Bangkok Metro

Bangkok's underground train system and network (fig.), of which the initial section is known as the MRT Chaleum Ratchamongkhon Line (map). Although to be officially opened on August 9, it commenced its service at the end of June 2004 with a trial period of more than a month. The initial section ran between Bang Seua near Chatuchak and Hua Lampong Train Station (fig.) on Rama IV Road, a 20 kilometer route with a total of eighteen stations of which three connect onto the Bangkok Mass Transit System. Construction to expand the metro has been ongoing and the initial route was in 2019 extended westward with 4 more metro stations, known as the Blue Line extension, thus moving the terminus from Hua Lampong to Thonburi, passing the Chinatown area (fig.) and crossing the Chao Phraya River (fig.) near the southern end of the Old City Moat (fig.). Besides neat and modern, the stations along the Blue Line extension are built in the traditional Thai style, featuring stunning architecture and ornaments, such as columns with cornices according to ancient design (fig.), kranok motifs (fig.), as well as creatures from Thai mythology, such as the hongse (fig.). Increasingly pouring investment into the various mass transportation systems throughout the capital, both the Underground and Sky Train Systems are being further developed, aimed to build a network that will cover many parts of the city that are now less accessible. It is run by the Bangkok Metro (Public) Company Limited (BMCL) and operates from 6.00 AM to midnight. In Thai rot fai fah tai din (รถไฟฟ้าใต้ดิน) or rot fai fah maha nakhon (รถไฟฟ้ามหานคร). See also Airport Link and MAP. 回