Bangkok Thailand: Transportation

MTR/Subway MAP

• Underground Train (MRT) Bangkok, Thailand
• The recently opened underground train system (officially called MRT - Mass Rapid transit) reaches from the Northern train station of Bangsue to Hua Lumphong main railway station in a loop, connecting with the Skytrain on 3 different stations, namely : Silom, Sukhumvit and Chatuchak Park (see below map).
• There have a similar ticket system as the Skytrain (BTS) but both systems are for the time being not compatible. All stations of the underground train can be reached via ramps and elevators, if needed, or alternatively via escalators.
• See combined Route map

The MRT Bangkok Metro Underground

• The 'impossible' became a reality in April 2004. It had taken seven years to build, comprising 21 kilometers of bored tunnels, with 18 simultaneously-built stations, using top-down techniques up to 30 meters deep under the city's major roads. The cost was approximately US$ 2.75 billion.
• Officially called the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) and in Thai as rot fai fah mahanakhon ("metropolitan electric train") or more often as the rot fai tai din ("underground train") the line operates from 5am to midnight, and extends in a wide loop from the main railway station of Hualumpong, then tracks back via the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre to the smaller rail station of Bang Sue (pronounce Seu) to the north.
• It has interchanges with the Skytrain at Si Lom, Sukhumvit and Chatuchak Park stations (please see above map). To protect against periodic flooding, station entrances are elevated above ground, and equipped with built-in floodgates. To prevent accidents and suicides, a glassed-in Automatic Platform Screen Door separates the platform and track, and opens only when the trains pull in and stop. All stations feature lifts and ramps for disabled people.


• As with the Skytrain, there are a number of ticket types, which only need to be held close to the ticket barriers to operate them, thanks to a proximity sensor. Tokens are used for single journeys. An unlimited 1 day go-as-you please travel ticket currently costs Baht 120. A joint ticketing system for the Subway and Skytrain is planned.

Operating Hours:

• 06.00 am - midnight daily.
• Frequency - Less than 5 minutes during the peak hours 06.00 - 09.00 am. and 04.30 - 07.30 pm.
• Less than 10 minutes during the off-peak hours.
• Maximum 18 serviced rolling stocks and 1 reserved.
• MRTA prepares the parking lots for MRT passengers
• MRTA has prepared the parking areas and other facilities for the MRT passengers including two Park & Ride Buildings and seven subway stations. The parking lots, retail shops, and other facilities are available for the passengers who want to park their cars and take the subway for their destinations.

Two Types of Tickets:

1.) Contactless Smart Card

• Single Journey Token
• For Adult - Issued from both Ticket Vending Machine and Ticket Office
• For Child / Elder - Only issued at Ticket Office

2.) Stored Value Card :
Value addable: Adult, Concession (Child/Elder), Student, Business Traveller
Non-Value addable : One Day Pass, 3-Day Pass, 30-Day Pass, Premiere Pass

BTS Map