Bangkok Subway

The Subway, Bangkok's newest mass transit system owned and operated by the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) and the Bangkok Metro Company Limited (BMCL), was launched on 3 July 2004.

The subway route is 20 kilometres long with 18 stations and three interchange stations that connect to the city's other overhead mass transit rail system, the Skytrain. One of the subway stations is located right next to the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre. More interchange stations will come on stream after line extensions to the Skytrain are completed.

The subway operates from 05.00hrs - 24.00hrs every day at a frequency of 4-6 minutes per train. During rush hours (06.00hrs - 09.00hrs and 16.30hrs - 19.30hrs), the frequency increases to 2-4 minutes per train.

All the subway stations are air-conditioned and well equipped with elevators, escalators, shops, ATM machines, public telephone kiosks and ticket vending machines which accept both notes and coins as well as return change.

The subway will run from the city's main railway station, Hua Lamphong, under two major thoroughfares, Rama 4 Road and Ratchadaphisek Road.

The Metro's Thai name is pronounced 'Rot Fai Fah Dhai Din Mahanakhon', literally "city underground electric train".

The BMT will operate its 18 bus lines in seven stations: Kamphaeng Phet Station, Lat Phrao Station, Huai Khwang Station, Thailand Cultural Centre Station, Phetchaburi Station, Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre (QSNCC) and Sam Yan Station.

Linking several hotels, shopping centres and business districts, as well as the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre, the Subway is expected to make a major contribution in attracting more visitors to Thailand and boosting the average length of stay in Bangkok.

PARK-AND-RIDE

Special park-and-ride facilities have been established to help reduce traffic congestion. The Lat Phrao Station has a parking building for 2,000 cars while the Thailand Cultural Centre Station provides a building of up to 200 cars. Parking is being provided especially for subway passengers at a nominal rate. Moreover, the MRTA has also co-operated with the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA), operator of the city bus service, to link seven subway stations with 18 bus lines for commuters who live in the suburbs and do not always wish to take their cars.