The New Skytrain

[Lakegeneve]

On 6/18/2013 at 3:12 PM, Lakegeneve said:

You would have noticed in the summary list that I always list the Grey and Black (Teal/Azure in some places) lines at the bottom of the list. These two lines are the most recent having only been proposed 2-3 years ago. (Though that Ngam Wong Wan - Kaset Namawin line mentioned above may rise again as the Brown line - more on that later).

All other lines have been in proposal for at least a decade with many having undergone modifications and changes due to various combinations of govts, dysfunction and delays. The Grey and Black lines are not part of the current govts priorities, nor were they the previous govts. In fact the current govt made it quite clear that if these 2 lines were to be constructed it would be into the next decade. That seemed reasonable.

Grey Line

However, the BMA has decided that the Grey Line (26km, 21 stations) is a priority and is now pursuing it 100% (if that means anything in a mass transit context). The BMA stated late last week that an EIA will be completed for the line by the end of the year with a view to issuing a tender early next year. The BMA wants this to be, yet another, monorail line (sigh!) and believes that the line can be constructed in a 3 year time frame. That would make 3 potential monorail lines (Pink 100%, Yellow still to be decided and Grey) in BKK. A problem for the future.

I doubt that the timeframe that the BMA has stated is achievable as this line still needs much development. However, it is interesting that the BMA is reportedly so keen to pursue it. It seems the Gov wants a major transport legacy before his term expires. It may also help the Dems votes it what becomes PT strongholds to the east of the line. The cost is said to be 32 billion baht but that it not a detailed costing at this stage. Realistically, this should be funded by the central govt via the MRTA. It should also be a heavy rail line and mostly underground.

I'd suggest that it would be unlikely that this line would be built before 2018/19 even with it being a priority of the BMA but let's wait and see if much progresses in the next 6 months.

Route:

The line basically follows the N-S alignment of Pradit Monutham rd (Chalong Rat Expressway) from Ram Inthra down to Rama 9 then Thonglor (connect with BTS) along Suk soi 38 to Rama 4, along Rama 4 to Ratchapisek rd (connects with MRT) then Ratchadapisek all the way to Rama 9 bridge. It would have 6 interchanges with other lines.

The list of proposed stations is;

1. Watcharaphon - Pink Line

2. Nuanchan

3. Kaset - nawamin

4. Yothin Phatthana

5. Lad Phrao 87 - Yellow Line

6. Chalongrat

7. Wang Thonglang

8. Nawasri/Ramkhamhaeng 21 - Orange Line (??)

9. Rama 9 Road

10. Thonglor 25

11. Thonglor 10

12. Thonglor - BTS

13. Sukhumvit 38

14. Klong Tan

15. Rama 4 road

16. Ratchada/Rama 4 - MRT

17. Klong Toei

18. Rama 3 road

19. Narathiwat - BRT

20. Sathupradit

21. Rama 9 Bridge

 

In other news, the BMA has finally completed the EIA of the Grey line. (This after they originally announced that it would be operational by 2015!)

 

I'd expect bidding on Phase 1 of this line for sometime next year.

 

"The first phase of the construction, which runs between Watcharapol and Thong Lor, with a total length of 16.25km, will require an investment of 27-30 billion baht. It will take about three years to complete.  The second phase runs between Phra Khanong and Rama III, with a total length of 12.17km. The third phase spans Rama III to Tha Phra, with a total length of 11.49km."

 

[Touch wood]

Do I need to complete the enforced TM28 Form before travelling between districts on the train.
Is this law only for outside of Bangkok for example jump in a bus from Bangkok to go to the Beach resort in the South, and every time you go through different districts states over fifty in Thailand. By law you have to go to many different Royal immigration official offices & report new TM28 each time you cross the State line. Or if you get pulled up 4000 fine everytime no
TM28.

[fruitman]

10 hours ago, Touch wood said:

Do I need to complete the enforced TM28 Form before travelling between districts on the train.
Is this law only for outside of Bangkok for example jump in a bus from Bangkok to go to the Beach resort in the South, and every time you go through different districts states over fifty in Thailand. By law you have to go to many different Royal immigration official offices & report new TM28 each time you cross the State line. Or if you get pulled up 4000 fine everytime no
TM28.

 

You have to let the police know where you are staying, so go to them in every city you want to stay.

[Touch wood]

29 minutes ago, fruitman said:

 

You have to let the police know where you are staying, so go to them in every city you want to stay.

freedomnow has his finger on the post regarding enforcement for aliens, he has just posted in this Chiang Mai form http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881962-immigration-promenada-one-stop-service-2016/?page=24

Boo hoo, I got the TM30 penalty yesterday 1600 Baht even though they were notified in May this year at same address (I did leave the country though 6 weeks ago), wrote my address on TM7 on re-entry....nice little earner going on right now with the TM28/TM30 retroactive penalty now being enforced. I have lived at same address all this time in Thailand, and extensions of any kind were never an issue without doing the Tm28/30 dance with no TM30 being submitted after my very first one a few years back at same address except something this year for some reason in May.... only 90-day reporting of address seemed to be fine.
So we need TM7 reporting of address on arrival.
TM28/30 reporting of address now by tenant and building owner within 48 hours.
AND
every 90 days address reporting for those on extensions...unreal !
It's all going Indian style with the paperwork requirements.

[brewsterbudgen]

freedomnow has his finger on the post regarding enforcement for aliens, he has just posted in this Chiang Mai form http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881962-immigration-promenada-one-stop-service-2016/?page=24
Boo hoo, I got the TM30 penalty yesterday 1600 Baht even though they were notified in May this year at same address (I did leave the country though 6 weeks ago), wrote my address on TM7 on re-entry....nice little earner going on right now with the TM28/TM30 retroactive penalty now being enforced. I have lived at same address all this time in Thailand, and extensions of any kind were never an issue without doing the Tm28/30 dance with no TM30 being submitted after my very first one a few years back at same address except something this year for some reason in May.... only 90-day reporting of address seemed to be fine.
So we need TM7 reporting of address on arrival.
TM28/30 reporting of address now by tenant and building owner within 48 hours.
AND
every 90 days address reporting for those on extensions...unreal !
It's all going Indian style with the paperwork requirements.

Only in Chiang Mai though!

[Crossy]

OK chaps, let's not de-rail this thread with immigration issues :)

 

[dantilley]

On 10/10/2016 at 1:46 PM, Lakegeneve said:

Sorry Dantilley, I have been away for a while.

 

Still no order placed as yet for the 7 new 5 car sets of rolling stock! This despite the fact that the funds were allocated in mid 2013 and that rolling stock generally takes 2 years to deliver.....thus the SRT could have easily had new stock by now had they placed an order by late 2013.

 

Perhaps, by 2020 those new trains will arrive.....

 

The Express trains have been revamped and the luggage car can now take pax so that will help a little until people start dying due to overcrowding.

 

Thanks @Lakegeneve. More upgrades and improvements on their way according to this article  <link to Bangkok Post removed, sorry> also mentions that the new trains should be ordered early next year. The timescale is meaningless, of course, but at least it shows the intention is there and that they acknowledge that something needs to be done.

[Lakegeneve]

On 9/7/2016 at 9:49 PM, IsaanUSA said:

Archstudent posted a new map, but the URL doesn't load for me:  http://cdn.mx7.com/i/b4c/fhRgRi.jpg

 

Hopefully, this uploads for you Isaan...

[IsaanUSA]

I can see that, thank you.  Must be blocked by region.

[Lakegeneve]

On 8/30/2016 at 4:48 PM, Lakegeneve said:

The usual caveat....this is only a summary and all is subject to change. Politics, dysfunction and a lack of coordination abounds in the implementation of mass transit policy and projects. 

Please note that numbers only refer to projects/lines or expected extensions loosely based on future plans - numbers have nothing to do with the MOT/OTP master plan.

 

A few issues to note;

1) Tenders are finally out for the Pink and Yellow monorail lines and the MRTA Orange Line. They were meant to be tendered in 2013, then 2014 then by June this year and well finally there is some progress. We may even see contracts signed by the end of 2017! If work does start next year on these 3 lines it mean significant progress as all lines are cross town links whcih will really form the basis of a proper network. (Do note my problems with monorail for both the pink and yellow lines).

2) The contractors for the Dark Red Line and new Bang Sue Terminal have requested for extensions to the completion date of between 1 to 3 years respectively. The Terminal really needs to open to make bothe the SRT suburban Red Lines viable. Added is the delay with the ARL extension to DMK and the issue of the Light Red extension to Hua Mark which I have discussed above. 

3) There are a bunch of new monorail proposals which I have not included, eg Gold Line on the west bank of the river to link the BTS and Purple lines. Aside from the MRTA lines, I have only included the 3 proposals listed at the end which have been around for many years.

 

Feel free to ask queries as they are a few people here with specialist knowledge but pls don't quote the whole list if you do post a query.

 

BANGKOK METRO & SUBURBAN NETWORK - SUMMARY LIST UPDATED 

 

     

C ) LINES CURRENTLY UNDER TENDER:

 

8) MRTA Orange Line: 36km, 29 stations (22 underground, 7 elevated) - . Phase 1 TCC (current Thai Cultural Center station) to Minburi (4-5 year construction).
Website: http://www.mrta-orangeline.net/
9) MRTA Pink Line (monorail): Khae Rai intersection to Miniburi via Pakred, Chaeng Wattana & Ram Inthra 36km, 30 stations. (should be heavy rail). http://www.mrta.co.th/pinkline/index.html
10) MRTA Yellow Line (Monorail): 30.4km, 21 stations. Phase 1 Latphrao to Hua Mark. (was previously heavy rail underground) http://www.mrta-yellowline.com/

 

D) LINES/EXTS TO BE TENDERED IN 2016?

            11) Airport Rail Link (ARL) extension from Phayathai to Bangsue to Don Meaung (DMK): 21.8km, 5 stations 

E) LINES/EXTS TO BE TENDERED IN 2017-2019?
12) Purple Line ext south. Taopoon to WWY then to Ratburna: 23.6 km. 17 stations (12.6km 10 stations underground, 11km 7 stations elevated)

13) SRT Dark Red Line north ext suburban line from Rangsit to Thammasat Uni: 8.5kms, 4 stations

14) Blue Line west ext to Phutthamonthon sai 4: 8km, 4 stations elevated

15) SRT Light Red line extension: Taling Chan to Salaya, 12km, 5 stations *SRT Light Red is metre gauge, diesel.
16) MRTA Grey Monorail Line: 26km, 21 stations. Rama 9 Bridge to Kaset-Nawamin/Ram Inthra. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MRT_Grey_Line

F) NEXT BATCH OF LINES/EXTs (2020>) - assuming that all goes well in the next 2-3 years
17) MRTA Yellow Line (Monorail) Phase 2: 30.4km, 21 stations. Phase 2 Hua Mark to Samrong.
18) Orange Line Phase 2, west section: From TCC to Bang Khunnon (Charan Sawitwong rd

 

 

A brief update.....The tenders for the Orange, Pink and Yellow lines should all be submitted within the next 10 days.

 

I suspect that the Orange line tender will be awarded fairly promptly, ie. by the end of the year and contracts signed hopefully in the 1st quarter of 2017. That could mean a mid year construction start date if all proceeds smoothly....which is rarely does!

 

I still think that there will be further delays with the Yellow and Pink lines but let's see if the MRTA can shock us!

 

The MRTA has also recently stated that it will process with the tenders for 3 lines in 2017;

12) Purple Line ext south,

14) Blue Line west ext,

18) Orange Line Phase 2 west.

 

Of those 3, the Purple Line and Blue line extensions are well advanced so it is highly plausible that those tenders could go ahead in 2017. I'd be more doubtful on the Orange Line Phase 2 but let's see how the Phase 1 tender and contract process advances first. 

[IsaanUSA]

Blue Line West extension....is that just adding 4 new stations?

[IsaanUSA]

1 hour ago, IsaanUSA said:

Blue Line West extension....is that just adding 4 new stations?

 

Quoting myself.....yes, 4 new stations.  I found more info over on SSC.

[Lakegeneve]

12 hours ago, IsaanUSA said:

Blue Line West extension....is that just adding 4 new stations?

Quote

14) Blue Line west ext to Phutthamonthon sai 4: 8km, 4 stations elevated

Quoting myself as well.........

 

Basically, it's an extra 8kms (just under 8kms actually) along Phtekasem rd past the Western Ring rd to Phutthamonthon sai 4 in Nakhon Pathom province. It's a no brainer and easy to tender while the full extension is still being built. One assumes the same contractor will have a good chance for the bid.

 

This is the current project map (divided by contracts) that I originally posted way back on pg 6 #138 when answering a query about the design of the Blue Line ext.

As you can see the current line finishes at Lak Song just before the Western Ring rd. Thus add another 7.8kms west.....

 

[Crossy]

LG. Do you have any information on the Purple Line south extension?

 

I've only seen vague maps which show nothing of real interest, south of Tao Poon is just masses of housing, if they plough through that lot there will be a lot of unhappy bunnies.

 

Are you sure you're not in the industry?

 

[ExpatOilWorker]

The other day I took my 2-years old out joyriding on the sky train. We went all the way to Bang Wa - Siam Square - Bearing and finally after about 2 hours got off at the same station we have entered.

I was surprised we were only charged the 15 baht minimum fee. I always thought that there were a time limitation build into the ticketing system.

[Crossy]

1 minute ago, ExpatOilWorker said:

The other day I took my 2-years old out joyriding on the sky train. We went all the way to Bang Wa - Siam Square - Bearing and finally after about 2 hours got off at the same station we have entered.

I was surprised we were only charged the 15 baht minimum fee. I always thought that there were a time limitation build into the ticketing system.

 

There is, I think it's 2 hours :)

 

Do be aware that the penalty for overstay is quite high (not sure exactly how high, I can check next week).

 

[ExpatOilWorker]

6 hours ago, Crossy said:

 

There is, I think it's 2 hours :)

 

Do be aware that the penalty for overstay is quite high (not sure exactly how high, I can check next week).

 

 

We must have been there just under 2 hours then. Looks like the penalty would be 52 baht.

 

From the BTS FAQ site:

 

Is there a time limit to remaining within the system once one has entered at the Automatic Entry Gate with a ticket?
Passengers who enter the system with a ticket can remain within the system not more than 120 minutes. Overstay penalty is according to the maximum fare

 

 

[jpinx]

On 28/10/2016 at 3:41 PM, ExpatOilWorker said:

 

We must have been there just under 2 hours then. Looks like the penalty would be 52 baht.

 

From the BTS FAQ site:

 

Is there a time limit to remaining within the system once one has entered at the Automatic Entry Gate with a ticket?
Passengers who enter the system with a ticket can remain within the system not more than 120 minutes. Overstay penalty is according to the maximum fare

 

 

That limit might be a bit tight when the new line opens from beyond Paknam all the way through to where-ever it's going to end up in the north of the city.  The other question would be:- Is it possible to get a token to allow you into a station and exit from the same station after 2 hours?

 

By the way,,  what's the latest forecast opening date for the BTS at Paknam?

 

 

[Lakegeneve]

On 11/2/2016 at 5:57 PM, jpinx said:

That limit might be a bit tight when the new line opens from beyond Paknam all the way through to where-ever it's going to end up in the north of the city.  The other question would be:- Is it possible to get a token to allow you into a station and exit from the same station after 2 hours?

 

By the way,,  what's the latest forecast opening date for the BTS at Paknam?

 

"(Work started mid 2012, 1^st stage opens mid 2017 –2nd stage 2018 - civil works progress 88%). "

 

Check the update 2 pages back post #508 and post #509. The BTS Group suggests the first section will open in March 2017 but at least after mid year looks more realistic.

I'd even suggest that if it opens by Sept 2017 we will be doing well.

[Lakegeneve]

On 10/28/2016 at 1:37 PM, Crossy said:

LG. Do you have any information on the Purple Line south extension?

 

I've only seen vague maps which show nothing of real interest, south of Tao Poon is just masses of housing, if they plough through that lot there will be a lot of unhappy bunnies.

 

Are you sure you're not in the industry?

 

I had posted a line map earlier in this thread but the link has gone as the MRTA seemingly has not maintained the project webpage which had the map I used, http://www.mrta-southpurpleline.com/ 

 

 

This MRTA video also does give an overview of the line route, 

 

 

For the section that you are concerned with this picture is from the current Purple Line looking south from Tao Poon station;

http://www.uppic.org/image-EB7F_53E483C0.jpg

 

From memory the line stays elevated for around 1.2 kms (need to check exact distance) as it heads in a SW direction through some narrow sois as shown here

 

The MRTA has to acquire a few plots of houses where it transitions underground

 

ordnance-ppl.jpg [1,145x674px] ฝากรูป
บริการรับฝากรูป ฝากฟรีไม่มีวันลบ ฝากรูปได้ไม่จำกัด ฝากรูปเร็ว โหลดรูปแรง เรื่องฝากรูปต้อง upic.me เท่านั้น!

 

 

before the line turns south into Samsen rd all the way down through Rattanakosin Island and Chinatown and under the river then past Wong Wian Yai.

It will then be elevated again for the second part of the line. 13 station underground and 10 elevated.

 

[Lakegeneve]

On 11/7/2016 at 3:50 PM, Lakegeneve said:

"(Work started mid 2012, 1^st stage opens mid 2017 –2nd stage 2018 - civil works progress 88%). "

 

Check the update 2 pages back post #508 and post #509. The BTS Group suggests the first section will open in March 2017 but at least after mid year looks more realistic.

I'd even suggest that if it opens by Sept 2017 we will be doing well.

 

Some great pics here of the BTS Southern extension by Khun Pisut, check out his FB

 

 

Credit and more pics; http://thinkofliving.com/2016/09/17/pov-knightsbridge-sky-river-ocean/

[Lakegeneve]

On 9/23/2014 at 11:06 AM, Lakegeneve said:

Blue Line extension - Tha Phra station

A great pic here of Blue Line extension Tha Phra station construction site. It will be built above the intersection of Phetkasem rd & Charan Sanit Wong rd (Inner Ring rd) which has a flyover.

 

 

Tha Phra station is unique as it is an interchange station for the same line - very rare in the world. Both levels serve the Blue Line, which is a fake loop line. The design also means that the Blue line can be extended further south along the Inner Ring rd in the future if required. (See the following post regarding the Grey line).

 

 

 

Although, an extension west further along Phetkasem rd is currently being evaluated and will the first priority for any possible future extensions of this line once this extension is complete.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A fairly decent video here of what Tha Phra station currently looks like and the section of track to the west portal of the river tunnel......try to ignore the 'Sky Wars esque' over the top music;

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[IsaanUSA]

MRT blue line, Sanam Chai station.

WOW, impressive!

 

https://www.facebook.com/RenderThailand/

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Lakegeneve]

^A unique & well designed station worthy of the Moscow metro...

 

A few quick updates before the end of the year - (I'll do a more comprehensive update in early Feb);

 

1) Blue Line Bang Sue-Tao Poon 'Missing link' -

Only in Thailand right......even under a junta using sec 44 this still can't be easily resolved. 

Don't expect this to open before mid 2017, more likely Sept 2017.

 

2) MRTA Pink and Yellow monorail lines - bids awarded

Contracts bids have been awarded but negotiations over the final price will continue for a few months. Then contracts will be signed

I would't expect to see work start until the last quarter of 2017 assuming that all of the above goes smoothly - remember the Dark Red line had 2 yrs of negotiations between the bid being awarded and work finally starting. 

 

3) MRTA Orange line - bids awarded

Bids have been awarded, some neogitation until late Feb/early March with the companies. 

I'd expect preliminary works to commence in the 2nd quarter of 2017.

 

4) BTS Dark Green line (Southern Ext) - phase 1

1st Phase (Bearing to Samrong) is still planned to open by mid 2017 but the BMA is saying it will open by March 2017.....let's see.

 

Enjoy your NYs!

[planr]

9 hours ago, Lakegeneve said:

2) MRTA Pink and Yellow monorail lines - bids awarded

Contracts bids have been awarded but negotiations over the final price will continue for a few months. Then contracts will be signed

I would't expect to see work start until the last quarter of 2017 assuming that all of the above goes smoothly - remember the Dark Red line had 2 yrs of negotiations between the bid being awarded and work finally starting. 

 

 

Pretty sure the Red Line negotiations dragged on because of Japanese involvement in the funding, no? Doubt K. Keeree wants to wait two years and since BTS is sitting on a pile of cash I would expect things to move swiftly. 

[robblok]

1) Blue Line Bang Sue-Tao Poon 'Missing link' -

Only in Thailand right......even under a junta using sec 44 this still can't be easily resolved. 

Don't expect this to open before mid 2017, more likely Sept 2017.

 

This is costing the purple line a lot, because people are not using it. I would have used it occasionally if it was connected to the MRT. Now it really defeats the purpose of using it if you still get stuck in traffic. Their passenger numbers are much lower as they predicted (how stupid can you be) and they are moaning about it. 

[fruitman]

3 hours ago, robblok said:

1) Blue Line Bang Sue-Tao Poon 'Missing link' -

Only in Thailand right......even under a junta using sec 44 this still can't be easily resolved. 

Don't expect this to open before mid 2017, more likely Sept 2017.

 

This is costing the purple line a lot, because people are not using it. I would have used it occasionally if it was connected to the MRT. Now it really defeats the purpose of using it if you still get stuck in traffic. Their passenger numbers are much lower as they predicted (how stupid can you be) and they are moaning about it. 

We used it once. Had to buy tickets from a machine for the purple line, go in a bus at tao poon and wait 5 minutes before it left, walk 5 minutes at bang sue, buy a ticket, wait 5 minutes for the mrt, go off mrt and buy ticket for skytrain, wait again......

 

A taxi costs the same and is much more convenient if you travel by 2 persons or more. Add to that you also have to go to the purple line station first, a taxi would come to pick you up.

 

Walking to the station over very bad sidewalks also is no fun and dangerous. And in full sun it's very hot as well. Bring good shoes when travelling by skytrain cause you'll have to walk A LOT.

[Lakegeneve]

On 12/26/2016 at 10:42 PM, planr said:

 

Pretty sure the Red Line negotiations dragged on because of Japanese involvement in the funding, no? Doubt K. Keeree wants to wait two years and since BTS is sitting on a pile of cash I would expect things to move swiftly. 

From memory, JICA didn't change the funding amount nor funding arrangements. The main issue was that the cost of materials had reduced in the intervening period, especially steel prices after the iron ore drop so the SRT at the behest of JICA negotiated for a reduced price with the contractors. Of course, thereafter the SRT changed the line configuration and had to request the govt for extra funds to accommodate this.

 

There were some related technical issues too and also site access delays during the negotiation period - the same occurred with both the ARL and Light Red line construction. BOth were delayed due to the SRT not clearing our the right of way for construction....ie. kicking out either business or residential squatters.

 

Agree with you that they will not want to delay the start of the two monorail lines especially given company related condo developments. However, there appears to be a number of technical & final design issues that need to be resolved and that will impact on the final cost. Let's see if we can be surprised........

[planr]

On 12/29/2016 at 0:39 PM, Lakegeneve said:

Agree with you that they will not want to delay the start of the two monorail lines especially given company related condo developments. However, there appears to be a number of technical & final design issues that need to be resolved and that will impact on the final cost. Let's see if we can be surprised........

 

Do you find it surprising that BTS/BSR will acquiesce to building monorail? I would think heavy rail should open up more opportunities for real estate development in the long run. That said, at least the Yellow Line will be single gauge / system unlike previous proposals calling for a mix of heavy rail and light rail / monorail -- what a disaster that would have been.

[Lakegeneve]

On 12/31/2016 at 2:25 PM, planr said:

 

Do you find it surprising that BTS/BSR will acquiesce to building monorail? I would think heavy rail should open up more opportunities for real estate development in the long run. That said, at least the Yellow Line will be single gauge / system unlike previous proposals calling for a mix of heavy rail and light rail / monorail -- what a disaster that would have been.

I'd love it if both lines would revert to being heavy rail but that would mean another significant delay of at least 12-18 months.

 

Given the short sighted nature of planning and especially real estate profit motives, I'd imagine that they want lines to open ASAP and at the cheapest cost regardless of the medium to long terms needs/consequences.