The Bangkok subway – a subterranean tour of Bangkok

The Bangkok subway
a subterranean tour of Bangkok

The Bangkok subway consists of a single underground line from Hua Lam Pong (HUA) near Chinatown in the city center and ends at Bang Sue (BAN) to the north of the city.

The line goes under some of the busiest roads in Bangkok, Rama IV, Ratchadapisek, Asoke, Lat Phrao, Phahon Yothin Roads, with a total of 18 stations over a distance of 22 km.

The Bangkok Metro Private Company Limited manages the Bangkok subway or the MRT, which started services in June 2003. The subway operates daily from 0600 hours – midnight.

Here's a guide to the Bangkok subway services including Bangkok hotels near the subway, shopping malls, tourist attractions and Bangkok legacies along the line.

Subway tickets

Commuters can buy single trip tickets or one-day passes for unlimited trips for the day at 120 baht and three-day passes at 300 baht.

Frequent visitors can buy stored value cards at 200 baht with a minimum renewal of 100 baht and validity of 5 years.

Please note that subway tickets can't be used for the skytrain.

Tourist information

Free Bangkok subway maps and other tourist information are available at the ticket counters at the various subway stations.

Unlike the skytrain stations with their alpha-numeric codes, subway stations are identified by a 3 letter code e.g. Hua Lam Pong (HUA)

New Bangkok subway lines

On 4 August 2006, the Thai government announced plans for the building of three new subway lines starting next year. The new lines totaling 82 km are scheduled to be finished in 2011.

The new lines are:

Extension of the present 22 km subway between Hua Lam Pong and Bang Sue by a further 27 km. From Hua Lam Pong to Bang Khae on the Thonburi bank (14 km) and from Bang Sue to Tha Phra (13 km) also on the Thonburi bank. This Blue Line will convert the present linear subway line to a loop covering both banks of the Chao Phraya River

The new 23 km Purple Line from Bang Sue northwards across the Phra Nang Klao Bridge to Bang Yai in the province of Nonthaburi

The 32 km Red Line from Phaya Thai northwards to Rangsit north of the Don Muang International Airport. This line will connect to the Airport Link at Makkasan and from thereon to the new Suvarnabhumi International Airport.

These developments when completed will effectively provide mass rapid transport services from the congested city center right out to the suburbs of Bangkok, where many residential areas are located.

Residents are currently commuting by buses or cars to and from work. Hopefully the new services will reduce traffic congestion and make it easier for residents in the suburbs to commute to and from work.

It'll also be more convenient for visitors traveling from the new international airport to the city center as well as to visit attractions outside Bangkok.

Bangkok subway stations

Hua Lam Pong (HUA) Terminal station

Railway Station: Hua Lam Pong Railway Station

Hotels: Bangkok Centre Hotel

Bangkok legacies: Samphanthawong Museum (history of Chinese immigrants) Wat Traimit (Temple of the Golden Buddha) Yaowarat Chinatown

Sam Yan (SAM)

Attractions: Snake Farm, Wat Hua Lam Pong

Silom (SIL) Interchange between the Bangkok subway and skytrain at Sala Daeng skytrain station

Silom Station (SIL) outside Lumphini Park

Hotels: Dusit Thani Hotel Pan Pacific Hotel

Bangkok legacy: King Rama VI Monument at Lumphini Park

Down below

Lumphini (LUM)

Hotels: Banyan Tree Pinnacle Lumpinee Sukhothai Hotel

Attractions: Lumphini Boxing Stadium (Muay Thai), Suan Lum Night Bazaar

Khlong Toey (KHO)

Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre (SIR)

Attractions: Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre

Sukhumvit (SUK) Interchange between the Bangkok subway and Bangkok skytrain at Asoke skytrain station

Hotels: City Lodge Sukhumvit 19 Westin Grande Sukhumvit

Shopping mall: Robinsons Asoke

Attractions: Siam Society

Phetchaburi (PET)

Hotels: Amari Atrium Classic Place

Phra Ram 9 (RAM)

Hotels: Grand Mercure Park Avenue Maxx Hotel Radisson Hotel

Shopping malls: Tesco Lotus

Thailand Cultural Centre (CUL)

Attractions: Thailand Cultural Centre

Shopping malls: Carrefour, Jusco, Robinsons

Huai Kwang (HUI)

Hotels: Emerald Hotel Siam Beverly Swissotel le Concorde

Sutthisan (SUT)

Hotels: Grand Hotel

Ratchadapisek (RAT)

Hotels: Chao Phraya Park Travellers Hotel

Lat Phrao (LAT)

Phahon Yothin (PHA)

Hotels: Sofitel Central Plaza

Shopping malls: Central Lat Phrao, Tesco Lotus

Chatuchak Park (CHA) Interchange between the subway and skytrain at Mor Chit skytrain station

Attractions: Chatuchak Park, Chatuchak weekend market

Kamphaeng Phet (KAM)

Bang Sue (BAN) Terminal station

Railway Station: Bang Sue Railway Station

Bangkok legacy: Pracha Rat Sai 1 Soi 24 (Carpenters' Street). This interesting street is 10 – 15 min by taxi from the station. Get a member of the hotel staff to write out the name of the soi and the station in Thai.

Bookmark this page if you find it useful.

ADD TO YOUR SOCIAL BOOKMARKS: