13 April 2004
Thousands rush to ride Bangkok’s first subway
Thailand’s first underground train system began its trial run, delighting 10,000 passengers who flocked to ride the trains, mostly just for fun.
The government’s Mass Rapid Transit Authority and its concessionaire, Bangkok Metro, proudly unveiled the subway’s first lines, covering 20km from Hua Lamphong via Huai Khwang and Lat Phrao to Bang Sue. The trial’s half-hour trip stopped at 18 stations. The construction of the first Bangkok Metro line suffered multiple delays, not only because of the 1997 economic crisis, but also owing to the challenge of building deep structures in the water-logged soil upon which the city stands.
The subway boasted it could move more than 200,000 people a day, and eventually link to other lines for a total of 500,000 people a day. On July 3, the King chose an ‘auspicious time’ of 19.19pm to launch the line’s first official public trip.
13 April 2004
Thousands rush to ride Bangkok’s first subway
Thailand’s first underground train system began its trial run, delighting 10,000 passengers who flocked to ride the trains, mostly just for fun.
The government’s Mass Rapid Transit Authority and its concessionaire, Bangkok Metro, proudly unveiled the subway’s first lines, covering 20km from Hua Lamphong via Huai Khwang and Lat Phrao to Bang Sue. The trial’s half-hour trip stopped at 18 stations. The construction of the first Bangkok Metro line suffered multiple delays, not only because of the 1997 economic crisis, but also owing to the challenge of building deep structures in the water-logged soil upon which the city stands.
The subway boasted it could move more than 200,000 people a day, and eventually link to other lines for a total of 500,000 people a day. On July 3, the King chose an ‘auspicious time’ of 19.19pm to launch the line’s first official public trip.