Bangkok’s Airport Rail Link Officially Opened by Transport Minister

Published : August 23, 2010 :: 15:08:01 [ 1,517 views ]

Thai Transport Minister Sophon Zarum on Monday morning presided over the official opening of Bangkok’s much-anticipated Airport Rail Link project, providing a direct link from several regions of the capital to the Suvarnabhumi International Airport.

Bangkok, the 22^nd of August 2010: After several setbacks and numerous delays, the Suvarnabhumi Airport Rail Link officially opened to the public on Monday, offering commuters shortened travel times between Thailand’s major international airport and the heart of Bangkok.

The 28km network connects Suvarnabhumi Airport in Samut Prakan, east of Bangkok, with the City Air Terminal (CAT) in Bangkok’s Makkasan area through a non-stop 15-minute journey titled the Express Service.

Although not currently working, there will also be a baggage check-in service available at the Makkasan terminal to speed air traveller’s service through the airport process. At present, this service is scheduled for opening by the end of the year.

The City Line, operating on the same network as the Express Service, will take approximately 30-minutes to reach the airport from its furthest stations in Phaya Thai, passing through Ratchaprarop, Makkasan, Asoke, Ramkhamhaeng, Hua Mak, Ban Thap Chang, and Lat Krabang before reaching the airport terminal.

The Airport link can reportedly reach speeds of up to 160kph and cater for up to 50,000 passengers daily. A special promotional price has been applied to all fares until the end of the year, with the Express Service costing Bt100 (normally Bt150) and the City Line services costing a mere Bt15 (usually Bt15-45).