going to discuss with OCMLT the proposal to make three new Skytrain
extensions since the three cabinet-approved extensions are still too
short to serve Bangkokians who live in suburb areas. Samak's Skytrain
extensions are as follows:
1) Lumlookka Extension: From Mochit Station to go
along with Bangsue Canal, Ladphrao Canal, Bangbua Canal, Thanon Canal
(Ladphrao, Bangbua and Thanon canals are the same canal but different
names in the different places), Ying Charoen Flea Market (a major flea
market in the Northern Bangkok in Phaholyothin Road in addition to See
Mum Muang Farmer market and Thai Flee Market along Vibhavadee Highway
and Chatuchak Weekend Market), and then going along Sai Mai Road (Phaholyothin
54 Road), Km 25th Lane, Lum Lookka Road, Eastern Outer Ring Road to
Lum Lookka District office in Pathum Thanee.
2) Bang Plee Extension: From Onnut Station going
along Sukhumvit road to Samrong and then turning left to go along Thepharak
Road which intersects Sri Nakharin Road. The line will end up at Bang
Plee District Office, Samut Prakarn.
3) Mahachai Extension: From Taksin Bridge to Taksin
Road and then turn Left to Dao Khanong and then turn right to go along
Ekkachai Road and pass Mahachai Muang Mai to Mahachai area (the town
center in Muang District, Samut Sakhon)
All three extensions will
be around 60 km. There is no need for people to surrender land to BMA
except in the places to construct stairways. For Lum Lookka extension,
the construction will go along the bank of the canal, not at the deepest
course of the canal to prevent the extension from becoming an obstacle
when BMA tries to drain floodwaters during the flooding season and to
minimize the environmental impact to the canal and the neighborhoods
along the canals.
Samak said he was going to
ask OCMLT if they would approve his proposals. If so, he'll push
his plan as hard as possible to put into the national agenda and get
cabinet approvals. He'd start construction after receiving cabinet
approval and the contract signing with the contractors, BMA and the
BTSC. If not, he'll shorten the extensions to BKK city limit (except
in the case of Samrong Tai extension which has already stretched beyond
Bangkok city limit).
For the investment method,
Mr. Samak said he has discussed with BTSC creditors such as KFW Bank
of Switzerland and Siam Commercial Bank Pcl. about it. Those creditors
said they have an interest in this plan since it will enable BTSC to
gain more daily income, break even with the Skytrain project, and repay
the debt BTSC owes. Samak also proposed that BMA should be one of major
shareholders of BTSC via Krungthep Thanakhom Co. Ltd (Financial Arm
of BMA). The initial ticket fee would be 20 baht flat rate and
the fee will be raised to 25 and 30 baht in the next 4-5 years after
the extensions become a reality to attract a million daily passengers.
Notes: As far as I am concerned, Samak's proposal is quite a
good deal but I have to figure out many technical issues along his extension
routes:
1) How can he stretch Lum Lookka extension
without a complicated structure? If it goes to Lad Phrao intersection
and then turns right to Vibhavadee and turns left to Bangsue Canal,
it won't complicate the route structure but it will cause a sharp and
dangerous curve at Lad Phrao Intersection. If it goes from Mochit
Station directly to Bangsue Canal, it will require extra rails and complicated
structure to enable the rolling stocks to run as smooth as possible
and he will need an extra depot at Lum Lookka station as well. Lum Lukkka
extension will pass through the RTAF area - his Thai Citizen Party area
- so BTS may gain more passengers from RTAF servicemen and their families.
2) For Bangplee extension, it is a Samrong
extension plus an extra route to Bang Plee via Thepharak Road. The Samrong
Tai extension is close to the Erawan Shrine so Samak night not decide
to stretch the route along Sukhumvit Road to Paknam.
3) Mahachai extensions will be parallel to
Mae Klong Railway (Dao Khanong to Mahachai) and MRTA Orange line (Wongwian
Yai to Dao Khanong). I'm not so sure if OCMLT will approve this
line since it has a long stretch, and there will be other routes to
serve Bangkokians in suburbs.
Kheree Biting the Bullet by Cutting BTS Fare by
55 - 70 % to Attract More Regular Passengers
Summarized by Wisarut Bholsithi - Thannsetthakij Vol.
20, No. 1508, July 27 - 29, 2000
[Notes: I think the BTS has decided to take these
moves after seeing the landslide victory of Mr. Samak Sunthoravet who
is the new BMA governor. Samak said he will nationalize the BTS since
the company put a very high price tag on its tickets, so the BTS response
to Samak is the introduction of 30-day Skytrain passes to prevent the
company from becoming a state enterprise in the same way as MRTA or
SRT - both very inefficient organizations.]
Mr. Kheeree Kanchanaphak,
BTSC CEO, said the BTSC is going to introduce 30-day student and 30-day
adult passes for those who ride Skytrain as part of their daily routine.
The 30-day passes will expire 30 days after the day of purchase and
have a limit of 30 trips. You can use the passes to go to any stations.
It will be a big bargain if you travel a long distance (e.g. Taksin
to Mochit).
The 30-day student passes are for those not
older than 23. Each pass will cost 360 baht a pass (12 baht a trip within
30 days after purchase). Student passes are now on sale in Chulalongkorn
Book Center (Siam Square and Chulalongkorn University Campus), and they
will be on sale in the BTS stations on August 1, 2000.
For the 30-day adult passes, they will be on
sale in BTS stations on August 15, 2000. Each pass will cost 540
baht (18 baht a trip within 30 days after purchase). For those who do
not use Skytrain as a regular basis, BTSC will issue BTS gold cards
on a 1: 1 basis. These offers will expire on the New Year Eve
(December 31, 2000).
To make the Skytrain more convenient to passengers,
BTSC will introduce free shuttle buses for those who are Skytrain passengers
which will run from 6 AM to midnight. This service will start on August
1, 2000. BTSC rented the shuttle buses from Microbus Co. Ltd.
There will be 7 shuttle bus lines:
1) Line 1180, Silom-Sathon -> from Saladaeng Station, Narathiwat Ratchanakharin
Road, Chong Nonsee Station, Sathon Road, Rama IV Road back to Saladaeng
Station
2) Line 1171, Wireless Road - Lungsuan -> from Wireless Road, Ploenchit
Road - Chitlom Station, Lungsuan Road, Sarasin Road
3) Line 1172, Asok-Nana -> from Sukhumvit Road, Asok Station, Phetburi
Road, Soi Nana (Sukhumvit 3) and back to Asok Station
4) Line 1174, Thong Lor - Phromphong -> from Soi Thong Lor (Sukhumvit
55), Phetburi Road, Soi Phromphong (Sukhumvit 39) - Thong Lo Station
5) Line 1170, Ratchaprarob - Chitlom -> from the Empress Hotel, Makkasan
Road, Ratchaprarob (Patoonam), Bangkok Barzaar, Chitlom Station, Ploenchit
Road
6) Line 1176, Klongtan - Ekkamai -> from Sukhumvit Road, Phra Khanong
Station, Phra Khanong-Klongtan Road (Sukhumvit 71), New Phetburi Road
- Ekkamai (Sukhumvit 63)
7) Line 1177, Sukhumvit 36 - Sukhumvit 26 -> from Rama IV Road, Soi
Saeng Sabuy (Sukhumvit 36), Sukhumvit Road, Thong Lor Station, Soi Ari
(Sukhumvit 26)
All of the shuttle bus lines will run on circle
routes. There will be brochures for all seven shuttle bus lines.
Mr. Arnut Abhabhirom, the BTSC Board Consultant,
said the company has installed 12 escalators in 10 stations such as
Mochit (2 escalators), Ari, Victory Monument (2 escalators), Ratchathevee,
Nana, Ekkamai, Thonglor, Phrakhanong, Saladaeng, and Taksin. They
will be ready for service in August, 2000. The company hopes that
these marketing activities ease travel difficulties, create ease for
BTS passengers, and thus improve the quality of life for Bangkokians.
from Ban on Elevated Trains Faces Appeal,
by Patcharee Luengthai, The Nation, Monday, July 3, 2000
The SRT would ask the cabinet to change the resolution
issued on May 17, 1994 requiring mass transit systems within a 25 square-kilometer
core area to be underground.
SRT has hired TEAM Consulting Engineering and Management
Co Ltd, Electrowatt Engineering Ltd, LEK Consulting Ltd., JMP (Thailand)
Ltd, and ASDECON Corporation Ltd to work as consultants for the feasibility
study on the Bangkok Railroad Improvement Project which will be finished
later this month.
Those consultants have proposed an "ultimate service
network" for long-term development of the SRT's network in Bangkok Metropolitan
Region which they derived from the government's 20-year Railroad Improvement
Project which focuses on the railway infrastructure development of the
SRT corridor. This 20-year project is derived from the 1994 Urban Rail
Transportation Master Plan and the current goals of SRT.
According to the project, there will be 3 types of
local and regional passenger services: mass rapid transit (MRT) services,
standard commuter services, and express commuter services. MRT services
will start from Donmuang Railway Station to Hua Mark Railway Station.
SRT commuter services will start from Rangsit Railway Station to Hua
Mark Railway Station, and extend to Nong Ngoo Hao Airport later on.
The SRT long distance passenger/freight services will be from Ayutthaya
to Chachoengsao via Hua Lamphong. Bang Sue Junction will become a depot
for both MRT and SRT.
The consultants propose a gradual development from
today's system to an ultimate service network, targeting the total 1,853,000
passengers a day by the year 2021 -> MRT will carry 30% of this figure
and the commuter will carry the rest.
SRT officers said that it would cost the SRT about
26 billion Baht (US$ 520 million) to construct the elevated lines from
the Northern to the Eastern Corridor (Rangsit - Yommarat - Hua Mark),
but it would cost the SRT 50 billion Baht (US$ 1,250 million) to construct
the underground tracks for the same corridors. Investment costs for
electricity and maintenance will be 36 billion Baht (US$ 900 million)
for MRT and 32 billion Baht (US$ 800 million) for commuter service system.
Furthermore, the elevated tracks are much easier
to construct since the contractors can simply use the pillars from the
moribund Hopewell Project and thus solve the grade separation problems.
Demolishing these abandoned superstructures to construct underground
tracks is not practical at all.
The consultants said the option selected for the
configuration of the northern corridors from Bangsue to Hua Lamphong
(about 6.5 km), and the eastern corridors from Makkasan to Yommaraj
(about 5.9 km) will dictate the option from the proposed future southern
corridor extending from Hua Lamphong crossing the River to Wongwian
Yai Railway Station (3.5 km). For the new western corridor from Bang
Sue to Rama VI Bridge, it should be the elevated tracks. The consultants
recommend that the government should bare the costs of track infrastructure,
electrical and mechanical systems while the private firms should pay
for the rolling stocks, operations and maintenance.
Notes: The SRT preferred
network is as follows:
Mass Rapid Transit Services Stations - Northern
Corridor
1) Donmuang Airport (Donmuang Railway Station - opposite to the International
Terminal which will become an airport for cargo and chartered flight
services after Nong Ngoo Hao Airport becomes the only Bangkok International
Airport - a transit station to SRT commuter services and SRT long distance
service)
2) Donmuang South (Domestic Terminal)
3) Karn Keha (Thung Songhong Housing - apartments run by National Housing
Authority)
4) Laksi (Km 19 railway station and neighborhood)
5) Chulaporn (Laksi Railway Station - but the station is close to Chulabhorn
Research Institute)
6) Thung Songhong (Thung Songhong Railway Station - near Chitchon Road
to North Park)
7) Bang Khen (Bang Khen Railway Station)
8) Prachanivej (Prachaniwet 1 Village, near Wat Samian Naree)
9) Ratchadaphisek (near the flyover connecting Ratchadaphisek Inner
Ring Road together)
10) Bangsue 2 (Km 11 railway station and neighborhood)
11) Bangsue 1 (Bangsue Junction - connecting MRTA Blue line, SRT commuter
services and SRT long distance services - should be underground)
12) Pradiphat (Pradiphat station near RTA military zone - should be
underground)
13) Ranong (Ranong station near RTA Military Education Department -
should be underground)
14) Samsen (Samsen Railway station - should be underground but probably
not possible since there are some abandoned pillars from Hopewell project
here)
15) Dusit (near Chitladda Royal Railway Station - must be underground)
16) Yommaraj (near OCMLT office - transit to Eastern Corridor)
Mass Rapid Transit Services Stations - Eastern
Corridors
1) Yommaraj (near OCMLT office - transit to Northern Corridor)
2) Phyathai (Transit to SRT Commuter service and BTS green line)
3) Ratchaprarob (near Pratoonam Market)
4) Makkasan (Makkasan Railway Station - SRT maintenance center)
5) Asoke (Transit to MRTA Blue line, SRT commuter services and SRT long
distance service)
6) Watmai Chonglom (opposite to Soi Prasarnmit)
7) Soi Soonwichai (near Channel 11 TV station and RCA)
8) Klong Tan (Klong Tan Railway Station)
9) Ram Khamhaeng (Sukhumvit 71 Railway Station, near NASA Spacedrome
(a disco), the beginning of Ram Khamhaeng Road)
10) Rama IX (near a short cut to new Rama IX Road)
11) Seri (Seri village)
12) Hua Mark (Hua Mark Railway Station - transit to SRT commuter service,
end of MRT line)
SRT commuter services - Northern corridor
1) Rangsit (Rangsit Railway Station)
2) Donmuang Airport (Donmuang Railway Station - opposite to the International
Terminal which will become an airport for cargo and chartered flight
services after Nong Ngoo Hao Airport becomes the only Bangkok International
Airport for services - a transit station to MRT services and SRT long
distance service)
3) Bangsue 1 (Bangsue Junction - connecting MRTA Blue line, MRT and
SRT long distance services - should be underground)
4) Hua Lamphong (Bangkok Railway Station - transit to MRTA Blue line,
SRT Long Distance Service)
SRT commuter services - Eastern corridor
1) Hua Lamphong (Bangkok Railway Station - transit to MRTA Blue line,
SRT Long Distance Service)
2) Phyathai (Transit to SRT Commuter service and BTS green line)
3) Asoke (Transit to MRTA Blue line, MRT and SRT long distance services)
4) Hua Mark (Hua Mark Railway Station - transit to MRT service, end
of SRT commuter line)
SRT commuter services - proposed future Western
Corridor
1) Bangsue 1 (Bangsue Junction - connecting MRTA Blue line, MRT and
SRT long distance services - should be underground)
2) Bangson (Bangson Railway Station near Rama VI Bridge)
3) Bang Bamru (near Mahasawat Canal and Southern bus terminal)
4) Talingchan (Talingchan junction - Transit to SRT long distance services)
5) Nakhon Pathom (Nakhon Pathom Railway Station)
SRT commuter services - proposed extensions
1) Ayutthaya (Northern Corridor)
2) Ban Thapchang (Thubchang Railway Station)
3) Wat Lanboon (Onnut Km 14, Lad Krabang)
4) Lad Krabang (Lad Krabang Railway Station - Transit to SRT Long Distance
service - will branch out into 2 lines - one to Nong Ngoohao International
Airport and the other to Chachoengsao)
5) Nong Nogghao (The airport will be opened around 2006)
International Airport
6) Chachoengsao (Chachoengsao Junction)
SRT long distance passenger/freight services -
Northern corridor
1) Rangsit (Rangsit Railway Station)
2) Donmuang Airport (Donmuang Railway Station - opposite to the International
Terminal which will become an airport for cargo and chartered flight
services after Nong Ngoo Hao Airport becomes the only Bangkok International
Airport for services - transit to MRTA Blue line, SRT Long Distance
Service)
SRT long distance passenger/ freight services
- Eastern corridor
1) Hua Lamphong (Bangkok Railway Station - transit to MRTA Blue line,
SRT Long Distance Service)
2) Asoke (Transit to MRTA Blue line, MRT and SRT long distance services)
3) Hua Mark (Hua Mark Railway Station - transit to MRT service, end
of SRT commuter line)
4) Chachoengsao (Chachoengsao Junction)
SRT long distance passenger/ freight services
- proposed future Western Corridor
1) Bangsue 1 (Bangsue Junction - Connecting MRTA Blue line, MRT and
SRT long distance services - should be underground)
2) Talingchan (Talingchan junction - Transit to SRT long distance services)
3) Nakhon Pathom (Nakhon Pathom Railway Station)
Note: I though that the reason behind the
SRT appeal to the cabinet not to enforce the underground rule is that
this rule will bar BTSC from becoming a private firm that runs
the MRT as well as SRT commuter services. The thinking being that BTSC
could not deal with running a subway. Even the Skytrain has nearly bankrupts
the company. They will need to wait for 10 years to break even.
Park and Ride - From Skytrain, Chaophraya River,
and Chatuchak Weekend Market
Summarized by Wisarut Bholsithi - Anusarn Or Sor Thor
(Tourist Authority of Thailand [TAT] Journal), May, 2000
BTS Skytrain has cooperated
with Park Safe Thailand Co. Ltd. to create a park and ride facility
in front of Sukhumvit 81 - near Gate C of Onnut Station which will take
about 5 minutes to walk to from the station.
Asia Park has a capacity
to hold 400 cars in that area with a daily service at the rate 10 baht/hour,
30 baht/day if parking more than 3 hours. Furthermore, there is a monthly
option for using park and ride if you use this facility very often -
600 baht/month if you park ONLY during the weekdays and 850 baht/month
if you use this parking lot in daily basis.
This Park and ride facility
will have security guards and computerized parking systems. Those who
want to use this service should call (02) 934-7427-9 and (02) 333-0933
for more information.
Solving Skytrain Problems
Summarized by Wisarut Bholsithi - From Footnote Thailand, Thairath,
May 13, 2000
So far, the Skytrain has
not been fully utilized since BMTA bus and SRT train services haven't
been adjusted to feed passengers to the Skytrain and vice versa.
During the ceremony to start
the construction of Rama VIII Bridge on May 8, HM The King mentioned
the deserted Hopewell project that SRT should utilize the abandoned
concrete piles to elevate the rail tracks. Furthermore, HM The King
advised the SRT to follow the Swiss Railway Authority model to improve
the transportation around Bangkok Metropolitan Area.
This revival plan for the
Hopewell Project will not only solve troublesome problems about the
rail crossing (roads vs. railways), but it will also become a major
transport route to downtown Bangkok for those who live around Rangsit
and the Hua Mark area. Later on, this Hopewell line will extend
to Nong Ngoo Hao Airport (His Majesty will come to perform a cornerstone
laying ceremony at this airport around December 2000).
The last but not least significant
benefits for the revival of this project is that Hopewell line will
cross the Skytrain and subway lines at Phyathai, Asok, Bangsue and later
on at Wongwian Yai, Phan Fah, Dusit, and Hua Lamphong which will enable
suburban people to travel into the city center without driving.
For BTS Skytrain problems,
bus stops must be closer to Skytrain platform stairs or even better,
the bus lines must be adjusted to feed the Skytrain or better still
the bus and Skytrain tickets should be interchangeable.
Park and Ride - From Turning Right for Traffic
Correction
Summarized by Wisarut Bholsithi - Thairath, May 15, 2000
Lom Hua Pingpong
The first Park and Ride facility
for the Skytrain has been officially opened close to Queen Sirikit Park,
Kampaengphet 3 Road, near Chatuchak Park. BMA expects this park and
ride facility to ease the traffic problem around Chatuchak Weekend Market,
Chatuchak Park, and Morchit station since this facility will be able
to hold about 1700 cars (around June 2000). During this promotion
period, BMA will run free trams to send the passenger to the market,
the parks, and the Skytrain station. Therefore, those who drive around
those area should try parking their cars in the facility and riding
Skytrain to downtown Bangkok.
Mr. Hua Pingpong hopes that
the number of Skytrain passengers will be boosted after waiting for
five months for this park and ride facility to become a reality.
For those who live around
Onnut-Samrong area, there is another park and ride facility run by a
private firm (Asia Park). Drivers will have to pay 30 baht a day to
park a car in this facility.
MRTA better start the construction
of the Park and Ride facility at Ladphrao 21 as soon as possible - after
Dusit Thanee Hotel refused to let MRTA to use its area to construct
park and Ride facility. MRTA should not wait until after opening like
BTS to start the construction of Park and Ride.
Park and Ride Opened at Queen Sirikit Park near
Morchit Station
Summarized by Wisarut Bholsithi - Thairath, May 13, 2000
Mr. Wirat, Director of Chatuchak
Weekend Market said the park and ride will open on May 14 near Queen
Sirikit Park, Kamphaengphet 3 Road. The first section of this park and
ride will carry 300 cars and the second section will be able to carry
about 1000 cars a day. However, the second section will be opened around
early June. Drivers can park their cars without paying any fees for
a whole day and night.
During a promotion period,
BMA will run two shuttle trams as a loop for free to pick and send passengers
to Chuatuchak Weekend Market, Mochit Station, Rotfai Park. The trams
will run from 9 AM to 6 PM and they will carry 40 passengers for each
tram. This park and ride facility will help those who come to Chatuchak
Park, Chatuchak Weekend Market and Skytrain to find a place to park
and their cars.
BMTA Urging BTSC to Run Feeder Buses
Summarized by Wisarut Bholsithi - Dailynews, May 8, 2000
BMTA is urging BTSC to run
air-conditioned buses to feed the Skytrain by this June or BMTA will
revoke the concession granted to Bangkok Transit Feeders Co. Ltd. (BTSC's
subsidiary) and give the concession to another private company. So far,
BTSC hasn't started the bus services yet despite the strict schedule
in the the concession (starting feeder buses by December 1999 and getting
all 13 feeder lines operational by June 2000).
BMTA said there will be no
problems even though no private firms have offered to take over the
concession since BMTA will put enough buses to feed Skytrain, and too
much competition will put BMTA at loss. The best way to deal with this
problem is to readjust the bus routes to run the buses across like a
chessboard - not to compete with each other to ensue maximum efficiency
and maximum profits.
Split Opinion on Skytrain Extension Bids
Summarized by Wisarut Bholsithi - April 7, 2000
After the meeting of the committee
for BTS Extension Projects, City Clerk Prasert Samalapha said the committee
is split--with some supporting BTSC (the present Skytrain operator)
and the others supporting open bids from other private firms to construct
the extension lines. Those who support BTSC contend it will be easier
to connect the rails, use the stations, and collect fares if present
Skytrain operator BTSC gets permission to extend the lines. However,
those who support an open bid from other firms feel it is necessary
to get the opinions from other firms since the extension projects have
to deal with lots of money. BTSC may not be ready to finance and undertake
these projects since BTSC has reportedly lost heavily on the first section
of the Skytrain project.
Due to the differing opinions,
Prasert Samalapha said the committee has asked the engineering consultant
for these projects clarify
this issues and be ready for another meeting in two weeks. Nevertheless,
the contract between BMA and the BTSC said that if BMA calls
for an open bid, the company who wins the bid must get an approval from
BTSC as well. (from Thai Post Daily, April 6, 2000)
More Skytrain Elevators
Thai Post Daily reports that the BTSC and BMA are
going to install 12 escalators from the ground level to ticket booth
level at 10 stations (Morchit, Victory Monument, Phayathai, Ratchathwee,
Asok, Onnut, Saladaeng, Chong Nonsee, Surasak, and Taksin). I can testify
for that since I have seen the BTSC workers moving the old stairs out
and a sign saying that the installation of the escalators will be done
in June 2000.
Passengers Falling
BTSC have better make 25%/35% discount permanent
discounts since the number of passenger keeps falling: 171,310 passengers
a day in December, 145,170 passengers a day in January, and 135,710
passengers a day in February. BMA people are trying to help BTSC
boost the number of passengers by facilitating the legal and business
affairs to speed up the extensions process, managing buses to feed the
Skytrain lines, and employing more PR to meet the goal of 4-600,000
passengers a day or at least half of that amount.
Fountain Systems
Furthermore, BMA asked BTSC to install a fountain
system to trap dust particles and reduce air pollution. One is now testing
at Ratchathewee Station and with plans to install more at other major
stations.
Speed Pill Dealers Annoy Passengers
The Police Department is furious and has ordered
agents to track down speed pill dealers after hearing the reports from
BTSC that dealers had harassed student passengers at Siam, Ratchadamri,
Saladaeng, Chong Nonsee, Surasak, and Taksin Stations. BTSC, BMA, and
the Police Department may have to install Closed Circuit TV systems
and hotlines to police stations. The Ministry of Education may also
send Student Police to catch those delinquents in the trains and stations.
(from Thai Post)
Proposed High-speed Mae Klong Rail Line Map (Thai
only)
March 11, 2000 Click here for a Thai-language
map (70 K) of the proposed high-speed Mae Klong rail line. It has been
made as small as possible for download, so it is a bit grainy, but everything
is readable and it is still a beautiful map. We hope we live long enough
to see it made a reality! Click here
for more info on this project (as reported on this site in February,
2000).
Skytrain Bus Line Map (Thai only)
March 11, 2000
Click here for a Thai-language map (44.6
K) of the Skytrain bus lines.
Transport Master Plan
Summarized by Wisarut Bholsithi - March 9, 2000
OCMLT told both AEI (the company that
wants to construct the high speed train from Pak Tho to Donmuang) and
MRTA (they want to revitalize the Hopewell project - BTSC's subsidiary)
to wait until the revised master plan for mass transit projects is finished
in eight months. During that time, OCMLT asks all the companies involved
in ongoing and proposed mass transit projects to cooperate with one
another so they can share the rails and depots as well as other facilities
to reduce construction costs. The economic downturn and the collapse
of Hopewell project has caused OCMLT to come up with a revised master
plan to replace the one approved by the cabinet on September 27, 1994.
Bangkok Master Plan
The other 11 minor mass transit
lines will be light rail lines, except the ones running in downtown
Bangkok which will be "monorail" lines instead. The 11 minor lines will
carry 5,000-20,000 passengers/hour/direction while the 5 major lines
will carry 40,000 passengers/hour/direction.
Feeder line info:
1) Sri Nakharin Line - From Sri Nakharin Road (Lam Salee and Sri Nakharin
intersection - North) to Onnut Road (Sukhumvit 77), Phra Khanong - Klongtan
Road (Sukhumvit 71) to Ramkhamhaeng University (the Largest Open University
in the World) - near Wat Thepleela Lane (Ramkhamhaeng 39). This
line will pass through Unilever Thai holding Co. Ltd., Wat Mahabut (Maenak
Phrakhanong shrine), NASA Spacedrome Disco.
This line will connect with MRTA Orange Line at Ramkhamhaeng
Station, BTSC green line at Sri Nakharin and Onnut Station, and SRT
red line at Ramkhamhaeng (AKA Sukhumvit 71) and Hua Mark Station.
This line will belong to BMA - 22.4 km - 22 stations.
2) Samut Prakarn Line - From Sri Nakharin Road (Sri
Nakharin Intersection - South), Sukhumvit and Thepharak Road.
This line will pass through suburb villages, industrial zones around
Paknam (Samut Prakarn) area as well as Naval Academy and Naval Museum
and end up at downtown Paknam.
This line will connect with MRTA Orange line at Samrong
Tai Station and BTSC green line at Sri Nakharin and Samrong Tai Intersection.
This line will belong to Samut Prakarn Provincial Hall - 16.2 km - 9
stations.
3) Rat Boorana Line from Prachauthit Road and the
road under the 1st stage Expressway. This line will go to King Mongkut
University of Technology Thonburi (AKA Techno Bang Mod) and Suan Thonburirom
Park. It will end up meeting the Rama III line at Rama IX Bridge Station.
The Expressway Authority of Thailand (ERT) will be
the owner of this 9.2-Km line with 9 stations along the line. This line
will connect with MRTA Orange line at Rat Boorana Station.
4) Chaeng Watthana Line from Pakkret to Minburi via
Chaeng Watthana to Minburi Flea Market. This line will pass the AMD
chip factory, Krisdanakhon and Maungthong Thanee village, the 2nd Infantry
Battalion - Royal Guard, Supreme Commander Headquarters, 1st Anti-Aircraft
Regimen, CAT and TOT headquarters, Rajabhat Institute of Phranakhon,
RTA Golf Field, Lad Pla Khao, Khannayao, Fashion Island, Siam Park,
Bangchan Industrial Estate, and Minburi Intersection.
This line will belong to BMA and connect with MRTA
purple line at Chaeng Watthana station and SRT red line at Laksi station
- 26.9 km 27 stations.
5) Rama III Loop connecting the BTSC Green Line from
Chong Nonsee Station to Taksin Bridge Station. This line will pass through
Wat Phomaen (one of famous Chinese temples in Bangkok), Wat Dokmai,
Rama IX Bridge, Bangkok Bridge, Wat Don Cemetery (now becoming a public
park), Bangkok Dock (the oldest dockyard still in the business - founded
in 1864), and Wat Suthawararam.
This line will be 17.2 km long and have 18 stations.
So far, only Chong Nongsee - Sadhupradit Pier line (8.5 km - 9 stations)
is approved by the cabinet. We'll wait and see if the BTSC will sign
the contract with the BMA (the owner of the line) around May 2000 before
the expiration of Dr. Bhijit's term as Bangkok governor. The trend
shows that BTSC will sign the contract with the BMA so the company can
gain more passengers from other areas.
6) Klong Lad Phrao Line - going from Klong Tan (the
end of Lad Phrao canal) to Lam Lookka intersection of the Eastern Outer
Ring Road. This line will pass through the neighborhoods and suburb
villages along both banks of this canal as well as some significant
place such as Wat Lad Phrao, Wat Bangbua, Saphan Mai Flea Market (AKA
Yingcharoen Flea Market), Royal Thai Air Force area, Wat Ko, and Lamlookka
area.
This line will be 26.1 km - 26 stations, belong to
BMA and connect with MRTA Orange line at MRTA Depot.
7) Charansanitwongse Line - going along Ratchadapesiek
Inner Ring Road (including the whole Charansanitwongse Road) from Mahaisawan
Intersection to Northern Bangkok Power Plant in Bang Kruay.
This line will be 14.5 km long with 15 stations belonging
to BMA and connect with MRTA Blue line at Tha Phra Station, MRTA Ornage
Line at Mahaisawan Station and SRT red line at Charansanitwongse Station.
8) City Center Loop - a monorail line running from
Hua Lamphong, Debsirin Boy High School, Rama I Road, Phyathai Road,
and Si Phraya Road and ending up at Si Phraya Pier - the busiest pier
in Bangkok.
There will be 9 stations along the 6.4-km monorail
line belonging to BMA which will be as follows:
8.1) Hua Lamphong - Bangkok Railway Station - connecting
to the MRTA blue line
8.2) Debsirin - Debsirin Boy High School
8.3) Rama I - near Krasatsuek Bridge - connecting with SRT red line
8.4) Banthat Thong - Banthat Thong Intersection
8.5) National Stadium - connecting to the BTSC green line
8.6) Chulalongkorn - Chulalongkorn University - the oldest University
in Thailand founded in 1916
8.7) Sam Yan - Sam Yan Intersection - connecting to the MRTA Blue line
8.8) Bang Rak - Bangrak District Office
8.9) Si Phraya - Si Phraya Pier
So far, the BMA has not proposed this project yet
since the BMA does not have enough cash and financial resources to deal
with it. Nevertheless, some of BMA governor candidates may want to realize
this project by putting into his/her agenda - especially the would-be
candidate like Mr. Samak Sunthorawet. However, it would be much better
to wait until the revival of the SRT red line becomes reality (should
be around 2010).
9) Bang Yai Line - going along Rattanathebet via
Phrananklao Bridge to Bang Yai Intersection and then going along Kanchanaphisek
Outer Ring Road to Talingchan on the left and Bang Buathong on the right.
This line will belong to Nonthaburi Provincial Hall.
This 26.4-km line will connect with MRTA Blue line at Phra Nangklao
Station and SRT red line at Talingchan Station. It will have 26
stations along the line.
10) Bangchan Line - going from Ratchadaphisek Inner
Ring Road at Ratchayothin Intersection to Land Phrao Road and Nawamin
Road (Sukhaphiban 1) to Km 8 of Ram Indra Road. There is also
