For many travellers, a possible arrival in Bangkok by train ended with the grandiose hall of the station of Hua Lamphong. Built between Chinatown and the Silom district, the station was inaugurated in 1915, inspired by Turin's Central Station with its neo-classical architecture. However, the station close its doors to mainline traffic in November according to the Thai government's plans. At the end of this year, Bang Sue Grand Station will effectively take over from Hua Lamphong. Built in the north of the city in the Chatuchak district - close to the famous flea market - the new structure is the most major railway station in South-East Asia. It is also the largest construction site in the city.
600 metres long, Bang Sue Grand Station will comprise 26 platforms with a surface area of 274,000 m². By way of comparison, the Gare du NordThe largest railway structure in Paris, it has a surface area of 35,000 m², which will increase to 110,000 m² by 2024/2025.
The future station will have four levels, integrating all of the Thai capital's rail transport services. It is emerging as the country's new rail hub.
Connecting regional trains, metros and high-speed trains
The basement will house the MRT metro station, while the ground floor will house the "salle des pas perdus" with ticket offices and passenger lounges. The second level will house 12 platforms reserved for long-distance trains. Regional trains on the new SRT Rouge and Bordeaux lines will also have four dedicated platforms. Both lines will be inaugurated at the same time as the station next November.
The third level is reserved for future high-speed lines. Of the ten platforms, four will be allocated to two rail lines linking Bang Sue to the airports. The first is an extension of the Airport Express line from Suvarnabhumi. The second will link the airports Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi and U-Tapao/Pattaya.
The other platforms will be used for high-speed trains to Hua Hin and to the north and north-east of the kingdom. Visit First high-speed line planned between Bangkok and Nakhon Ratchasimathe country's second-largest city, is due to open in 2025. This line will connect in 2026, the TGV network linking Laos and China.
The new infrastructure is part of a plan to develop the rail network in Bangkok and the surrounding region. A plan that the government has decided to accelerate. Dby 2028 Bangkok will be at the heart of a network of 550 km of lines and regional trains.
Bangkok is already connected to 170 km of suburban and regional rail lines. In addition to the red and burgundy train lines, a new aerial metro line will begin service in 2022, adding almost 150km of additional track.
