SRT: Bang Sue Junction and Station.

Last weekend I visited Bang Sue Station to take photographs of various trains and station infrastructure. Bang Sue Junction is the busiest SRT railway junction in the whole of Thailand. The station serves trains on the main north line and the main south line. These two lines represent 80% of all train movements in Bangkok by SRT.

Bang Sue is also home to a massive but largely under used rail yard. The rail yard occupies approximately 8 km sq of land on the northern edge of the inner city of Bangkok. The rail yard consists of passenger station, locomotive workshops, passenger carriage sidings, freight terminal and freight sidings. Some of the unused rail yard land is leased to Bangkok city council for parklands and markets.

Bang sue station is planned to be come the new central station of Bangkok as a number of new metro projects are planned to intersect at Bang Sue station. A new modern 12 platform station will be built near the current site of the passenger station.

Currently Bang Sue station is connected to the rest of Bangkok by an underground MRT line and 5 different bus routes that service areas to the north west of the station. The road access to Bang Sue station is from the western side of the station near Siam Cement Company.

If you are travelling on a long distance SRT train to the north or south of Thailand. Bang Sue is a better place to board your train than Hualamphong. It also much quicker to advance book long distance train tickets here. The separation of Main North line platforms and Main south line platforms also makes it easier to find your train.

If you arrive at Bang Sue by MRT when you exit the MRT station do a U turn as you exit and to the left is the Main South line platforms and to the right are the Main North line platforms. Most SRT commuter trains depart from the Main North Platforms.

1. This is a shot of the long tunnel that links Bang Sue MRT station with Bang Sue SRT station. It’s a good 5 min walk between both stations. This tunnel is temporary until the new SRT station is built at some point in the future.

2. This is a shot of the MRT station entrance. Taken looking northwest from the bus terminal.

3. This is a shot of the Bang Sue station Bus and Taxi terminal. This is one of only two SRT stations that have a proper local bus terminal.

4. This is an image of the southern line platforms at Bang Sue station. If you are traveling on the Main South line you need to wait here.

5. This is another angle on the southern platforms at Bang Sue station.

6. This is a shot of the Thai Astrology shop and Thai Massage shop on platform 1 of the southern Bang Sue station.

7. This is an image of the outbound Main South line timetable. The 9xx train numbers are weekend special trains.

8. This is an image of the inbound Main South line timetable.

9. This is the Bang Sue southern platforms ticket office. If you travel on the Main South line you need to by tickets here. It is busy due to a public holiday weekend.

10. Like at most Thai major transport terminals there is a 7 – eleven shop. This is very useful for buying snack food and drinks etc.

11. This is a shot of the walkway linking the northern platforms of Bang Sue station with the Bus terminal and MRT station. Note the path is shared with motorbikes.

12. This is a shot of the MRT Park and Ride station. To access it you can either walk across via the above path or use the steel footbridge. There is parking for about 1000 cars.

13. This is an image of platform 1 of the Northern Bang Sue station. Taken looking south from next to the parcels office. Note the old boxes on the platform outside the parcels office.

14. This is an image of the inbound timetable on the northern platforms at Bang Sue.

15. This is a shot of the recently upgraded ticket office on the northern platforms at bang sue. If travelling on the main north line you buy tickets here. Window number 3 is the very helpful advanced booking office and monthly pass office.

16. This is a shot of a northbound commuter train leaving the station as I was photographing the station.

17. This is an image of the outbound timetable on the Main North line platforms at Bang Sue.

18. This is a general view of the northern platforms at Bang Sue station. About 10 years ago this small station had to handle all northern and southern line trains. Now it only services northern line trains and commuter.

19. This is a shot of the public library at Bang Sue station. The sign on the carriage states it came from the London metropolitan railway.

20. This is a view of the track and point layouts at the northern end of the north bang sue platforms. These tracks lead into the carriage sidings and the freight terminal.

21. This is a close up shot of one of the typical dwarf signals attached to the point motor. These points split from the middle of the station platform. At night the signals light up.

Now onto the trains and locomotives of Bang Sue Junction station.

22. This is a shot of a SRT loco number 4556 running light engine though the southern platforms on the way to the workshops.

23. This is another angle on SRT loco number 4556 as it heads north. This loco is a recent GE brand locomotive.

24. This is a general view of the freight yard that is approximately 500 meters east of the passenger station.

25. This is a general view of the passenger carriage sidings next to the passenger station.

26. This is a shot of SRT loco number 4557 waiting to depart the southern platforms on a main south line train. Note this GE locomotive is NGV powered.

27. This is a shot of the International Express train to Butterworth in Malaysia just after it cleared the northern end of the southern line platforms at bang sue. This train is one of only two premier SRT long distance trains.

28. This is a movie of the international express train departing Bang Sue station and also shown is SRT loco number 4525 running light engine in the carriage yards. This is a GE locomotive.

29. This is a picture of SRT loco number 4525 running light engine into the carriage sidings.

30. This is an image of the same loco as its just arriving to collect some carriages for a passenger train later in the day.

31. This is a shot of the same loco being attached to the passenger carriages in the sidings.

32. This is a movie showing SRT loco 4525 hauling some passenger carriages though the carriage sidings on the way to Hualamphong station. This is a GE locomotive.

33. This is a shot of a very late inbound Japanese DMU approaching Bang Sue station. This DMU is the same type as the Mahachai DMUs but with better seats for its 9 hour long trip.

34. This is an image of the same DMU taken looking south. It was doing a lot more than 30kph that the sign indicates.

35. This is a close up shot of SRT loco number 4106 as it collects some passenger carriages to take them down to Hualamphong station.

36. This is another angle on SRT loco number 4106 showing the carriages it was pulling.

37. This is a movie showing SRT loco 4106 hauling some carriages though the carriage sidings. Also shown is SRT loco 4503 arriving with a train to the deep south of Thailand. This is a GE locomotive.

38. This is a shot of SRT loco number 4503 waiting to depart bang sue station on another main south line train.

39. This is a shot of the same GE loco pulling hard though the twisted tracks at the northern end of bang sue station. Note the thin column of smoke from the loco.

40. This is a shot of SRT loco number 4109 pulling a very full northeast line intercity/commuter train. Taken as it powers though the southern platforms express track.

41. This is a very good shot of SRT loco 4109 chasing an main south line train though the twisted track at the northern end of bang sue station. Note the people on the steps this train was stuffed full with people heading up country.

42. This is a shot of the same two trains as the run next to each other for a couple of kilometers before the main south train turns to the left. Again note the rather full train.

43. This is a poor quality image of a very full long distance main south line train to Sungai Kolok in the Deep South. A number of these people would be standing for at least 16 hours as the train is fully booked right though to the end of the line. A tip book at least a week before if you want a seat on any main south line train.

I hope you find the pictures and vehicles shown to be of interest if you view this please post some comments and feelings about the pictures.

The Mega Mochit 2 Bus Terminal.

Mochit 2 is Thailand’s largest intercity bus terminal. It services routes to the north and northeast areas of Thailand. Also bus routes to central areas and the east depart from this terminal. At Mochit 2 there is also a metro bus terminal which allows commuter bus access to the terminal from many different parts of Bangkok.

A little background on Mochit 2.

The original Mochit bus terminal used to be located close to Mochit BTS station. When the BTS was built the old Mochit terminal was removed to make way for the BTS train workshops and park and ride area for the BTS system. However in moving this terminal to its current location meant that Mochit 2 would not have BTS access.

The current location of Mochit bus terminal is about 1.5km north west of Mochit BTS station. This new terminal has become known as Mochit 2. The terminal is built on leased land from SRT rail. The land used to be part of the Bang Sue rail yards.

Mochit 2 is not a very easy place to access by bus or taxi due to the stupid road layout around it. Basically any bus has to do at least 2 U turns on major roads to get access to the bus terminal. This mess appears to be an attempt at reducing the number of traffic lights around the terminal in a bid to reduce long queues of buses and cars.

However, despite the bad road access. The terminal itself is built in a similar style to an airport. There are 2 separate bus ticketing areas in Mochit 2. The 1^st floor houses ticket offices and waiting areas for destinations in the northern and central region. The 2^nd floor houses bus company offices and staff areas. The 3^rd floor houses the ticket offices and waiting areas for destinations in the Northeastern region.

The Buses all depart from the ground level in 3 areas behind the terminal building. Access to all 3 areas is either from a footbridge from level 3 or from the doors on level 1.

The passenger facilities at Mochit 2 include a number of 7-eleven stores, luggage storage, banks, toilets and showers, market area, 4 food courts and airconditioned waiting areas. The level of passenger facilities is similar to that of an airport.

However a word of warning do not eat the food in the bus terminal unless it is prepackaged food. Most food in Thailand at bus terminals, on trains and on railway platforms is of very low standard and can make people who are new to Thailand very ill. Even some locals will not eat the bus and railway station food. You have been warned. So bring your own food on bus and train trips.

Local bus connections and ticket office locations.

This is a list of the local Bangkok bus services from Mochit 2 to different major tourist areas of inner city Bangkok

If heading to Hualamphong SRT station: Take Route 49 (4.15am to 10.15pm) every 10 to 15 mins.

If heading to Khao San Rd: Take Route 3 (24 hours) every 10 to 15 mins.

If heading to Mochit BTS station: Take Route 145 (24 hours) every 5 to 10 mins.

If heading to Sukhumvit rd: Take Route 77 (2am to 11pm every 5 to 10 mins) to Central World then take Route 511 Normal route (24 hours every 2 to 5 mins) to Sukhumvit road. A faster option is via BTS from Mochit BTS station see above.

If heading to Rama 4 OR Silom: Take route 77 (2am to 11pm) every 5 to 10 mins OR Route 145 (24 hours) every 5 to 10 mins to Mochit BTS then BTS to Silom area.

If heading to Victory Monument: Take Route 77 (2am to 11pm) every 5 to 10 mins.

These buses all depart from the BMTA bus terminal on the south side of the bus terminal. Exit the main terminal building and walk to the right and walk though the market and you will reach the BMTA bus terminal.

There are a very large amount of different bus routes operating from Mochit 2 each with there own ticket counters. This is a list of which part of Mochit 2 you should go to when buying your tickets.

Central region buses: Ticket counters are located along the back wall on the ground/1st floor of the main terminal building.

Eastern region buses: Ticket counters are located along the wall just inside the main entrance doors on the ground/1st floor of the main terminal building.

Northern region buses: Ticket counters are located outside along the front wall of the main terminal building near the main entrance.

North Eastern (Issan) region buses: Ticket counters are located on the 3^rd floor of the main terminal building access is via an escalator on the outside of the main terminal building or via internal stairs or lift.

Now on to the photographs I took at Mochit 2 bus terminal.

1. This is a shot of the 2^nd class bus ticket counters to the north of Thailand. Taken from outside the main entrance.

2. This is a shot of the 1^st and VIP bus ticket counters to the north of Thailand. Taken from outside the main entrance.

3. This is an image of the 1^st floor waiting area inside the main terminal building. Taken looking to the southern end.

4. This is another angle on the 1^st floor waiting area inside the main terminal building. Taken looking to the northern end.

5. This is a picture of the central region commuter bus ticket counter on the 1^st floor of the main terminal building.

6. This is a shot of one of the 4 Thai food courts inside the main terminal building. Taken from the northern end of the 3^rd floor.

7. This is a shot of the northeast region 2^nd class ticket counters. Taken on the 3^rd floor of the main terminal building.

8. This is a shot of the northeast region 1^st class and VIP ticket counters. Taken on the 3^rd floor of the main terminal building.

9. This is a shot of the 3^rd floor ticketing and waiting area. Looking to the southern end.

10. This is a shot of the 3^rd floor passenger drop off and taxi area.

11. This is a rather poor image of the Left luggage area located at the southern end of the 3^rd floor.

12. This is a movie showing the central region bus departure area and the 1^st floor ticketing and waiting area. Note the large crowds of people and the condition of the bus area.

13. This is an image of the central region bus departure area. This was a very hard image to take, as the covered area is dark and its bright outside.

14. This is an image of the northeastern region bus departure area in the middle section of the bus terminal. Note the additional food and drinks stands.

This next section of the post is related to the buses and associated infrastructure.

15. This is a general view of the buses waiting to depart in the central region bus area. Most of these buses are of Mercedes type.

16. This is another general view of the buses waiting to depart in the central region bus area. Most of these buses are of Mercedes type.

17. This is a shot of the buses waiting at the undercover part of the central region bus area. The buses have to reverse out to depart. Most of these buses don’t have the reversing beepers found in western countries.

18. This is a shot of a 2^nd class route 9906 Mochit 2 – Rayong bus. Bus number 2^nd class 9906-18. This bus appears to be a merc.

19. This is a general view of part of the northern bus departure area. Looking towards the northern end. This section has a greater variety of buses.

20. This is a shot of a 1^st class route 913 Mochit 2 – Phitsanulok bus. Bus number 1^st class 913 – 20. This bus appears to be a Volvo. Note; the aircon on this bus appears to run off the engine directly rather than from a separate roof mounted aircon system.

21. This is an image of a 1^st class intercity route 18 Mochit 2 – Chiang Mai bus. Bus number 1^st class 18 – 1. This bus appears to be a MAN. Man buses are quite rare in Thailand.

22. This is an image of an older 1^st class intercity route 14 Mochit 2 – Lom Sak. Bus number 1^st class 14 – 24. This bus appears to be a Scania.

23. This is a side on shot of a 1^st class intercity route 21 Mochit 2 – Nakorn Ratchasima (Korat) Bus. Bus number 1^st class 21 – 61. Bus type unknown. This route operates every 15 mins 24 hours a day.

24. This is an image of a 2^nd class intercity route 21 bus. Bus number 2^nd class 21 – 62. Bus type unknown.

25. This is a general view of the north bus departure area. Looking south towards the BMTA bus area.

26. This is a view of a number of different routes waiting to depart from the northern end of the northern bus departure area.

27. This is a shot of a 2^nd class route 929 Mochit 2 – Yasothon – Khemmarat bus. Bus number 2^nd class 929 – 3. Bus type unknown.

28. This is a shot of a group of 1^st class intercity buses waiting for passengers at the northern end of the central bus area.

29. This is a shot of a newer intercity route 21 bus. Bus number 1^st class 21 – 120. Bus type unknown.

30. This is a general view of a bus holding area near the arrival terminal at the back of Mochit 2. During peak periods these holding areas are used for bus departures.

31. This is a general view of the northern end of the northeast bus departure area.

32. This is a shot of a 2^nd class intercity route 23 Mochit 2 – Nong Khai bus. Bus number 2^nd class 23 – 20. Bus type unknown.

33. This is a shot of 2 very modern double decker 2^nd class intercity buses. These operate on route 956 Mochit 2 – Maesot. Taken in the bus storage area. Bus type appears to be Merc.

34. This is a general view of a number of different buses in the bus storage area behind the bus departure area.

35. This is a front on shot of 3 very modern intercity buses. One bus appears to be a double deck volvo and the others are double deck mercs.

36. This is a shot of a few older O404 merc intercity buses waiting near the workshops.

37. This is a shot of a VIP bus undergoing repairs in the workshop.

38. This is a general view of the intercity bus workshops.

39. This is another general view of the bus holding area full with a number of different types of buses. To the left of this area is the bus fuelling point.

40. This is a shot of a 2^nd class route 904 Mochit 2 – Sara buri bus. Bus number 2^nd class 904 – 1521. Bus type unknown.

41. This is a picture of a 1^st class route 921 Mochit 2 – Aranyapratet (Cambodia) bus. Bus number 1^st class 921 – 650. Bus type unknown.

42. This is a shot of the bus fuelling area behind Mochit 2. One side of the fuelling area is used for overload bus storage.

43. This is an image of a 1^st class route 9904 Mochit 2 – Chonburi bus. Bus number 1^st class 9904 – 7. Bus type unknown.

44. This is a shot of a 1^st class route 9909 Mochit 2 – Laemchabang bus. Bus number 1^st class 9909 – 1. This is bus appears to be a merc and is powered by NGV.

45. This is a general view of the main bus entrance to the Mochit 2 bus terminal. The walkway links the intercity bus terminal with the BMTA local bus terminal.

46. This is a shot of a VIP intercity route 26 Mochit 2 – Udon Thani – Nakhon Phanom bus. Bus number VIP 26 – 793. This bus is a Volvo B12B.

47. This is a shot of the large amount of buses that use Mochit 2 bus terminal. This is taken looking northward from the southern bus holding area.

48. This is a movie showing the amount of bus movements in Mochit 2 bus terminal. The buses come and go every few seconds all day long. Also shown are 2 buses that almost crashed into each other when turning.

49. This is a front on shot of the same VIP double deck bus operating on route 26.

50. This is an image of a NCA intercity route 20 Mochit 2 – Khon Kaen bus. Bus number NCA 20 – 111. This is a rather odd bodied merc bus. This company has the best buses in Thailand and is the safest bus company to use.

51. This is a view of single and double deck intercity buses in the bus storage yard behind the north east bus departure area.

52. This is a shot of a 1^st class intercity Mochit 2 – Ban Thaton bus. Bus number unknown blocked by open hatches. Bus type Volvo.

53. This is a shot of an older single deck merc O404 VIP bus operating on the Mochit 2 – Lampang route. Bus number VIP 999 – 707. Most older VIP buses operate without a set route number and use route 999 as their number.

54. This is a close up shot of a 2^nd class route 964 Mochit 2 – Li – Chomthong bus. Bus number 2^nd class 964 – 1702. This is a very modern Merc double deck bus.

55. This is a picture of a VIP route 922 Mochit 2 – Payao bus. Bus number VIP 922 – 703. This is an older Merc intercity VIP bus.

56. This is an inside shot of a double deck VIP intercity bus. Note the 1+2 seating layout. Much more comfortable for long distances than a typical Australian 2+2 seating intercity bus.

I hope you find the pictures and vehicles shown to be of interest if you view this please post some comments and feelings about the pictures.