Thai Mass Transport Systems: The Modern Rail Based Mass Transit of Thailand

A week ago I went into inner Bangkok to photograph the currently operating modern rail based mass transport systems and vehicles. The modern mass transit system consists of a 2 line elevated metro called BTS (Bangkok Skytrain System) and a single underground line called MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) or Subway by locals. The BTS system opened on the 5^th December 1999 and the Subway opened on the 3^rd July 2004.

The BTS Sukhumvit line operates from Mochit to Onnut. The BTS Silom line operates from Saphan Taksin to National Stadium. The MRT subway operates between Bang Sue SRT station in the north and Hualamphong SRT station in the south. The BTS takes 27 minutes to travel from Mochit to Onnut. The MRT takes about 30 minutes to complete its route. The BTS and MRT systems operate from 6 am to 12 am 7 days a week.

The subway was delayed greatly during construction due to the 1997 economic crash. Both systems use a 1435 mm rail gauge and 3^rd rail power supply system. The trains used on both systems are almost identical. The trains are produced and imported to Bangkok by Siemens. There have been a number of plans and ideas over the last few years to expand the BTS and MRT subway system. However the only new metro line extensions under construction are on the BTS system. 1. Wong Wien Yai to Saphan Taksin and 2. Onnut to Samrong (City of Samut Prakan). The next planned MRT line is likely to be Bang Sue to Bang Yai (City of Nonthaburi). An express rail link to the new Bangkok airport is also under construction at the moment.

This metro system really only covers the inner city areas of Bangkok. In the future it will extend into Thonburi and the middle and outer suburbs of Bangkok. These extensions are very overdue and very much needed now. Bangkok’s Mass transit beyond the inner city is mostly buses and a few low frequency diesel SRT trains.

The mass transit system map of Bangkok

Source: Wikipedia

Note: Currently the system covers only the inner city areas of Bangkok.

1. This is a view of Surasak BTS station on Sathorn road taken from the footbridge. Although the BTS elevated viaduct tends to blend into the background. The stations are quite large and tend to stick out.

2. This is a view of the ticket office and ticket barriers at Surasak BTS station. Taken from the western end of the station. The small blue objects on top of the ticket barriers are the smart card readers.

3. This is an image of a typical ticket vending machine at Surasak BTS station. The fares are based on the number of stations traveled (Distance based fare system) the minimum fare is 15 baht and the maximum fare is 40 baht a trip. The ticket machines only take 5 and 10 baht coins and issue a credit card sized magnetic ticket.

4. To exit from the train platforms you must use the stairs. There are no down escalators unlike on the MRT subway. Taken at National Stadium station.

5. To climb up to access the stations and platforms stairs and escalators are both available. Taken at National Stadium station.

6. This is an alternative view of the ticket barriers at National Stadium station.

7. This is an alternative view of the ticket office at National Stadium station. Note the ticket machines in the background. Every station has security guards at the ticket barriers to control the flow of people and to check for terrorist activity such as bombs. The small table is used to inspect passenger’s bags at times.

8. This is a typical BTS station platform all stations are in this style except for Saphan Taksin and Siam stations. Taken at Surasak BTS station.

9. This is a poster advertising the 40 trips in 30 days discounted travel pass. This is what the BTS promotes as a monthly pass.

10. This is a shot of 2 BTS trains passing each other at the eastern end of Surasak BTS station.

11. This is a short movie showing what it is like to ride on a BTS train. Filmed between Saphan Taksin and Surasuk BTS stations. Note the layout of the train and the gentle smooth ride of the train.

12. This is a poor quality image of the driver’s controls on the BTS train. The trains appear to be able to travel up to 100kph but always travel in normal service well below this speed.

13. This is an image of Saphan Taskin BTS station. This station is unusual in that it has only 1 platform. Also this station will remain as a single platform for both directions when the Thonburi/Wong Wien Yai BTS extension opens some time in the future. Thus this is the only single track section on a modern mass transit system in South East Asia.

14. This is a shot of the now complete but unused BTS extension into Thonburi taken from the western end of Saphan Taskin BTS station. This extension’s opening has been delayed since 2006 and is now expected to open in late 2008. This extension was funded by Bangkok city council.

15. This is a picture of a typical platform security guard. Their main job is to keep people off the tracks and to keep watch for terror activities.

16. This is a Siemens built BTS train stored just outside Saphan Taksin BTS station.

17. This is an inside shot of a BTS train taken at Onnut BTS station. Note: the large amount of grab handles and standing space. Also all BTS trains have longitudinal seating.

18. This is an image of the platform direction signs at the top of the escalators at Siam station. This station has 4 island type platforms. These platforms allow cross platform transfers between the 2 BTS lines.

19. This is a shot of the upper island platform at Siam station. Trains to Mochit and National Stadium depart from here.

20. This is a commemorative monument noting the opening of the BTS system by HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn on the upper level platforms at Siam station.

21. This is a view of the track layout at the National Stadium end of Siam station.

22. This is an image of 2 BTS trains heading west and north away from Siam station.

23. This is an image of 2 BTS trains passing through the above layout at Siam station. The train on the left is heading to National Stadium and the train on the right is heading to Mochit.

24. This is a view of the track layout at the eastern end of Siam station.

25. This is an image of the platform makers at Siam station. These markers tell people where they should stand when waiting for the next train. These markers also help to keep the doors clear for passengers who are exiting the train.

26. This is an image of 2 BTS trains stored at the end of the line at Onnut station. Behind the trains is the construction of the Samrong BTS extension. The train on the right will form the next train to Mochit.

27. This is a close up of a railway signal on the end of the platform at Onnut BTS station.

28. This is a picture of a BTS train waiting to depart Onnut station.

29. This a view of the BTS elevated track looking away from Onnut station.

30. This is a view of the entrance to Onnut BTS station. Taken from a linking footbridge.

31. This is an alternative view of the trains stored at Onnut station. Note the construction of the new BTS extension.

32. This is a general view of a mid line train holding area near Asoke BTS station. Note how densely developed this area is.

33. This is a shot of a BTS train approaching Asoke station. This station is one of three interchange points for the MRT subway system. The interchange stations are Asoke, Silom and Mochit.

34. This is a picture of the emergency train stop control on each platform at every station. These are used when someone falls onto the track or other major hazards.

35. This is a typical exit map found at BTS and MRT stations. This helps passengers to find which exit is closest to where they want to go and if there are any sky bridges to there building.

36. This is an image of the linking walkway between the BTS and MRT systems at Asoke. The 2 lines do not share stations or ticket systems. Fare integration is due to happen in the future.

37. This is a view of the entrance to Sukhumvit MRT station. Note the MRT does not use the same names at interchanges with the BTS. Also unlike on the BTS all passengers must pass a bag inspection to enter the MRT subway system.

38. This is a shot of a typical MRT subway station. This was taken at Klong Toei MRT station. Note: the platform screen doors and the clean and well-lit station.

39. This is a movie showing the MRT station at Sukhumvit (Asoke) and the platform screen doors in use plus boarding of the train and a short ride towards to Hualamphong station.

40. This is a short movie showing what its is like to ride on a MRT subway train. Filmed between Petchaburi and Rama 9 stations. Note the train announcements and the opening and closing of doors etc.

41. This is a view of station concourse at Klong Toei MRT station. Note the ticket barriers and the very bright ticket office.

42. This is an inside view of a MRT train. Note: the longitudinal seating and large amount of standing space and handrails.

43. This is a view of the paid passenger area inside Chatuchak Park MRT station.

44. This is a shot of the ticket machine in Chatuchak Park MRT station. These ticket machines are more modern than on the BTS and take both coins and notes. The machine issues a small black round disk about the size of a 10 baht coin.

45. This is a view of the entrance to Mochit BTS station. The MRT is not directly connected to the BTS station. You have to exit to the street and then walk a little and enter the BTS. All other MRT stations have some kind of direct walkway to connect the BTS and MRT stations together.

46. This is a view of a couple of BTS trains on the BTS track that leads to the BTS maintenance yard at Mochit station.

47. This is a shot of the park and ride at Mochit BTS station. Note the track and building behind it. This is the BTS maintenance yard.

48. This is another view of the BTS maintenance yard and “park and ride”. This area used to be a major bus terminal for intercity buses to the north and north east of Thailand. The bus terminal was moved about 1.5km away to a place called Mochit 2.

49. This is a view of the BTS train passing behind Victory Monument on the curved track. Victory Monument is the main inner city bus terminal for city buses in Bangkok. More than 100 bus routes operate from here.

50. This is a shot of the different kinds of tickets used on the BTS and MRT systems of Bangkok. The 2 cards on the left are MRT stored value smartcards. The white card is the BTS smartcard. The small paper tickets are Bus tickets. The small paper ticket to the far right with A on it is the Dao Khanong mass transit boat service ticket.