BANGKOK — The BTS Skytrain system has committed to building a new station midway between Chong Nonsi and Surasak to accommodate growth in the Sathon financial district.
Though BTS Suksa Witthaya was added long ago to maps of the Silom Line and factored into fares, the station’s construction was put on hold as it was deemed not worth the cost – despite the fact its cost had been factored into fares for several years.
Construction will cost 450 million baht and should begin in 2017 for a 2018 opening date, according to Surapong Laoha-Unya, executive director of BTS Group Holdings.
“We currently see the emerging potential of that area,” said Surapong according to Prachachat report. “There were some developments and investments resulting in growing numbers of buildings and residences. More people moved into the neighborhood. Most importantly it would relieve increasing numbers of passengers using Chong Nonsi station.”
Suksa Witthaya and Sena Ruam were already appeared on the BTS Skytrain map. Photo : BTS
BTS Chong Nonsi is on Naradhiwas Road between Silom and Sathorn roads, and is adjacent to the nearly complete Mahanakorn building, which will be Thailand’s tallest building when it is finished.
The new station located past where the Silom Line bends southwest onto Sathorn Road, between the UOB bank-robot and the Double A Book Tower at Soi Sathorn 12. The station will be 610 meters from BTS Chong Nonsi and 570 meters from BTS Surasak. It is expected to serve about 9,500 to 12,000 trips per day and bring net revenue of 70 million baht annually.
The system operator said it hopes to have a contractor for the project by February for a build expected to take one year to 18 months.
Construction of another supplementary station at Sena Ruam between BTS Ari and BTS Saphan Khwai station on the Sukhumvit Line will also begin soon, Surapong said.
For years passengers have been paying to build the two future stations, as both were already counted as stations when the fares were last calculated.
