The Bangkok Mass Transit System, commonly known as the BTS Skytrain ( th, รถไฟฟ้าบีทีเอส ''
TS'), is an elevated
rapid transit
Rapid transit or mass rapid transit (MRT), also known as heavy rail or metro, is a type of high-capacity public transport generally found in urban areas. A rapid transit system that primarily or traditionally runs below the surface may be c ...
system in
Bangkok
Bangkok, officially known in Thai language, Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon and colloquially as Krung Thep, is the capital and most populous city of Thailand. The city occupies in the Chao Phraya River delta in central Thailand and has an estima ...
,
Thailand
Thailand ( ), historically known as Siam () and officially the Kingdom of Thailand, is a country in Southeast Asia, located at the centre of the Indochinese Peninsula, spanning , with a population of almost 70 million. The country is bo ...
. It is operated by
Bangkok Mass Transit System PCL (BTSC), a subsidiary of
BTS Group Holdings
BTS Group Holdings Public Company Limited (BTSG), formerly known as Tanayong Public Company Limited, is a public company in Thailand. It is the majority share holder of Bangkok Mass Transit System PCL (BTSC), the operator of the BTS Skytrain and ...
, under a concession granted by the
Bangkok Metropolitan Administration
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration ( th, กรุงเทพมหานคร; ) (BMA) is the local government of Bangkok (also called ''Krung Thep Maha Nakhon'' in Thai), which includes the capital of the Kingdom of Thailand. The governme ...
(BMA) which owns the lines. The system consists of 62 stations along three lines with a combined
route length of . The
BTS Sukhumvit Line
The Sukhumvit line ( th, รถไฟฟ้า สายสุขุมวิท) or Light Green line, is an elevated metro rail line of the BTS Skytrain in Bangkok, Thailand. From the central Siam Station, where it connects with the Silom Line, ...
running northwards and south-eastwards, terminating at
Khu Khot and
Kheha respectively. The
BTS Silom Line
The BTS Silom line ( th, รถไฟฟ้า สายสีลม) or Dark Green line, is an elevated rapid transit line of the BTS Skytrain in Bangkok, Thailand. It is operated by Bangkok Mass Transit System PCL (BTSC), a subsidiary of BTS G ...
which serves Silom and Sathon Roads, the central business district of Bangkok, terminates at
National Stadium
Many countries have a national sport stadium, which typically serves as the primary or exclusive home for one or more of a country's national representative sports teams. The term is most often used in reference to an association football stadiu ...
and
Bang Wa
Phasi Charoen ( th, ภาษีเจริญ, ) is one of the 50 districts (''Khet'') of Bangkok, Thailand. The district is bounded by other Bangkok districts (from north clockwise): Taling Chan, Bangkok Noi, Bangkok Yai, Thon Buri, Chom T ...
. The
Gold Line people mover runs from
Krung Thon Buri to
Klong San and serves
Iconsiam
Iconsiam, stylized as ICONSIAM, and ICS is a mixed-use development on the banks of the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok, Thailand. It includes one of the largest shopping malls in Asia, which opened to the public on 9 November 2018, as well as hotel ...
. The lines interchange at
Siam station
Siam station (, , ) is the cross-platform interchange station for the BTS Skytrain in Pathum Wan district, Bangkok, Thailand. It is the largest and busiest station on the BTS with 40,000–50,000 passengers per day, where passengers on the Sukhu ...
and
Krung Thon Buri. The system is formally known as "The Elevated Train in Commemoration of HM the King's 6th Cycle Birthday" ().
Besides the three BTS lines,
Bangkok's rapid transit system includes the underground and elevated
Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) lines, the
Bus Rapid Transit System
Bus rapid transit (BRT), also called a busway or transitway, is a bus-based public transport system designed to have much more capacity, reliability and other quality features than a conventional bus system. Typically, a BRT system includes ...
(BRT), and the elevated
Airport Rail Link
An airport rail link is a service providing passenger rail transport from an airport to a nearby city by mainline or commuter trains, rapid transit, people mover, or light rail. Direct links operate straight to the airport terminal, while o ...
(ARL), serving several stations before reaching
Suvarnabhumi Airport, and the
SRT Red Lines of the
State Railway of Thailand
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) ( th, การรถไฟแห่งประเทศไทย, abbrev. รฟท., ) is the state-owned rail operator under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Transport in Thailand.
History
The SRT was ...
.
History
![Bts-station-bangkok-large](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1c/Bts-station-bangkok-large.jpg)
Plans for mass transit in Bangkok began in the early-1980s. An early version of the Skytrain project was known as the
Lavalin Skytrain
Lavalin Skytrain ( th, โครงการรถไฟฟ้าลาวาลิน) is a cancelled rapid transit in Bangkok, planned since 1984 during Prem Tinsulanonda reign as prime minister. It was to have been operated by Lavalin (SNC-Lava ...
because it was designed using the
Vancouver SkyTrain
SkyTrain is the medium-capacity rapid transit system in the Metro Vancouver Regional District, serving Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. SkyTrain has of track and uses fully automated trains on grade-separated tracks running on underground ...
as a model, adopting technology developed by
SNC-Lavalin
SNC-Lavalin Group Inc. is a Canadian company based in Montreal that provides engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) services to various industries, including mining and metallurgy, oil and gas, environment and water, infrastructure, a ...
. Due to political interference, the concession with Lavalin was cancelled in June 1992, despite Bangkok's chronic
traffic congestion
Traffic congestion is a condition in transport that is characterized by slower speeds, longer trip times, and increased vehicular queueing. Traffic congestion on urban road networks has increased substantially since the 1950s. When traffic de ...
. The
Thai Government
The Government of Thailand, or formally the Royal Thai Government ( Abrv: RTG; th, รัฐบาลไทย, , ), is the unitary government of the Kingdom of Thailand. The country emerged as a modern nation state after the foundation of t ...
focused on increasing road and
expressway
Expressway may refer to:
* Controlled-access highway, the highest-grade type of highway with access ramps, lane markings, etc., for high-speed traffic.
* Limited-access road, a lower grade of highway or arterial road.
*Expressway, the fictional s ...
infrastructure
Infrastructure is the set of facilities and systems that serve a country, city, or other area, and encompasses the services and facilities necessary for its economy, households and firms to function. Infrastructure is composed of public and priv ...
in an attempt to reduce the congestion. This had little impact as the number of cars on the road continued to increase dramatically. The routes considered as part of the Skytrain project would become the basis for the
MRT system and are mainly underground. In the early-1990s, foundations and a viaduct for the Lavalin Skytrain were constructed in the middle of the
Phra Pok Klao Bridge across the
Chao Phraya River
The Chao Phraya ( or ; th, แม่น้ำเจ้าพระยา, , or ) is the major river in Thailand, with its low alluvial plain forming the centre of the country. It flows through Bangkok and then into the Gulf of Thailand.
Et ...
. The planned metro bridge remains unused but may become part of the MRT's future
Purple Line.
Another abortive attempt at building an elevated rail network was the
Bangkok Elevated Road and Train System
The Bangkok Elevated Road and Train System (BERTS, th, โครงการระบบการขนส่งทางรถไฟยกระดับในกรุงเทพมหานคร), commonly known as the Hopewell Project (โ ...
(BERTS), which was terminated in 1998 after only 13.77 percent had been completed.
Shortly after it became clear that the Lavalin Skytrain had stalled, then-
Governor
A governor is an administrative leader and head of a polity or political region, ranking under the head of state and in some cases, such as governors-general, as the head of state's official representative. Depending on the type of political ...
Major General
Chamlong Srimuang
Chamlong Srimuang ( th, จำลอง ศรีเมือง; born 5 July 1935) is a Thai activist and former politician. A former general, he was a leader of the "Young Turks" military clique, founded and led the Palang Dharma Party, serv ...
asked his deputy, Captain
Kritsada Arunwong na Ayutthaya
Krisda Arunvongse na Ayudhya ( th, กฤษฎา อรุณวงษ์ ณ อยุธยา) (January 9, 1932 – January 12, 2010) was a Thai politician professorhttp://art2.culture.go.th/index.php?case=artistDetail&art_id=293&pic_id=&si ...
, to create a new feeder system with a route along
Sukhumvit
Sukhumvit Road ( th, ถนนสุขุมวิท, , ), or Highway 3 ( th, ทางหลวงแผ่นดินหมายเลข 3), is a major road in Thailand, and a major surface road of Bangkok and other cities. It follows ...
and
Silom Road
Si Lom Road (also written as Silom, th, สีลม, ) is a major street in the Thai capital Bangkok, best known for its commercial neighbourhood, which, along with the nearby and roughly parallel Sathon Road, forms one of the city's main bus ...
s. Krisda and his team from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) succeeded in finding a private investor. Krisda also convinced everyone concerned to allow the city supervise the project.
Keeree Kanjanapas
Keeree Kanjanapas (Thai: คีรี กาญจนพาสน์; ; English: Wong Chong Shan) was born in Bangkok, Thailand in 1950. His family roots are in Chaozhou (Guangdong Province). He is a Thai entrepreneur with extensive business inter ...
founded the Bangkok Transit System Corporation (BTSC) and it successfully financed the system and grew it from a feeder system to a full mass transit project.
Thanayong Public Company Limited th, บริษัท ธนายง จำกัด (มหาชน)) had a 28 percent stake in BTSC when the Skytrain began, and therefore in its early days the system was sometimes referred to as the "Thanayong Skytrain".
Siemens
Siemens AG ( ) is a German multinational conglomerate corporation and the largest industrial manufacturing company in Europe headquartered in Munich with branch offices abroad.
The principal divisions of the corporation are ''Industry'', '' ...
, the supplier of the railway technology, and the Thai contractor, Italian Thai Development, built the system for BTSC. The "Skytrain" name was bestowed later by the press following the Vancouver example where the elevated metro had been named "Skytrain". Originally, the Skytrain depot was to be built underneath
Lumphini Park
Lumphini Park ( th, สวนลุมพินี, , ), also Lumpini or Lumpinee, is a 360 rai () park in Bangkok, Thailand. The park offers rare open public space, trees, and playgrounds in the Thai capital and contains an artificial lake w ...
, but due to widespread objections from Bangkok residents it was constructed on a parcel of land on
Phahonyothin Road
Phahonyothin Road ( th, ถนนพหลโยธิน, , ) or Highway 1 is a main road in Bangkok and one of the four primary highways in Thailand, which include Mittraphap Road (Highway 2), Sukhumvit Road (Highway 3), and Phet Kasem Road (Hi ...
, replacing the old northern/northeastern bus terminal (
Mo Chit). The current depot at Mo Chit is part of the proposed "Bangkok Terminal" project, where a large complex composed of a new regional bus terminal,
park and ride
A park and ride, also known as incentive parking or a commuter lot, is a parking lot with public transport connections that allows commuting, commuters and other people heading to city centres to leave their vehicles and transfer to a bus, Rail t ...
facility, and other commercial development can be built directly above it.
The Skytrain system was opened on 5 December 1999 by Princess
Maha Chakri Sirindhorn
Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, The Princess Royal and Princess Debaratana Rajasuda ( th, มหาจักรีสิรินธร, ; ; born April 2, 1955), formerly Princess Sirindhorn Debaratanasuda Kitivadhanadulsobhak ( th, สมเ ...
. It initially had lower-than-predicted ridership, with 200,000 passenger trips per day. Ticket revenue was only enough to meet the trains' operating cost, and not sufficient to service construction loans. The Skytrain's daily passenger numbers have steadily increased since then. On 9 December 2005, more than 500,000 single trips were made on the Skytrain on a single day for the first time. By September 2012, the Skytrain served around 600,000 passengers on an average day, increasing to 650,000 on an average weekday in 2013. A record 760,000 passengers traveled on Sunday, 22 December 2013, a day of mass political protest in Bangkok. The normal Sunday average is 400,000 passengers. The BTS had a fleet of 52 four-car trains (208 carriages) by 2017. 46 new four-car trains (184 carriages) were ordered to address growing capacity requirements of the existing lines to cater for the Sukhumvit Line extensions south to Kheha and north to Khu Khot. They were delivered from 2018 to 2020.
On March 5, 2020, the BTS made a song about the
COVID-19 pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic, also known as the coronavirus pandemic, is an ongoing global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The novel virus was first identif ...
, as an antidote to the grim warnings about the coronavirus, showing the staff dancing and keeping hygiene.
Station layout
![Siam Station Upper Platform 201801](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8b/Siam_Station_Upper_Platform_201801.jpg)
All of the system's stations are elevated and constructed on three levels.
The street level provides access to the station proper via stairs and often escalators and lifts. Supporting utility equipment (generators, water tanks) are usually located at this level on traffic islands.
The first elevated level of the stations contains the ticket booths, some small kiosk-like shops, and fare gates. The second level (and third at
Siam station
Siam station (, , ) is the cross-platform interchange station for the BTS Skytrain in Pathum Wan district, Bangkok, Thailand. It is the largest and busiest station on the BTS with 40,000–50,000 passengers per day, where passengers on the Sukhu ...
) is again accessed with stairs, lifts and escalators and contains the platforms and rails. With the exception of Siam Station, Ha Yaek Lat Phrao station and
Samrong, the stations follow a
side platform
A side platform (also known as a marginal platform or a single-face platform) is a platform positioned to the side of one or more railway tracks or guideways at a railway station, tram stop, or transitway. A station having dual side platforms ...
layout. Siam Station uses
island platform
An island platform (also center platform, centre platform) is a station layout arrangement where a single platform is positioned between two tracks within a railway station, tram stop or transitway interchange. Island platforms are popular on ...
s to facilitate
cross-platform interchange
A cross-platform interchange is a type of interchange between different lines at a metro (or other railway) station. The term originates with the London Underground; such layouts exist in other networks but are not commonly so named. In the Uni ...
between the two lines. The distances between doors are equal throughout the train, regardless of whether they are in the same or different cars, and the locations where the doors will be after the train has stopped are marked on the platform. The platforms are built to accommodate trains of six cars, but trains of only four cars are in operation. Security personnel are stationed at every platform and ticketing hall.
Five Skytrain stations, Sala Daeng, Asok, Ha Yaek Lat Phrao, Bang Wa and Mo Chit, are interchanges with the
MRT
MRT may refer to:
Transport Rapid Transit Systems
* Mass Rapid Transit (disambiguation)
* MRT (Singapore) or Mass Rapid Transit, Singapore
* MRT (Bangkok) or Metropolitan Rapid Transit, Thailand
* Manila Metro Rail Transit System, Philippine ...
system. Saphan Taksin station is connected to the adjacent Sathon Pier where the
Chao Phraya Express Boat
The Chao Phraya Express Boat ( th, เรือด่วนเจ้าพระยา ''Ruea Duan Chao Phraya'') is a transportation service in Thailand operating on the Chao Phraya River. It provides riverine express transportation between sto ...
services call. Many stations are linked by
skybridges
A skyway, skybridge, skywalk, or sky walkway is an elevated type of pedway connecting two or more buildings in an urban area, or connecting elevated points within mountainous recreational zones. Urban skyways very often take the form of enclos ...
(overhead pedestrian walkways) to neighbouring buildings and public amenities.
Platform screen doors
Platform screen doors (PSDs), also known as platform edge doors (PEDs), are used at some train, rapid transit and people mover stations to separate the platform from train tracks, as well as on some bus rapid transit, tram and light rail syste ...
(half size) are installed at On Nut, Phrom Phong, Asok, Chit Lom, Siam, Thong Lor, Phaya Thai, Victory Monument, Sala Daeng, and Chong Nonsi stations from 2014 to present .
These will eventually be installed at all stations. The installation at Phrom Phrong station caused a software problem and a six-hour shutdown of all BTS services on 24 December 2013, leading to gridlock in the city.
Ticketing
![BTS ticketing machine](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4b/BTS_ticketing_machine.JPG)
Fares are calculated according to distance. From 2007 a stored-value card called the BTS Smartpass was sold. In May 2012, this was replaced by a new stored-value ticket called
Rabbit Card
The Rabbit Card is a rechargeable contactless stored value smart card used to transfer electronic payments in systems in Thailand. It was launched in May 2012 to collect fares for the BTS Skytrain and the Bangkok BRT. The card can be recharged ...
. Rabbit Card is an electronic payment card system that allows holders to pay for the fee of BTS and
BRT
BRT may refer to:
Transportation
* Block register territory, a method for dispatching trains
* British Rail Telecommunications
* Brookhaven Rail Terminal
* Brooklyn Rapid Transit Company, a former transit holding company in New York City
* Bro ...
with only one card. Rabbit Cards can also be used to pay for other services and restaurants that are associated with BTS.
Single tickets can be purchased at ticket machines. The ticket is tapped on the way in, but inserted to be swallowed when leaving the paid area.
The
Mangmoom Card
The Mangmoom Card (Thai for "spider") is a planned stored-value card for rapid transit systems in Bangkok. Currently, many commuters carry multiple cards, since the existing Rabbit Card only works on the BTS Skytrain and Bangkok BRT, while the M ...
which is intended to be used on the Skytrain,
MRT
MRT may refer to:
Transport Rapid Transit Systems
* Mass Rapid Transit (disambiguation)
* MRT (Singapore) or Mass Rapid Transit, Singapore
* MRT (Bangkok) or Metropolitan Rapid Transit, Thailand
* Manila Metro Rail Transit System, Philippine ...
and
Airport Rail Link
An airport rail link is a service providing passenger rail transport from an airport to a nearby city by mainline or commuter trains, rapid transit, people mover, or light rail. Direct links operate straight to the airport terminal, while o ...
was repeatedly delayed from its original 2015 launch date and is not currently valid on the BTS.
At present, the three Bangkok train systems (Skytrain,
MRT
MRT may refer to:
Transport Rapid Transit Systems
* Mass Rapid Transit (disambiguation)
* MRT (Singapore) or Mass Rapid Transit, Singapore
* MRT (Bangkok) or Metropolitan Rapid Transit, Thailand
* Manila Metro Rail Transit System, Philippine ...
and
Airport Rail Link
An airport rail link is a service providing passenger rail transport from an airport to a nearby city by mainline or commuter trains, rapid transit, people mover, or light rail. Direct links operate straight to the airport terminal, while o ...
) all require separate tickets to be purchased to travel around the network. This is considered a major oversight in the development.
BTS Network
At its opening, the BTS had 23 stations on its two lines: 17 on the
BTS Sukhumvit Line
The Sukhumvit line ( th, รถไฟฟ้า สายสุขุมวิท) or Light Green line, is an elevated metro rail line of the BTS Skytrain in Bangkok, Thailand. From the central Siam Station, where it connects with the Silom Line, ...
and 7 on the
Silom Line
The BTS Silom line ( th, รถไฟฟ้า สายสีลม) or Dark Green line, is an elevated rapid transit line of the BTS Skytrain in Bangkok, Thailand. It is operated by Bangkok Mass Transit System PCL (BTSC), a subsidiary of BTS Gr ...
, with both lines interchanging at Siam. Since then, 30 additional stations have opened on the Sukhumvit Line and 6 on the Silom Line, with the latest new 3 stations at
Gold Line.
BTS Route extensions
In 2002, the cabinet of then Prime Minister
Thaksin Shinawatra
Thaksin Shinawatra ( th, ทักษิณ ชินวัตร; ; ; Chinese: 丘達新; cnr, Taksin Šinavatra; born 26 July 1949), is a Thai businessman, politician and visiting professor. He served in the Thai Police from 1973 to 1987, a ...
amended laws in order to allow private firms to finance the cost of operating the train system, while the government would undertake civil engineering works to build new extensions.
Timeline of BTS openings
* 5 December 1999 Sukhumvit Line: Mo Chit – On Nut; Silom Line: National Stadium – Saphan Taksin
* 15 May 2009 Silom Line: Saphan Taksin (S06) – Wong Wian Yai (S08)
* 12 August 2011 Sukhumvit Line: On Nut (E09) – Bearing (E14)
* 12 January 2013 Silom Line: Wong Wian Yai (S08) – Pho Nimit (S09)
* 14 February 2013 Silom Line: Pho Nimit (S09) – Talat Phlu (S10)
* 5 December 2013 Silom Line: Talat Phlu (S10) – Bang Wa (S12)
* 3 April 2017 Sukhumvit Line: Bearing (E14) – Samrong (E15)
* 6 December 2018 Sukhumvit Line: Samrong (E15) – Kheha Samut Prakan (E23)
* 9 August 2019 Sukhumvit Line: Mo Chit (N8) – Ha Yaek Lat Phrao (N9)
* 4 December 2019 Sukhumvit Line: Ha Yaek Lat Phrao (N9) – Kasetsart University (N13)
* 5 June 2020 Sukhumvit Line: Kasetsart University (N13) – Wat Phra Sri Mahathat (N17)
* 16 December 2020 Sukhumvit Line: Wat Phra Sri Mahathat (N17) – Khu Khot (N24)
* 8 February 2021 Silom Line: Saint Louis (S4, infill station)
1st extension – Silom Line south to Wong Wian Yai (2009)
On 18 October 2005, with no approval from the central government forthcoming,
Bangkok Metropolitan Administration
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration ( th, กรุงเทพมหานคร; ) (BMA) is the local government of Bangkok (also called ''Krung Thep Maha Nakhon'' in Thai), which includes the capital of the Kingdom of Thailand. The governme ...
(BMA) decided to fund and complete the Silom Line route extension to Krung Thonburi Station (S07) and Wongwian Yai Station (S08). Construction began on 13 December 2005 with completion originally expected within two years. However, problems with the tendering and installation of a new Bombardier open signalling system repeatedly pushed back the schedule. The extension finally opening on 15 May 2009. However, the single platform
Saphan Taksin station
Saphan Taksin station ( th, สถานีสะพานตากสิน) is a BTS skytrain station, on the Silom Line in Sathon and Bang Rak Districts, Bangkok, Thailand. The station is located at the entry ramp of Taksin Bridge, below Sat ...
which has only one track, has caused repeated delays during rush hour. In 2012, the BMA announced plans to demolish Saphan Taksin station in the future. There are now plans to construct new platforms and remove the bottleneck and keep the station which provides an important link between river boats. The plan includes redesigning the road bridges either side of the viaduct to fit the new station.
2nd extension – Sukhumvit Line east to Bearing (2011)
A second extension, the 5.25 km On Nut station (E09) to Bearing station (E14) started construction in August 2006. The 4 billion baht extension was again funded by the BMA. The original scheduled opening date was mid-2009. However, an unusual, prolonged delay in the tendering of the contract for the electrical and signals resulted in a two-year delay. "The senior City Hall official responsible for making the purchase has apparently stalled the scheme over fears of being investigated if something went wrong with the purchase."
The BTSC was contracted by the BMA to run the extension. Subsequently, the extension did not open until over two years later on 12 August 2011. The delay in opening prompted the BMA to offer free travel for this extension until the end of 2011 as compensation. A flat fare separate from the distance based fare normal in the BTS network was then charged for this section. However, distance based fares are now used for this extension.
3rd extension – Silom Line south to Bang Wa (2013)
The third extension to the network, a 5.3 km, four station extension from Wongwian Yai (S8) to Bang Wa (S12) in Phasi Charoen District began construction in the 2nd quarter of 2011 with a deadline of the end of 2012. Only the stations had to be constructed as the viaduct had been completed some years prior. However, construction was delayed for many months by the Bangkok floods of late 2011. It eventually opened in stages. Pho Nimit opened on 12 January 2013, Talat Phlu opened on 14 February 2013, with the last two stations opening on 5 December 2013. For most of 2013, passengers changed platforms and trains at Wongwian Yai for a shuttle service to S09 and S10 as there was no turnout at S10 for through trains. Since the opening of the final section of the extension to Bang Wa station on 5 December 2013, this is no longer the case.
4th extension – Sukhumvit Line east to Kheha (2017-2018)
Construction started in April 2012 for a , seven station extension from
Bearing station (E14) to Samut Prakan Station (E23). The extension is being built by Ch. Karnchang. Two stations (E18 & E22) will be built at a later date. The extension was funded by the MRTA as it is outside BMA city limits. The extension was planned to open in 2017. In April 2013, the MRTA awarded Ch Karnchang the contract for track laying and electrical systems. Construction was completed in 2017, but arguments over who should operate the line delayed the opening. One station,
Samrong opened earlier, on 3 April 2017. The full extension opened on 6 December 2018 and the BTSC has announced that the free travel concession on this section will continue until the new train sets arrive to allow for the new section to be fully functional.
5th extension – Sukhumvit Line north to Khu Khot (2019-2020)
*1) Mo Chit station to Saphan Mai: 11.4 km, 12 stations (N9–N20).
*2) Saphan Mai to Khu Khot: 7.5 km, four stations (N21-N24).
An 11.4 km, 12 station northern extension from
Mo Chit station to
Saphan Mai
350px, Phaholyothin Road, near Saphan Mai
Saphan Mai ( th, สะพานใหม่, ) is a marketplace and neighbourhood in north Bangkok, chiefly in the Anusawari Subdistrict, Bang Khen District and part of Khlong Thanon Subdistrict, Sai M ...
in
Don Mueang District has been planned since the Sukhumvit Line opened. Originally, this extension was scheduled to be completed by 2008. However, due to a combination of changes in government, a prolonged environmental study, and problems with locating a suitable train depot, the extension has been continually delayed.
A further 16.5 km, nine station extension from Saphan Mai to Lam Lukka was also planned once the extension to Saphan Mai had been completed. This was subsequently split into two extensions. A 7.5 km, four station extension to Khu Khot and a 9 km, five station extension along Lam Lukka Road to Lam Lukka.
Due to the significant delay in the northern extension plans, in mid-2013 it was decided by the MRTA to tender extensions (1) & (2) at the same time by the end of 2013. However, the dissolution of parliament in November 2013 delayed this yet again. A tender was finally released in January 2014 with an April deadline before being delayed until late May 2014 due to concerns from bidders.
A
military coup
A military, also known collectively as armed forces, is a heavily armed, highly organized force primarily intended for warfare
War is an intense armed conflict between states, governments, societies, or paramilitary groups such ...
in late-May suspended the bidding process while the military administration reviewed all major projects. In late-June, the military administration affirmed the tender which will proceed before the end of 2014. In mid-August, the MRTA announced that the new tender deadline would be 30 September 2014. Five bidders qualified with successful bids to be announced by December. The contract to construct the line for both extensions (1) & (2) was finally signed in April 2015 and the full extension is scheduled to open in 2020.
Testing of the final 9.8 km, 7 station section from Wat Phra Sri Mahathat (N17) to Khu Khot (N24) began on 5 October and continued until the full extension opens. It was officially inaugurated on 16 December 2020 by the Prime Minister.
Opening dates
# The first section to Ha Yaek Lat Phrao station (N9) opened on 9 August 2019;
# the next 4 stations from Ha Yaek Lat Phrao station (N9) to Kasetsart University (N13) opened on 4 December 2019;
# further 4 stations from Kasetsart University (N13) to Wat Phra Sri Mahathat (N17) opened on 5 June 2020;
# the remaining section of 9.8 km and 7 stations from Wat Phra Sri Mahathat (N17) to Khu Khot (N24) opened on 16 December 2020.
Saint Louis (S4) infill station – Silom Line (2021)
In 2018, it was decided to finally build the missing Saint Louis (S4) station (originally named Sueksa Wittaya), the EIA was finalised in March 2019. Construction of the station began in August 2019 and by the end of 2019 had reached 25% progress. By August 2020, construction had reached 50% but was 30% behind schedule due to COVID related delays.
The station opened on 8 February 2021.
Future extension plans
BTS Group Holdings will tender to operate more BTS and MRT lines in the future through financing from its BTS Rail Mass Transit Growth Infrastructure Fund after it received approval from the Thai Securities and Exchange Commission in March 2013. The IPO raised US$2.1 billion, the largest in Thailand's history.
Sukhumvit Line, north
A further 9 km, five station extension from Khu Khot station to Wongwaen-Lam Luk Ka station is planned to be constructed by 2029.
Sukhumvit Line, east
* A further 7 km, five-station extension from Kheha station to Bang Pu station is planned to be constructed by 2029.
* A spur line from Bang Na to
Suvarnabhumi Airport (terminating at future South Passenger Terminal of Suvarnabhumi Airport). However, this may also be built as a light rail or monorail line.
Silom Line, south
After the opening of Wutthakat (S11) and Bang Wa (S12) stations 5 December 2013, the BMA announced a new proposal to further extended the Silom line by 7 km from
Bang Wa (S12) station, by six stations to
Taling Chan
Taling Chan ( th, ตลิ่งชัน, ) is one of the 50 districts (''khet'') of Bangkok, Thailand. Its neighbours, clockwise from the north, are Bang Kruai district of Nonthaburi province and Bang Phlat, Bangkok Noi, Bangkok Yai, Phas ...
.
At Taling Chan it would connect with the
SRT Light Red line
The SRT Light Red Line, or Nakhon Withi Line ( th, รถไฟชานเมือง นครวิถี) is part of the SRT Red Lines suburban railway system serving the greater Bangkok Metropolitan Region running for 15 km between K ...
.
A public hearing was held in 2015. Three route options were considered, with construction intended to start in 2017. Part of the basis for this further extension by the BMA is that it would provide proximate access to the Southern Bus Terminal. The BMA Transport and Traffic Office completed an economic evaluation of the extension in October 2018 which found a cost benefit ratio of 2.37. The study recommended that an EIA be completed in 2019 but this was delayed.
Silom Line, west
The Silom Line is planned to be extended by one or two stations west along Rama 1 from National Stadium (W1) to link with the
SRT Dark Red Line
The SRT Dark Red Line, or Thani Ratthaya Line ( th, รถไฟชานเมือง สายธานีรัถยา) is part of the SRT Red Line suburban railway system to serve the greater Bangkok Metropolitan Region running for 26 ...
at Yot Se station. However, no time frame for this extension has been announced and this section of the
SRT Dark Red Line
The SRT Dark Red Line, or Thani Ratthaya Line ( th, รถไฟชานเมือง สายธานีรัถยา) is part of the SRT Red Line suburban railway system to serve the greater Bangkok Metropolitan Region running for 26 ...
will not be built until after 2022.
Originally, the plan was to extend the Silom Line west from National Stadium into Chinatown, then north to Democracy Monument where it would then run west to Rattanakosin Island and Sanum Luang, tunnel under the river to the Thonburi side before terminating at Phran Nok. However, this plan was shelved in 2009 and much of this route has been replaced by routing changes to the planned
MRT Orange Line
The MRT Orange Line ( th, รถไฟฟ้ามหานคร สายสีส้ม) is a rapid transit line of the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) in the Bangkok Metropolitan Area, Thailand. When fully completed, the MRT Or ...
.
Terminal Station
Terminal stations and physical ends of their lines are
Khu Khot,
Kheha,
National Stadium
Many countries have a national sport stadium, which typically serves as the primary or exclusive home for one or more of a country's national representative sports teams. The term is most often used in reference to an association football stadiu ...
,
Bang wa
Phasi Charoen ( th, ภาษีเจริญ, ) is one of the 50 districts (''Khet'') of Bangkok, Thailand. The district is bounded by other Bangkok districts (from north clockwise): Taling Chan, Bangkok Noi, Bangkok Yai, Thon Buri, Chom T ...
.
Some trains terminate early and resume travel in the opposite direction at
Wat Phra Sri Mahathat,
Ha Yaek Lat Phrao,
Mo Chit (rare),
Samrong,
Krung Thon Buri BTS (Helper Train). This allows more frequent trains on the central sections of the lines without added investment in carriages.
Rolling stock
The BTS Skytrain uses two variations of
electric multiple unit
An electric multiple unit or EMU is a multiple-unit train consisting of self-propelled carriages using electricity as the motive power. An EMU requires no separate locomotive, as electric traction motors are incorporated within one or a numbe ...
rolling stock
The term rolling stock in the rail transport industry refers to railway vehicles, including both powered and unpowered vehicles: for example, locomotives, freight and passenger cars (or coaches), and non-revenue cars. Passenger vehicles can b ...
. All operate on . All trains have four doors on each side per car, an air-conditioning unit, and LCD monitors for public announcement and advertising. Public announcements are spoken by actress Ratklao Amaradit. The power supply for all trains is at 750 V DC from the
third rail
A third rail, also known as a live rail, electric rail or conductor rail, is a method of providing electric power to a railway locomotive or train, through a semi-continuous rigid conductor placed alongside or between the rails of a railway t ...
.
Siemens trains
First order (EMU-A1)
![Bangkok Skytrain exterior](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/30/Bangkok_Skytrain_exterior.JPG)
The rolling stock of BTS Skytrain, in use when the line opened in 1999, consisted of 35
Siemens Modular Metro
The Siemens Modular Metro is a family of electric multiple unit trains for rapid transit systems produced by Siemens Mobility (originally Siemens Transportation Systems) and used by rail operators around the world. The vehicle concept was launched ...
trains from
Siemens
Siemens AG ( ) is a German multinational conglomerate corporation and the largest industrial manufacturing company in Europe headquartered in Munich with branch offices abroad.
The principal divisions of the corporation are ''Industry'', '' ...
. These initial trains had three cars, two motor cars and one trailer in the center. The Sukhumvit Line used 20 trains, and the Silom Line had 15.
After the 12 new car CNR trains were delivered for the Silom line in December 2010, the 15 Siemens trains on the Silom Line were transferred to the Sukhumvit Line.
Second order: extra cars to expand to four-car train operations (EMU-A1)
To increase capacity, in October 2010, BTSC ordered an extra 35 single cars from Siemens to make each train a four car set.
These extra cars were progressively introduced into operation from November 2012 to March 2013, when all 35 sets of Siemens rolling stock finally became four car sets.
The Silom Line cars have been modified to support a signaling system from
Bombardier Transportation
Bombardier Transportation was a Canadian-German rolling stock and rail transport manufacturer, headquartered in Berlin, Germany.
It was one of the world's largest companies in the rail vehicle and equipment manufacturing and servicing industry ...
since the extension from
Saphan Taksin to
Wong Wian Yai
Wongwian Yai, also spelled "Wong Wian Yai" or "Wongwien Yai" ( th, วงเวียนใหญ่, ; ), is a large roundabout (traffic circle) in Thonburi, on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok, Thailand, where the statue of Kin ...
.
Third order: new four-car sets for extension operations (EMU-A2)
![BTS EMU-A2 arriving at Ha Yaek Lat Phrao Station](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/51/BTS_EMU-A2_arriving_at_Ha_Yaek_Lat_Phrao_Station.jpg)
To serve the Sukhumvit Line Extension (East) BTSC ordered 22 new
Siemens
Siemens AG ( ) is a German multinational conglomerate corporation and the largest industrial manufacturing company in Europe headquartered in Munich with branch offices abroad.
The principal divisions of the corporation are ''Industry'', '' ...
-
Bozankaya
Bozankaya is a Turkish manufacturer of rolling stock including metro, tram and trolleybus vehicles.
History
The company was originally founded as BBC & C in Wolfenbüttel, Germany by Murat Bozankaya. The company moved its headquarters to ...
EMU four-car trains from a consortium of
Siemens
Siemens AG ( ) is a German multinational conglomerate corporation and the largest industrial manufacturing company in Europe headquartered in Munich with branch offices abroad.
The principal divisions of the corporation are ''Industry'', '' ...
and
Bozankaya
Bozankaya is a Turkish manufacturer of rolling stock including metro, tram and trolleybus vehicles.
History
The company was originally founded as BBC & C in Wolfenbüttel, Germany by Murat Bozankaya. The company moved its headquarters to ...
in May 2016.
[Siemens and CRRC trains for Bangkok]
''Metro Report International
''Metro Report International'' is a business journal for urban transport professionals which covers the metro, light rail, tram and commuter rail industries worldwide. It includes news and articles looking at urban transport around the world, ...
'' 20 May 2016
These trains were manufactured in the Bozankaya factory in Ankara,
Turkey
Turkey ( tr, Türkiye ), officially the Republic of Türkiye ( tr, Türkiye Cumhuriyeti, links=no ), is a list of transcontinental countries, transcontinental country located mainly on the Anatolia, Anatolian Peninsula in Western Asia, with ...
. Siemens supplied bogies, traction, braking and auxiliary systems and was responsible for project management, development, construction and commissioning of the trains. Siemens will also take on service and maintenance for 16 years.
The first set of the new batch of rolling stock arrived in early August 2018 for testing and approval by the BTSC. These new trains increase capacity from 1,490 passengers per train to 1,573. As of the opening of the new Sukhumvit Line extension to Kheha Samut Prakan on 6 December 2018, only 3 sets of the 22 sets had been delivered. This resulted in a limited 10-minute frequency, shuttle service for the new extension as an interim measure until more rolling stock is delivered.
The train features : Perch Seats, LCD Dynamic Route Map (AKA. Passengers Information Display)
CNR Changchun trains
First order (EMU-B1)
![Bangkok Skytrain 05](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1e/Bangkok_Skytrain_05.jpg)
In early 2008, the BTSC ordered 12 new trains (12 sets of four cars) from
Changchun Railway Vehicles
CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles Co., Ltd. () is a Chinese rolling stock manufacturer and a division of the CRRC. While the CRV emerged in 2002, the company's roots date back to the establishment of the Changchun Car Company in 1954. The company be ...
(EMU B class) to cater for the then soon to open Wong Wian Yai extension of the Silom Line. Their design was modified to the existing BTS's Siemens Modular Metro. The new trains were delivered late and only began service the Silom Line in December 2010. This was some 18 months after the
Wong Wian Yai
Wongwian Yai, also spelled "Wong Wian Yai" or "Wongwien Yai" ( th, วงเวียนใหญ่, ; ), is a large roundabout (traffic circle) in Thonburi, on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok, Thailand, where the statue of Kin ...
and
Krung Thonburi stations were opened in May 2009 during which time there was severe overcrowding on the Silom line.
These trains consist of two-motor cars and two-trailer cars (i.e., four-car trainsets) and feature LCD TVs for public announcements and advertising. An advanced digital voice announcement (DVA) and passenger information systems was installed.
Second order (EMU-B2)
In September 2011, the BTSC ordered five more four-car trainsets of CNR rolling stock for 1.5 billion baht to prepare for the Silom Line extension to
Bang Wa
Phasi Charoen ( th, ภาษีเจริญ, ) is one of the 50 districts (''Khet'') of Bangkok, Thailand. The district is bounded by other Bangkok districts (from north clockwise): Taling Chan, Bangkok Noi, Bangkok Yai, Thon Buri, Chom T ...
which was then due to open in December 2012.
These five new train sets of rolling stock entered service on 29 November 2013 after the first two stations of the Silom Line extension to Bang Wa opened in January and February 2013, respectively. This second batch of CNR EMUs (B Class) differ slightly from the first batch in exterior fitting out such as with the LCDs screens, LED route displays, signage, and passenger communication units.
CRRC Changchun trains (EMU-B3)
![EMU-B3 77](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/65/EMU-B3_77.jpg)
In May 2016, BTSC has signed a contract to order 24 more four-car trains of
CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles
CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles Co., Ltd. () is a Chinese rolling stock manufacturer and a division of the CRRC. While the CRV emerged in 2002, the company's roots date back to the establishment of the Changchun Car Company in 1954. The company be ...
rolling stock to prepare for the Sukhumvit Line extension (North) and to cater for increasing demand, with expected delivery in 2018.
[
It has delivered 24 of its cars to Mo Chit Depot. 24 cars are now operating its service on the Silom Line and Sukhumvit Line (Car 75–98)
This train features : Perch Seats, LCD Dynamic Route Map (AKA. Passengers Information Display)
]
Ridership
The first years of operations saw limited ridership. The line had few direct ramps into malls and lacked escalators. Little by little, while escalators were installed and side bridges added, patronage increased. The opening of Siam Paragon
Siam Paragon ( th, สยามพารากอน) is a shopping mall in Bangkok, Thailand. It is one of the largest malls in Thailand, along with IconSiam, CentralWorld and CentralPlaza WestGate.
Siam Paragon includes a range of specialty sto ...
Mall in 2004, at the time Thailand's most luxurious mall, boosted crowds at the system's central Siam station. The redevelopment of the Ratchaprasong
Ratchaprasong ( th, ราชประสงค์, ; also spelled ''Rajprasong'') is the name of an intersection, and a shopping district named after it, in Pathum Wan District, Bangkok, adjacent to the Siam area, at the BTS Skytrain's Chit L ...
and Siam
Thailand ( ), historically known as Siam () and officially the Kingdom of Thailand, is a country in Southeast Asia, located at the centre of the Mainland Southeast Asia, Indochinese Peninsula, spanning , with a population of almost 70 mi ...
districts as well as new "skywalks" fostered growing accessibility.
Ridership grew steadily with incremental expansion of the lines, and at peak hour, the trains sometimes depart without being able to take all waiting passengers. Average daily ridership first surpassed 200,000 in June 2001, 300,000 in November 2003, 400,000 in March 2006, 500,000 in August 2011, 600,000 in August 2013 and 700,000 in November 2017.
Ridership statistics
Network Map
See also
* Sukhumvit Line
The Sukhumvit line ( th, รถไฟฟ้า สายสุขุมวิท) or Light Green line, is an elevated metro rail line of the BTS Skytrain in Bangkok, Thailand. From the central Siam Station, where it connects with the Silom Lin ...
* Silom Line
The BTS Silom line ( th, รถไฟฟ้า สายสีลม) or Dark Green line, is an elevated rapid transit line of the BTS Skytrain in Bangkok, Thailand. It is operated by Bangkok Mass Transit System PCL (BTSC), a subsidiary of BTS Gr ...
*Keeree Kanjanapas
Keeree Kanjanapas (Thai: คีรี กาญจนพาสน์; ; English: Wong Chong Shan) was born in Bangkok, Thailand in 1950. His family roots are in Chaozhou (Guangdong Province). He is a Thai entrepreneur with extensive business inter ...
*Rail transport in Bangkok
Rail transport was introduced to Bangkok in 1893, and the national railway network was developed during the 20th century. Rapid transit in Bangkok includes several rail lines: the BTS Skytrain, MRT and Airport Rail Link.
History
Bangkok's fi ...
* List of rapid transit stations in Bangkok
* Mass Rapid Transit Master Plan in Bangkok Metropolitan Region
The Mass Rapid Transit Master Plan in Bangkok Metropolitan Region, or M-Map, is the latest version in a series of Thai government plans for the development of an urban rail transit network serving the Greater Bangkok area. It was drafted under the ...
* MRT (Bangkok)
The Metropolitan Rapid Transit or MRT is a mass rapid transit system serving the Bangkok Metropolitan Region in Thailand. The MRT system comprises two rapid transit lines, with a further three lines (one rapid transit line and two monorail lines) ...
* MRT Blue Line
The MRT Blue Line ( th, รถไฟฟ้า สายสีน้ำเงิน) or MRT Chaloem Ratchamongkon Line ( th, รถไฟฟ้ามหานคร สายเฉลิมรัชมงคล) is Bangkok's third rapid transit li ...
* MRT Brown Line
The MRT Brown Line is a 22.1 km rapid transit line in Bangkok, Thailand proposed monorail mass transit line from Nonthaburi Civic Centre, Nonthaburi Province to Lam Sali intersection, Bang Kapi District. 20 stations are proposed for the line ...
* MRT Grey Line
The BMA Grey Line (Watcharaphon - Thong Lo) is a planned monorail line in Bangkok, Thailand. The route would provide a vital north - south link for a distance of 16.25 km with 15 planned stations and is expected to cost 27 billion baht. The l ...
* MRT Light Blue Line
The Light Blue Line (Din Daeng – Sathon) is a planned monorail line to be built in Bangkok, Thailand. Its path runs along a north–south axis. This line would link the Din Daeng housing community areas, Bangkok City Hall 2, Makkasan Station ( ...
* MRT Orange Line
The MRT Orange Line ( th, รถไฟฟ้ามหานคร สายสีส้ม) is a rapid transit line of the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) in the Bangkok Metropolitan Area, Thailand. When fully completed, the MRT Or ...
* MRT Pink Line
The MRT Pink Line is an elevated mass rapid transit monorail train line under construction in Bangkok and Nonthaburi Province, Thailand. The monorail line will be long and have 30 stations. It will run in the northern part of the city from the ...
* MRT Yellow Line
The MRT Yellow Line is an elevated mass rapid transit line currently under construction in Bangkok and Samut Prakan Province, Thailand. The 30.4 km line will have 23 stations and cost 55 billion baht. The line was originally proposed in 2005 ...
*Airport Rail Link (Bangkok)
The Airport Rail Link (ARL) ( th, รถไฟฟ้าแอร์พอร์ต เรล ลิงก์) is an express and commuter rail line in Bangkok, Thailand. The line provides an airport rail link from Suvarnabhumi Airport, via Mak ...
* SRT Dark Red Line
The SRT Dark Red Line, or Thani Ratthaya Line ( th, รถไฟชานเมือง สายธานีรัถยา) is part of the SRT Red Line suburban railway system to serve the greater Bangkok Metropolitan Region running for 26 ...
* SRT Light Red Line
The SRT Light Red Line, or Nakhon Withi Line ( th, รถไฟชานเมือง นครวิถี) is part of the SRT Red Lines suburban railway system serving the greater Bangkok Metropolitan Region running for 15 km between K ...
* BMA Gold Line
* Bangkok BRT
The Bangkok BRT is a bus rapid transit system in Bangkok, Thailand. Of five routes that were originally planned, only one line has been operating since 2010, with the other routes cancelled. Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) announced the ...
References
External links
BTS, ARL, MRT & BRT network map
Photo visual guide
b
travellikeaboss.org
COVID-19 song
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bts Skytrain
1999 establishments in Thailand
750 V DC railway electrification