NOW OPEN! Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal - Bangkok - Thailand, 19 Jan. 2023
Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal It is the largest railway station in Southeast Asia
The main railway terminal in Bangkok is Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal (KTW). In Thai this is called สถานีกลางกรุงเทพอภิวัฒน์ (sa-tanee glang groong tep a-pi-wat). The station was formerly known as Bang Sue Grand Station (สถานีกลางบางซื่อ) before it was given its present name by His Majesty the King. At the moment, only Red Line commuter trains use the building.
Long distance trains on the Northern, Northeastern and Southern lines will move here from Bangkok Railway Station (Hua Lamphong) to the new Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal. on 19th January 2023.
Currently, passenger trains in the Northern and North Eastern lines all use elevated railway to operate. If it is an ordinary train, a suburban train, and an excursion train that has an origin and destination at Bangkok Station (Hua Lamphong), will use the elevated railway too in the range from Bang Sue Junction Station (around Wat Samian Nari) to Don Mueang (Over Pass Bridge, Kamphaeng Phet 6 Road)
So, I took the opportunity to take a VDO to record the journey. From ordinary train No. 201, Bangkok - Phitsanulok (from Bangkok Hua Lamphong to Rangsit), which today (21/01/66) is the first day that this train use the elevated railway.
In EP 1/2, this will be the section from Bangkok - Bang Sue Locomotive Depot, while EP 2/2 will be the section of the elevated railway to Rangsit.
Currently, passenger trains in the Northern and North Eastern lines all use elevated railway to operate. If it is an ordinary train, a suburban train, and an excursion train that has an origin and destination at Bangkok Station (Hua Lamphong), will use the elevated railway too in the range from Bang Sue Junction Station (around Wat Samian Nari) to Don Mueang (Over Pass Bridge, Kamphaeng Phet 6 Road)
So, I took the opportunity to take a VDO to record the journey. From ordinary train No. 201, Bangkok - Phitsanulok (from Bangkok Hua Lamphong to Rangsit), which today (21/01/66) is the first day that this train use the elevated railway.
EP 2/2 will be the section of the elevated railway from Bangsue Locomotive Depot to Rangsit.
Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal in Bangkok (formerly Bang Sue Grand Station) began its first full day as Thailands national rail hub on Friday after 52 long-distance services were transferred from the century-old Hua Lamphong Station.
The new 34-billion-baht Bangkok terminus in Chatuchak district is now the hub for all long-distance trains running to the North, Northeast and South of the country. Only 14 long-distance services to the East are still using Hua Lamphong.
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT)s plan to switch Krung Thep Aphiwat Central was delayed during the Covid-19 pandemic after the new station became Bangkoks main vaccination centre. However, it is now hosting all 14 long-distance services to the North, 20 to the South, and 18 to the Northeast.
Krung Thep Aphiwat opened as Bang Sue Grand Station in November 2021 and began serving passengers on the SRTs two urban Red Lines. His Majesty King Rama X granted the new name in November last year.
SRT is still running 62 urban and tourism services from Hua Lamphong 16 to the North, 22 to the East, six to the Northeast, four to the South, and 14 tourism trains.
The agency insists it has no intention to shut Hua Lamphong, an architectural landmark that has 107 years of history as Thailands central terminal. Instead, the Transport Ministry has announced plans to open it as a museum as part of redevelopment of the Hua Lamphong area.
SRT and Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) are providing free shuttle buses between the two stations to help facilitate commuters during the transition period. Buses leave every 30 minutes starting at 4.30am with the last service at 11pm.
Transport Ministry looks to boost Krung Thep Aphiwat's appeal, writes
The State Railway of Thailand made a big change in its 126-year history yesterday when the SRT moved the operation of long-distance train services to the North, Northeast and South of the country from Hua Lamphong station to Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal in Bang Sue district.
The aim is to fully utilise the 34-billion-baht central grand station and reduce traffic congestion around a number of railway crossings near the old rail hub in Bangkok, according to Minister of Transport Saksayam Chidchob.
The ministry plans to renovate the 121-rai Hua Lamphong area for commercial purposes while the old terminal, which was constructed more than a century ago, will become a museum that is accessible via public transportation, he said.
Yet the move to relocate services to the new station is facing some criticism from passengers and opposition from the State Railway Workers Uni0n of Thailand.
Recently, the uni0n conducted a passenger survey and found that the majority of train users want all train services to continue operating out of Hua Lamphong station instead of Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal, despite shuttle buses being offered free of charge to connect the two stations.
The main concern is that public transportation will become more difficult and expensive for passengers, said Samart Ratchaphonsit, deputy leader of the Democratic Party and a railway service expert.
"The closure of Hua Lamphong will cause suburban commuters to suffer and pay higher fares," Mr Samart said, adding that constructing tunnels or overpasses could have solved traffic problems without the need to close Hua Lamphong station.
Sarawut Charoongkit, a construction worker, said he regularly used Hua Lamphong station before it was closed.
"It has been this way for a long time ... [relocating services] would cause confusion and make it more difficult for some to travel to distant or unfamiliar destinations," the 35-year-old told the Bangkok Post .Duang Phengtraphy, a 66-year-old retired railway worker and frequent traveller, shared similar concerns but noted passengers would suffer additional transit costs.
"When people take the train to Bangkok, they expect to arrive at Hua Lamphong," she said. "With the change, the [travel] distance will be even greater, costing more to travel from the train station to their final destination."
Sukalaya Malua, a monthly user, expressed similar grievances regarding the SRT's move of diverting train services to Bang Sue.
"Because my home is close to the [old] station, having all trains at Hua Lamphong is very convenient for me," the 53-year-old weaver said, adding the transition could be "very confusing and difficult" for her.
Along with passengers, local service providers and businesses are also impacted by the change.
Wittaya Ramana, a motorbike taxi driver near Hua Lamphong station, now expects the number of his customers to drop by half.
"I believe that some trains moving to Bang Sue will reduce the number of people who come here, lowering my income," he said.
For the 37-year-old, the matter had been talked about by other drivers and passengers for a long time.
He said he had been aware change was coming and that he had to prepare.
"We had been preparing for this change for a long time, even before Covid-19," he said, adding that he now may have to take on a second job to supplement his income.
Kan Phochanang, 63, another motorbike taxi driver, said he had been hearing about the change for several years and expected a significant drop in customer numbers and income.
For some, the SRT's commer- cialisation plans for the Hua Lamphong area could be beneficial, especially to those selling goods to tourists, said Patcharameth Naphasinchaiboo, a coffee shop owner near the station.
"I heard for a while that Hua Lamphong would be converted into a museum," she said.
The 43-year-old added that if the station was converted into a museum with street food and a walking street, it would become another major tourist attraction in the city.
When asked whether the SRT properly disseminated information about the change, the coffee shop owner said unequivocally: "No, the SRT did not adequately publicise the story."
She said the public is still confused about whether the authorities will simply relocate some trains or close the station entirely.
"The closure of Hua Lamphong will cause suburban commuters to suffer and pay higher fares."
SAMART RATCHAPHONSIT
DEPUTY DEMOCRAT LEADER AND A RAILWAY SERVICE EXPERT
Not all aboard People make their way to a train at Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal yesterday, the first day all long-haul trains were to depart from the new station instead of the old Hua Lamphong...
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Thailand officially opened its new Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal in Bangkok on January 19, 2023. Also known as Bang Sue Grand Station, the facility is described as Southeast Asias biggest railway station. Thai authorities hope the US$1-billion project will allow the country to become an international hub for the region. The capitals previous main terminal, Hua Lamphong station, will also remain in operation after public pressure persuaded authorities not to close the century-old station.
SPECIAL REPORT: CITY TRAIN CHANGES 'BAFFLING'
Source - Bangkok Post
Sunday, January 22, 2023 06:28
SUPOJ WANCHAROEN
COMMUTERS MISSING THEIR RIDE AS STA
>> Some commuters have missed their trains due to confusion and information inadequacy after the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) moved almost half of its long-haul train services from Hua Lamphong station to Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal, formerly known as Bang Sue Grand Station.
The SRT has switched long-haul train services involving 52 special, express and rapid services to the North and Northeast of the country from Hua Lamphong station to Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal in Bang Sue district since Jan 19.
The change has led to the cancellation of several railway operation services at Kan Kheha, Lak Si, Song Hong and Bang Khen stations as the rail route is specifically elevated for SRT's Red Line electric train which technically no longer suits regular trains.
The train service revamp has led to confusion among commuters as they are told to take the SRT's Red Line from stations where they bought their ticket to the station where their regular train is to depart as stipulated in the ticket details.
Commuters will be able to get off trains and take a ride on the SRT's Red Line to and from the Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal Station for free which will last for the rest of the year.
With a lack of information and cooperation between stations, most commuters end up missing their trains, leading to an increase in travel expenses and questions about the quality and reliability of services of SRT.
Saengchan Pinkaew, 57, who had planned to visit her mum in Phichit during Chinese New Year period on Friday, told reporters she did not know services through certain stations had been cancelled.
After asking railway staff at Bang Khen station, she bought a ticket there. The train she needed to take was to depart from Don Muang railway station heading Phichit at 10.30am.
She was told to take SRT's Red Line to Don Muang railway station to change to a regular train.
Upon reaching the station, she was told to sit around the ticket counter on the second floor and wait for an announcement of the incoming train.
However, there was no such announcement. She talked to staff and learned she missed the train, so she needed to wait for the next train at 2.30pm.
Ms Saengchan said she may have to consider alternative options for travel if the problem remains unsolved.
She assumed the announcement issue may have stemmed from a lack of communication between Bang Khen and Don Muang stations.
Chutima Pumpong, a 54-year-old commuter who also missed a train, said she bought a ticket at Lak Si station to visit her family in Nakhon Sawan.
Her train was scheduled to depart from Don Muang station at 10am.TIONS FAIL TO COORDINATE
After she took SRT's Red Line to the station, it appeared she had missed the train as there was no announcement. Staff claimed an announcement was made but she may not have heard it.
She then had to wait for the next train at 1.45pm.
"I understand the train operation has only recently changed, but it seems there is no cooperation between stations," she said.
Ms Chutima urged the SRT to continue waivers of the Red Line's fare for commuters who must take its trains to reach either Don Muang or the Grand stations beyond the one-year term.
Otherwise, people would need to pay an extra fare of about 10-40 baht, while ticket price from Bangkok to Nakhon Sawan cost only 24 baht, she said.
Somsak Prompiangkang, who took his relatives for a ride to Don Muang station, said some people are barely able to access information supplied by government agencies.
He consumes the media regularly but did not know about the train's switch from Hua Lamphong to Bang Sue Grand Station.
In addition, most elderly folk are accustomed to regular train services and are rarely abreast of technology.
"Actually, the government should launch a trial run, free of charge, to help people get used to the new service. If there are some technical issues, they won't cost commuters anything," he said.
"I understand the train operation has only recently changed, but it seems there is no cooperation between stations. COMMUTER, CHUTIMA PUMPONG
Important for Tourists! All Long Distance Trains from Bangkok moved to the Krung Thep Aphiwat. You can not take the train to Chiang Mai anymore at the Old Hua Lampong station. Regional trains still go from Hua Lampong. This started on the 19th of January 2023, there are 52 Long Distance trains per day.
The Bang Sue Grand Central Station has been renamed now to Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal Station (สถานีกลางกรุงเทพอภิวัฒน์(บางซื่อ)). You can reach the station by Blue MRT station Bang Sue BL11.
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