Bangkok : Skytrain route to Thonburi opens

[Mid]

Skytrain route to Thonburi opens
15/05/2009

The new skytrain link from downtown Bangkok across the Chao Phraya river to Thonburi began operating on Friday, giving commuters a welcome option to the slow trip over the often congested bridges.

The new 2.2 kilometre track, part of the Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTS), extends the service from Saphan Taksin station to Wong Wian Yai. It was funded by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration. Travel on the new section will be free for the first three months.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva presided over opening in the morning.

He said the government would continue to extend electric train services to cover all areas of Bangkok.

The development of public transport was a priority as it helps boost the economy, he said.

bangkokpost.com

[tjyflhol]

Excellent news, will give it a try next week. Expect to see quite a lot more of foreigners considering living in Thonburi now, lots of cheap condos and houses over there.

[English Noodles]

lots of cheap condos and houses over there.

Not so many now.

[EmperorTud]

How many billions of $ is it in debt now?

Must be close to $100 Billion surely?

[baldrick]

do you have to change trains at Saphan Taksin ?

will they have to update all the ticket machines ?

[Mr Brown]

there's only one terminal at Sapan Taksin; I don't get it

[plorf]

Nice, does anyone have an updated BTS route map ?

[MeMock]

Excellent news, will give it a try next week. Expect to see quite a lot more of foreigners considering living in Thonburi now, lots of cheap condos and houses over there.

Tell me of a 3 bedroom place with all the mod cons and facilities available now for less then 35,000 baht and I will buy you beer. Lots and lots of beer.

[EmperorTud]

Tell me of a 3 bedroom place with all the mod cons and facilities available now for less then 35,000 baht and I will buy you beer. Lots and lots of beer.

I pay 20,000thb pcm for a 3 bed/4 bath on Raminthra. No BTS here but great if you have a car.

It's a brand new house, fully furnished with kitchen area, garden to rear and parking for 2 cars. Private moo baan with security, gym and pool.

For 35,000thb a month I'd expect to be way nearer the business district.

Mr Roomfinder | Find Bangkok Apartments - Thai Condos - House Rents

[dirtydog]

[English Noodles]

How many billions of $ is it in debt now? Must be close to $100 Billion surely?

65 Billion THB, but the new investers are to pay that off as soon as the share restructuring has gone through court, at the moment the BTS is servicing about 410,000 to 430,000 commuters per day and the 2 new stations on the other side of the river will push that up to 470,000 easily.

The BTS and MRT rock!

[madjbs]

Public transport systems are not primarily built as profit earning enterprises. Nearly all systems like the BTS are in large amounts of debt.

[madjbs]

Excellent news, will give it a try next week. Expect to see quite a lot more of foreigners considering living in Thonburi now, lots of cheap condos and houses over there.

Tell me of a 3 bedroom place with all the mod cons and facilities available now for less then 35,000 baht and I will buy you beer. Lots and lots of beer.

Dozens of new places available for that amount around Chaeng Wattana and Ngam Wong Wan. Minburi and Bang Na are even cheaper.

For about 45,000 you could get a place around Soi Ari.