Bangkok's MRT blue line, could resume running on the morning of September 21 after a fire damaged trackside electrical cables between Tao Poon and Bang Pho stations.
The Department of Rail Transport and the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) have been instructed to complete urgent repairs following the incident, which led to the entire system being shut down.
Deputy Transport Minister Phattarapong Phattaraprasit inspected the affected section after a short circuit in electrical cables along the track alignment sparked a fire at 12.30 p.m. The blaze was quickly extinguished.
Safety checks before trains return
The deputy minister also inspected the power supply room at Tao Poon station, where smoke was detected at 1.15 p.m. Although no fire broke out in the room, electrical sparks left burn marks.
Picture courtesy of Amarin
A full inspection of the system is now under way to establish the precise cause of the fault and determine whether the rail network is ready to operate safely.
Phattarapong said the situation was under control, with Bangkok Expressway and Metro Plc (BEM) preparing to repair the damaged equipment. Repair work is due to be accelerated overnight in an effort to restore services on the morning of September 21.
However, both the MRTA and BEM must first receive confirmation from relevant agencies that the system is safe for passengers before trains can run again. The ministry said safety would take priority over the target reopening date.
Bus shuttles planned if delays continue
If repairs and inspections cannot be completed on schedule, or if safety cannot be confirmed, the Transport Ministry has prepared a contingency plan with the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA).
The plan would provide temporary shuttle buses in the affected areas to help reduce disruption while the MRT remains closed.
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21 September 2026
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