Second Bangkok Mass Transit System on Schedule

Bangkok's second major mass transit system is on track for a test run on April 13, 2004, in preparation for an official opening on August 12, 2004, Her Majesty the Queen's Birthday.

The subway rail system will run from the city's main railway station, Hua Lamphong, under two major thoroughfares linking the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre with several more hotels, shopping centres and business districts. Its route is 20 kilometres long with 17 stations and four interchange stations that will connect to the Skytrain. More interchange stations will come on stream after line extensions to the Skytrain are completed.

TAT Governor Mrs. Juthamas Siriwan said, "The subway will supplement the existing Bangkok Skytrain that is already playing a major role in helping visitors, business people and convention delegates get around easily and conveniently. Bangkok is already known as an exciting, vibrant city and these transit systems will make it even more lively. The subway will make a substantial contribution to increasing visitors' average length of stay and daily expenditure."

The subway is one of a number of infrastructure and transportation development projects underway in Bangkok and nationwide. Others include extension of the highway network in the provinces, improved seaport facilities and construction of the New Bangkok International Airport (Suvarnabhumi Airport).

The foundation stone of the subway was laid at Hua Lamphong train station on November 19, 1996, and construction began in 1997. It will be operated by private investors on a 25-year concession from the government's Mass Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA).

Safety has been a primary consideration in the construction of the subway. Nearly all the materiel used for the construction of the station and cave are non-combustible and non-flammable, except in some special cases where such materiel cannot be used. However, all materiel is non-toxic.

The highest international standards have been used for the design of accident prevention and evacuation systems. The subway is well-equipped with fire alarms, fire fighting systems, ventilation fans, under platform extraction fans, emergency escapes, air pressurisation systems and stretcher hoists. Modern communication technology is also being used to allow the use of mobile phones in all stations.

Mrs Juthamas said, "We are confident that the subway will make a valuable contribution towards improving the overall quality of the visitor experience and making Thailand the "Tourism Capital of Asia."