Lakegeneve

This map should make it very clear https://www.livingpop.com/files/metro-map/20220129/LVP-Map2022-C-20220129-English.pdf

You had this mixed up right? Think about it,,,, The answer is yes, though you will have obviously done the trip well before now. Avoid the queues (& surcharge) at the official taxi stand at arrival level by proceeding up to the dep level and grab a taxi that has just dropped off someone. Saves the driver a very long wait (sometimes 1-2 hrs) and you a queue....

There was some bad news around a week before Xmas but I didn't feel in the mood to post it prior to the NY. The BSR announced further delays to both lines opening. This not completely unexpected as there was some indication in early Nov of this might happen with a slide until Feb or March and anyone seeing stations along the line knew there was stillmuch to be done. The BSR also blamed Covid rather than be honest about some of their obvious issues. However, the new dates are yet another significant delay; The MRT Yellow line is now slated to open in June 2023 - the full line. The MRT Pink line is stated to open in August 2023 - 1st phase. These are the 5th opening dates that the BSR has announced. The only hope is that they have learnt their lesson of over promising and undelivering by stating longer dates to allow for a buffer and that there may be some small hope that both lines could open a month or 2 earlier? We'll have to wait and see.

Construction progress as at 31 December: 1) MRT Orange Line: 98.65% 2) MRT Pink Line: 94.48% 2a) Pink Line Spur to MTT: 13.45% 3) MRT Yellow Line: 98.09% 4) MRT Purple Line (southern ext): 5.45%

The pedestrian link cost US$3m to build and opened in mid 2013,some 3 years after the ARL opened! It has been a very, long time since anyone had to cross at street level to the MRT. These links used to be an after thought,eg. BTS to MRT at Asoke opened 1 yr after and BTS to MRT at Silom 2 yrs later. Thankfully, these days they are being built when new lines are bult.

Ratchaprarop has a single bus southbound lane 24/7. However, taxis are also allowedto use it though it is no uncommon for private vehicles to sneak allow as well - they are allowed late at night. And there is no right turn, you simply exit the ARL station at the east exit which is on the east side of Ratchprarop rd and walk 30m south across the SRT eastern line and Makkasan rd. Grab a taxi there outside Verve condo or a little further along at the corner of soi 8 (one way, west) as taxis tend to exit from there. The reason why you don't want to do this at peak is that buses back up at Pratunam intersection (Petchaburi rd) along the single lane and you could literally spend 20-25 mins travelling the 1km south to Ratchaprasong intersection- the literal center of Thailand.

A couple issues depend on how you can traverse this. The most important is your fitness for carrying your 2 heavy backpacks. It is about a 300m total transfer distance between the ARL & MRT via the pedestrian link and normally easy with a trolley bag. The other main factor is the time of day when you will be travelling, ie peak hour or not? I'd avoid doing it at peak hour as the MRT is very full - if morning peak up until 9.30am then forget about it as pax are crammed and it is normal to wait 1-2 trains to board. It will be very tough with 2 large backpacks. Another option is to alight at ARL Ratchprarop station and just take a taxi straight south down Ratchaprarop rd to Lumpini/Rama4 intersection if it is a quieter time of the day. (Private vehicles are not allowed to use the soutbound bus lane but taxis usuaully can and do) Again, don't do this at peak times.

These buses will still be around for a number of years even though the BMTA is attempting to replace much of the fleet. The BMTA has asked the govt to provide funds to update the fleet for around 12 years now Including a request for 5000 new aircon and non aircon buses after the junta came to power. At any given time around 800 buses are out of action due to age & maintenence issues) All that has been funded was the 490 NGV Bestlin buses a few years ago, but there is obviously a push to electrify the fleet. As fares are charged according to the quality of the bus, the non-aircon buses are the cheapest (8 baht) for the poor, min half the fare of a new NGV Bestlin bus (15-20-25 baht). It is one of the crazy and confusing aspects of BKK buses for tourists. You can have 4 different types of buses with the same route number (BMTA non-Aircon, BMTA aircon, private operator non-aircon, private operator aircon) all with completely different fare structures.

Poor reporting by Thai PBS who normally do a good job. This is incorrect as Eastern lines services will still continue to operate from HL as will suburban services for at least the next 5 years. A few ordinary (the really slow ones) inter-city services will also continue to operate from HL too,

A couple of things. BTSC will still have the concession for the BTS lines until 2029 even if the BMA transfers ownership o f both BTS lines to the MRTA. Don't forget that much of the unpaid debt issue relates to the fact that the MRTA did both the Keha (Suk line south ext) and Khu Khot exts (Suk line north ext) and then transferred the debt to the BMA which subseqently contracted the BTSC to run the exts while also having very lengthy free fare periods for both exts. For AERA1 (Aka 3 Airport line) the CP consortium consists of BEM amongst others. I didn't think that the BTSC were involved? A common ticketing platform for the whole network remains as eleusive as the end of corruption in Thailand....The MRTA could have made it compulsory with all recent tenders (Orange, Pink & Yellow. & Purple ext to come), but did not.

BMA isn't planning to tender the line for another 2 years. However, similar to the update I did above on 10 Sept for the BMA Grey line, the BMA Gov wants the MRTA to take on this project. If they do, this will lead to more delays with the current process as the MRTA has other priorities first with the MRT Purple line ext and MRT Brown line. Most likely the Grey line would also be a priority before this line too. We'll have to wait and see if the MRTA decides to take on both projects.

No real difference to the reply that I wrote on 6 July to your previous similar query. "Thus, the Hualamphong to WWY to Mahachai section won't be done for many years. I had hoped that the full southern ext would be done by 2030, but realistically the section you are asking about probably won't be done until the mid 30s now." The next stages of the SRT Red lines exts are currently planned to be tendered in Feb 2023; 1) SRT Dark Red line north ext Rangsit to Thammasat Uni : aim to sign contract in May 2) SRT Dark red line south ext Bang Sue to Hualumphong: contract in Sept 3) SRT Light Red line west ext Taling Chan to Salaya: aim to sign contract in June 5) SRT Light Red line east ext Bang Sue to Hua Mark: contract in Sept Note: expect these dates to change. Also, note that the trench past the palace that needs to be built for (2) & (5) also has to include the ARL ext which will start work soon.

I can understand you wanting to take one of the diesel commuter services from HL to Laksi. Not that I'd do it myself for this trip. However, I think the lesson here as with most trips in BKK is to always have a Plan B. At a certain point (after15mins waiting?) I would have ditched the SRT commuter train and just used the MRT Blue Line and SRT Dark Red line to Laksi. The 40 mins that you spent waiting on the train is nearly the total trip time from HL to Laksi. Alternatively, MRT to Chatuchack station and then a bus straight north up Vihavadi-Rangsit rd would actually be quicker. Posting the network map for those who might be unsure of the SRT Dark Red line route and how to connect.

Construction progress as at 31 October: 1) MRT Orange Line: 98.31% 2) MRT Pink Line: 93.29% 2a) Pink Line Spur to MTT: 8.08% 3) MRT Yellow Line: 97.36% 4) MRT Purple Line (southern ext): 3.75% MRT Orange Line western extension tender - 13.4k, 11 stations BEM/Karnchang has won the tender for the western extension. Barring further litigation from the BTSC, the contract should be signed early next year with work starting by mid year.

Orignal partial opening date was Oct last year which became June this year and then September and now is Jan 2023. The BSR (owner & operator) has been doing some full line test runs for the MRTA Yellow line in the last 3 weeks. The headline is misleading as there are only some special ticketed runs planned for December at this stage. The actual opening for is not planned until January with a free period, probably later in the month and only from Phawana (Y2) to Samrong ie. not Latphrao station. (The previous opening plan for last year and mid this year was for the more advanced southern section of a line from Samrong to Hua Mark) For the MRTA Pink Line, it is planned to open the first section in Feb or more likely March. The 1st stage opening will run from Minburi to the Govt Complex. (except for two stations). Mid year the 2nd stage willopen from Govt complex to Tiwanon rd. The last stage to Nonthaburi Provicial office will open in around 1 year as the station site had to moved 350m east due to supposedly blocking the views of the provincial office staff. In other news the MRTA Orange line construction will be completed by the end of this year/very early 2023. Unfortunately, the MRTA stuffed up the tender to operate that line and order rolling stock - it is still not done - so you'll need to wait until June 2025 to use it!! MRTA Purple line southern ext started construction 3 months ago as is around 3.5% advanced

Network map half way down this page.....

166 departs from the NW quadrant from the east side 'platform'. It heads straight onto the expressway entrance just north of VM. The bus exits at Chaeng Wattana rd, runs west to Pak Kret, does a U-turn and then returns east along Chaneng Wattana before turning left into CW-Pak Kret soi 33 to enter into MTT. I've used it loads of times over the years to go to Koh Kret. Inbound and outbound are mostly exactly the same route. It can be confusing on CW rd if you don't read thai as both VM & MTT bound services run along here. Only the dark blue aircon buses run to MTT. Download the VIa Bus app if you haven't done so as it shows routes for every BMTA bus. I had no idea of the route to Govt Complex, but I have seen the 166 bus outside. According to the VIA Bus app it exits the expressway straight east onto CW rd and then turns into the Govt Complex rd. Obviously, just ask the conductor at VM if unsure if it is a MMT or a Govt Complex bus.

MRT Yellow line will have some full trial runs in Dec for specially registered pax. The line will open to the public in January 2023 (exact date not specified) and it will run from Y2 Phawana to Samrong ie. not Latphrao initially. Crossy may know the exact opening date in January? For the MRT Pinkline the first stage from Minburi to Govt Complex is still due to open in Feb or March (probably March) except for 2 stations. The line will then be extended to Tiwanon rd in July.

There was a small female only (driver & pax) taxi company that started about 5 years ago. However, they didn't survive Covid. Not sure if they have or will been revived? All Taxi Thai - book bby app - with the distinct yellow taxis was a safer company to use prior to Covid, but haven't seen many of their taxis around. There are a few Lady Taxi driver services on FB and the web but mainly for out of BKK trips. Can contact them to ask if you needed a regular service. You can request a "Lady" driver with Grab, https://www.grabdriverth.com/service/gc-lady

The ASC courts above Foodland in Suk soi 16 are indeed the place to play. I have a few friends that play there weekly. I've only casually played a couple of times as I play volleyball there. I would suggest getting to know the fit women who run ASC and challenging them to a game one evening, they play regularly when they are bored. Let them know you are looking to play with others & go from there, eventually you'll be invited to join others.

Common ticketing was first seriously proposed in 2006 when it was said that a joint BTS & MRT ticket would be available within 12-18 months! Don't hold your breath. However, the implementation of a law to compel the companies to adopt a common ticket has always been needed. I've made the point for many years that this should have been a fundamantal requirement for any tender for operating a new line. BEM & the BTSC have always resisted this especially the previous Mangmoom (Spider) card. Transport Authorities Set To Push For One Ticket For All Public Transport In Bangkok, The Nation, 10 Sept 2022 In A Bid To Make Public Transport More Convenient For Commuters, The Office Of Transport And Traffic Policy And Planning (OTP) Is Set To Propose The Creation Of Joint Tickets. This would bring all public transport agencies together and for that to happen a law will have to be enforced. Punya Chupanit, OTP’s director, told Thansettakij on Saturday that a draft of the act will be presented to a related subcommittee this month. The subcommittee is led by Pisak Jitviriyavasin, the Transport Ministry’s deputy permanent secretary. Once approved, the draft will be presented to Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob before it is forwarded to the Cabinet, Council of State and then Parliament. The joint ticket act will set up rules on administration, definition, rates, which agencies will be responsible and how it is funded. OTP said the joint ticket should not be affected by the EMV Contactless card, which is used on some electric trains and boats. He said the card is one of the standards for the joint ticket and was mentioned in the contract negotiation. Meanwhile, Surapong Laoha-unya, executive director of the Bangkok Transit System Corporation Ltd (BTSC), said the company was talking to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and Krungthai Bank about creating a joint ticket for both the BTS and MRT. He said it was not necessary to wait until the BTS Green Line extension row has been resolved because the company had been pushing for a joint ticket with the Rabbit Card for a long time now. BTSC is also discussing the possibility of implementing the joint card system with BTS Pink and Yellow Lines when they open.

BMA Grey Line update No change to the timeframe for the Grey Line. The main news is that the new BMA Gov has stated that he is inclined to transfer the Grey Line project back to the MRTA for better integration with the MRT network and due to the ongoing debt to BTSC which is his main priority. If this does happen, then it will delay the project further and the MRTA priorities are the Orange Line western ext and the MRT Brown line. However, one of the advantages of the MRTA doing both the Brown and Grey lines is that an integrated depot could be built for both lines. The BMA has secured a depot site whereas the MRTA has not, Such an outcome could also allow the possibility of operational flexibility with Grey line trains partially running on the Brown line and vice versa. eg, during peak hour you could have every 3rd train run from Thonglor to the Brown line terminus at NCC & return. Not ideal for slow monorail track turnouts, but still possible.

Construction progress as at 31 August: 1) MRT Orange Line: 96.38% 2) MRT Pink Line: 92.27% 3) MRT Yellow Line: 96.05% 4) MRT Purple Line (southern ext): preliminary site prep works underway New MRT Orange Line opening date - August 2025! Although Orange Line construction will essentially be completed by the end of the year, the previous opening date of March 2024 has now been pushed back to August 2025! This is due to the debacle of the cancelled and much delayed Orange Line western extension PPP tender. Whoever, wins that tender also wins the right to operate the Orange line eastern section AND has to order rolling stock which normally take 2 yrs to deliver from order. The tender will be awarded in Dec if there are no further delays. There are two bidders (BEM/Karnchang & ITD/IncheonMass Transit) as the BTSC boycotted the process. The successful bidder will need to order rolling stock promptly early in 2023 as not only does it take 2 yrs to deliver, but the line will require 3-5 months of full testing once sets are delivered. That Aug 2025 could thus slip to later in 2025...... Had the MRTA done the operations & rolling stock tenders for the Eastern section in early 2021, then we could've been looking at a mid 2023 opening date! When construction commenced in June 2017, with a 1080 day construction period, the original opening date was Oct 2022.

It was announced yesterday that construction would start in October. Reportedly, all land has been handed over, but I highly doubt that claim. https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017608

Construction progress as at 30 June: 1) MRT Orange Line: 95.31% 2) MRT Pink Line: 91.01% 3) MRT Yellow Line: 94.18% 4) MRT Purple Line (southern ext): preliminary site prep works underway A reminder that the 1st stage of the MRT Yellow line will now not open until Jan 2023. First stage of the MRT Pink line will not open until Feb 2023 A video of the Pink line depot and tour of Minburi station - lots of Pink used Interior video of a test run