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Purple Line (Bangkok)

Rapid transit line in Thailand From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Purple Line (Bangkok)
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The MRT Purple line (Thai: รถไฟฟ้ามหานคร สายสีม่วง) or MRT Chalong Ratchadham line (Thai: รถไฟฟ้ามหานคร สายฉลองรัชธรรม) is Bangkok's fifth rapid transit line, following the Sukhumvit Line, Silom Line, Blue Line, and Airport Rail Link. The line is 23 km (14 mi) long,[2] serving the north-western area of Bangkok running from Tao Poon to Khlong Bang Phai in Nonthaburi Province.

Quick Facts MRT Purple Line, Overview ...

The Northern section of the line opened on 6 August 2016, with travel between Khlong Bang Phai and Tao Poon.[3][2] It is the second line of MRT system and is operated by BEM under a concession contract. Daily ridership is 70,000.[4][5]

A 23.63 km (14.68 mi), 17 station Southern extension of the line between Tao Poon and Kru Nai consisting of a 14.3 km (8.89 mi) underground section and a 9.3 km (5.78 mi) elevated section [6] commenced construction in August 2022. As of April 2025, construction has progressed to 53.4% completion with an expected opening date of 2028.[7]

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Route alignment

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The MRT Purple Line platform at Khlong Bang Phai MRT station
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MRT Purple Line route map at Tao Poon Station prior to the opening of MRT Pink Line (14 August 2016)
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Ticket Vending machines at Khlong Bang Phai MRT station
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Entrance to Tao Poon station, MRT Purple Line
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Khlong Bang Phai MRT station

The Purple line starts from Khlong Bang Phai station in Bang Bua Thong District. The line travels south along Kanchanaphisek Road before turning eastward near Central WestGate, onto Rattanathibet Road. It continues along Rattanathibet Road, passing through a large residential area in Bang Yai District and crosses the Chao Phraya River on a bridge parallel to the Phra Nang Klao Bridge and runs towards Nonthaburi Civic Center station. The line then turns southward onto Tiwanon Road, passing the Ministry of Public Health and turns southeast onto Krung Thep-Nonthaburi Road, entering Yaek Tiwanon station. The line then enters Bangkok city limits at Bang Sue district and passes Bang Son station before terminating at the upper platforms of Tao Poon station, with a total length of 23 kilometres (14.29 mi), serving 16 stations.

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History

Officially named the Chalong Ratchadham Line (Thai: สายฉลองรัชธรรม) "To Celebrate the Great King's Reign with Righteousness"[8] but informally known as the "Purple Line", the rapid transit line provides a north–western corridor in Bangkok's Mass Rapid Transit Master Plan. The line also incorporated an extension of the Blue Line from nearby Bang Sue station to Tao Poon Station.

In the 1990s, the plan for the Purple Line was to run from Bang Phut to Bang Sue for 12 kilometres (7.5 mi), with an extension to Thewet for 6.7 kilometers (4.2 mi).[9]

This line was created from the adjustment of the 1994 mass transit rail system master plan, which connected the original extension of the Blue Line from Tao Poon to Bang Yai, while the original Purple Line would have run from the National Library to Tao Poon and the original Orange Line from Samsen (National Library) to Rat Burana, becoming a new line designated as the Purple Line, included in the master plan of the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP) for the first time in 2004. Five years later, the line's construction began.

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Northern section

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Construction was divided into six contracts, three of them for civil works. The contracts were signed from late 2009 to early 2010 and completion was originally scheduled for the end of 2014.[10][11][12][13] The third contract included construction of four park and ride buildings at the Khlong Bang Phai, Sam Yaek Bang Yai, Bang Rak Noi Tha It, and Yaek Nonthaburi 1 stations. On 31 March 2017, the fifth contract was effectively terminated and became part of a new Blue Line concession agreement.[14][15]

The 2011 Thailand floods delayed the construction of the line for nearly one year. In June 2013, five people were injured when six beams fell onto vehicles below Tao Poon station.[16] In July 2014, the civil work was 94 percent complete;[17][18] in October 2014, civil work was stated to be 99% complete.[19]

The line opened on 6 August 2016, when His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej graciously appointed Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn to represent him in presiding over the opening ceremony and officially pressing the button to open the electric train system.[3][20] However, the MRT Blue Line extension to Tao poon was delayed, so when it opened the Purple Line couldn't interchange with the Blue line as planned. This resulted in low line usage. Even with a reduced fare, the line only attracted about 22,000 passengers daily compared to a goal of 100,000. A shuttle bus service was in operation between Tao Poon MRT station and Bang Sue MRT station to connect with the Blue Line.[21] When the Blue line extension finally opened a year later, on 11 August 2017,[22][23] ridership significantly increased. In 2019, daily ridership was 70,000.[4][5]

Construction contracts

Contract Notes Contractor(s) Length
(km)
1 Phra Nang Klao Bridge to Tao Poon CKTC Joint Venture[10] 13
2 Khlong Bang Phai to Phra Nang Klao Bridge Sino-Thai Engineering & Construction[11] 10.75
3 Khlong Bang Phai Depot and Park & Ride buildings PAR Joint Venture[12]
4 Purple Line Rolling stocks and O&M Bangkok Expressway and Metro[24][25][26][27][28]
5 Bang Sue to Tao Poon section and O&M (MRT Blue Line)
6 Track and Electrical Italian-Thai Development[29][30]
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Southern section

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As the northern section of the Purple line was built first, the second phase of the Purple Line south from Tao Poon via Rattanakosin - Bangkok's old town to Rat Burana would fully complete the line. The length of the southern extension is 23.63 km (14.68 mi) (14.29 km (8.88 mi) underground, 9.34 km (5.80 mi) elevated with 17 stations - ten underground and seven elevated).[6] The initial cost of the southern extension is 82 billion baht and with a planned opening by the end of 2027.[31]

The Thai Cabinet was expected to approve the tender in mid 2017 with a tender then to be issued in the second half of 2017.[32] On 25 July 2017, Cabinet approval was given,[33][34] but the tender was then delayed until 2018.[35][36] By December 2018, a tender had still not been issued and was further delayed.[37] In August 2019, subject to final land acquisition, a March 2020 tender was planned.[38] In mid 2020, the Ministry of Transport still aimed for a tendering process within 2020 despite COVID-19 related delays.[39] The MRTA then expected to issue a tender in February 2021.[40] and if construction had begun in 2021, the extension was projected to enter service sometime in 2027.[41] However, the tender was delayed yet again and subsequently cancelled in August 2021 until it was finally issued in November 2021.[42]

Construction contracts were signed on 11 March 2022 with a construction period of 2005 days for a planned 2027 opening date.[43]

Construction progress

Contactors were issued with a Notice to Proceed on 25 April 2022 giving them access to sites along the route with actual construction planned to begin from August 2022.[44] Construction began in early August for two contract sections, 3 & 4.[45] Some 410 lots and 500 buildings will need to be appropriated to build the extension and as of May 2022 many of them were still to be surveyed.[31]

Construction progress was at 3.45% complete at the end of September 2022.[46] By the end of November 2022, construction progress was at 4.30%. [47] At the end of February 2023, construction had progressed to 7.73%.[48]

By the end of May 2023, construction had progressed to 11.50%.[49]

As of December 2024, construction has progressed to 46.3% completion.[50]

As of June 2025, construction has progressed to 57.6% completion with an expected opening date of 2028.[7]

Construction contracts

Contract Notes Contractor(s) Length
(km)
Progress
(June 2025)
Cost[51]
1 Tao Poon to National Library CKST Joint Venture 4.8 75.54% ฿19,430 million
2 National Library to Phan Fah 3.44 65.41% ฿15,878 million
3 Phan Fah to Memorial Bridge ITD-NWR Joint Venture 3.1 55.18% ฿15,109 million
4 Memorial Bridge to Dao Khanong Unique Construction and Engineering 4.1 59.09% ฿14,982 million
5 Dao Khanong to Kru Nai & Depot Italian-Thai Development 9 36.98% ฿19,904 million
6 Track and Electrical 42.24% ฿3,589 million
7 Rolling stock TBA TBA
Total Progress 57.36%[9] ฿82,083 million
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Stations

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Code Station Name Image Opened Platform Type Position Park
&
Ride
Transfer Notes
English Thai
Khlong Bang Phai - Tao Poon: 20.92 km (operational)
PP01 Khlong Bang Phai คลองบางไผ่ Thumb 6 August 2016; 9 years ago (2016-08-06) Island Elevated Exit to:
• Khlong Bang Phai Depot
• DHL Supply Chain & Distribution
PP02 Talad Bang Yai ตลาดบางใหญ่ Thumb Island - Exit to:
• Big C Extra Bangyai
• The Square Bang Yai
• Kasemrad International Hospital Ratthanathibet
• Home Pro Rattanathibet
• Big C Supercenter Rattanathibet 1
• Decathlon Bangyai
• Index Living Mall Bang Yai
Central Westgate
• IKEA Bangyai
• Bang Yai Market
PP03 Sam Yaek Bang Yai สามแยกบางใหญ่ Thumb Island
PP04 Bang Phlu บางพลู Thumb Island - Exit to Megahome Rattanathibet
PP05 Bang Rak Yai บางรักใหญ่ Thumb Island - Exit to Wat Bang Rak Yai
PP06 Bang Rak Noi Tha It บางรักน้อย-ท่าอิฐ Thumb Island Proposed connecting station to  BTS  (future)
PP07 Sai Ma ไทรม้า Thumb Island -
PP08 Phra Nang Klao Bridge สะพานพระนั่งเกล้า Thumb Island - Connecting station, without paid-area integration to Phra Nang Klao pier for
 Mine Smart Ferry 
 CHAOPHRAYA EXPRESS 
Exit to:
• Wat Noi Nok
• Wat Chaeng Sirisamphan
• Tonsak Market
• Rajamangala University of Technology Suvarnabhumi - Nonthaburi Campus - North Area
PP09 Yaek Nonthaburi 1 แยกนนทบุรี 1 Thumb Island Exit to:
Central NorthVille (was known as Central Rattanathibet)
• Owl Market
PP10 Bang Krasor บางกระสอ Thumb Island - Exit to:
• Big C Supercenter Rattanathibet 2
• Grand Richmond Stylish Convention Hotel

Formerly Si Phon Sawan

PP11 Nonthaburi Civic Center ศูนย์ราชการนนทบุรี Thumb Island - Connecting station, without paid-area integration, to
 MRT  , via a 350-metre elevated pedestrian walkway.
 MRT  (future)
Exit to:
• National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission
• Nonthaburi Civic Center
• Esplanade Cineplex Ngamwongwan – Khae Rai
• Siam Business Administration Nonthaburi Technological College
• Makut Rommayasaran Park
PP12 Ministry of Public Health กระทรวงสาธารณสุข Thumb Island - Exit to:
Ministry of Public Health
Srithanya Hospital
• Regional Revenue Office 4
PP13 Yaek Tiwanon แยกติวานนท์ Thumb Island -
PP14 Wong Sawang วงศ์สว่าง Thumb Island - Exit to Big C Market Place Wong Sawang
PP15 Bang Son บางซ่อน Thumb Island - Connecting station, without paid-area integration, to
 SRT 
SRT Southern Line
Exit to Bang Son Market
PP16 Tao Poon เตาปูน Thumb Island - Interchange station to  MRT  Exit to:
• Tao Poon Market
• Lotus's Prachachuen
Tao Poon - Kru Nai: 22.78 km (under construction)
PP17 Parliament House รัฐสภา - 2029; 4 years' time (2029)
(expected)
Island Underground - Exit to:
Thai Parliament
• Defence Industrial Department
• 4th Armoured Regiment, 1st Division King's Royal Guard
• Air Defence Division
• Wat Mai Thongsen
• Wat Kaew Fah Chulamanee
PP18 Sri Yan ศรีย่าน - Stacked - Exit to:
• Supreme Complex
• Makro Samsen
• Royal Irrigation Department
• Medium Irrigation Water Resources Development Division
• Wimol Sriyan Commercial College

Formerly Royal Irrigation Department.[52]

PP19 Vajira Hospital วชิรพยาบาล - Stacked - Exit to:
Vajira Hospital
Sukhothai Palace
• Market Place Dusit
• Suan Dusit University
Saint Gabriel's College
PP20 National Library หอสมุดแห่งชาติ - Side - Exit to:
• Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University
National Library of Thailand
• Rajamangala University of Technology Phra Nakhon

Thewet, Wat Thewarat Kunchorn

PP21 Bang Khun Phrom บางขุนพรหม - Stacked - Exit to:
Bank of Thailand
Bank of Thailand Museum
Bang Khun Phrom Palace
• Wat Sam Phraya
PP22 Democracy Monument อนุสาวรีย์ประชาธิปไตย - Stacked - Interchange station to  MRT  (under construction) Exit to:
• Mahakan Fort
• Rattanakosin Exhibition Hall
Queen Sirikit Gallery
• Royal Pavilion Mahajetsadabadin
Wat Saket

Formerly Phan Fa

PP23 Sam Yot สามยอด Thumb Island - Interchange station to  MRT  Exit to:
Giant Swing (including Wat Suthat and Wat Dev Mandir)
Khlong Ong Ang
• Mega Plaza Saphan Lek
Phahurat
Rommaninat Park
The Old Siam Plaza
PP24 Memorial Bridge สะพานพุทธฯ - Island - Proposed connecting station to Prachathipok station for  MRL  Exit to:
Suksanari School
Wat Prayurawongsawat Worawihan
Wat Phitchaya Yatikaram Worawihan
Wat Anongkharam Worawihan
• Big C Supercenter Itsaraphap
PP25 Wongwian Yai วงเวียนใหญ่ - Island - Connecting station, without paid-area integration to
 BTS  via 270-metre underground walkway
 SRT  via 120-metre covered walkway (future)
Exit to:
• Wongwian Yai Market
Wongwian Yai
PP26 Somdech Phra Pinklao Hospital โรงพยาบาลสมเด็จพระปิ่นเกล้า - Island - Exit to:
Somdech Phra Pinklao Hospital
• Samre Market

Formerly Samre

PP27 Dao Khanong ดาวคะนอง - Side Elevated - Exit to:
• Big C Supercenter Dao Khanong
• Wat Mongkhon Wararam
PP28 Bang Pakaeo บางปะแก้ว - Side -
PP29 Bang Pakok บางปะกอก - Side Exit to:
• Wat Bang Pakok
• Bang Pakok Wittayakom School
• Bangpakok 1 Hospital
• Bang Pakok Fresh Market
• Lotus's Bangpakok
PP30 Yaek Pracha Uthit แยกประชาอุทิศ - Side - Exit to:
• Bangkok Employment Office Area 2
• Han Clan Foundation of Thailand
• Wat Sarod School
• Wat Sarod

Formerly Rama 9 Bridge

PP31 Rat Burana ราษฎร์บูรณะ - Side
PP32 Phra Pradaeng พระประแดง - Side - Exit to:
• Phra Pradaeng Arcade Market
• HomePro Suk Sawat
• Big C Supercenter Suksawat
• Thaiwatsadu Suk Sawat
PP33 Khru Nai ครุใน - Side - Exit to Wat Kru Nai

[2]

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Infrastructure

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Depot

The Khlong Bang Phai Depot serves as the main maintenance facility for the entire MRT Purple Line. It is on Kanchanaphisek Road, near Khlong Bang Phai Station. Additionally, the Kru Nai stabling yard is currently under construction as part of the Purple Line Southern Section project. It is near the southern section of Kanchanaphisek Road in Phra Pradaeng District, Samut Prakan Province.

Park & Ride

There are currently four Park & Ride facilities along the MRT Purple Line, at Khlong Bang Phai, Sam Yaek Bang Yai, Bang Rak Noi Tha It, and Yaek Nonthaburi 1 stations. Two additional facilities are under construction at Bang Pakok and Rat Burana stations as part of the Purple Line Southern Section project.

Station

The MRT Purple Line comprises 33 stations, with 16 currently in operation since 2016—all of which are elevated. The remaining 17 stations are under construction and expected to be completed by 2029, consisting of 10 underground and 7 elevated stations.

Station structures on the MRT Purple Line North Section range from 300 to 400 meters in length and approximately 18 meters in width. In the Southern Section, underground stations typically measure 250 meters in length and 20 meters in width, while elevated stations are 153 meters long and 25 meters wide. All stations are designed to accommodate a maximum of six cars per train. Elevated stations are equipped with half-height platform screen doors, while underground stations will be fitted with full-height platform screen doors. In addition, the entrances to the stations are designed to be about one meter above ground level, taking into account the highest recorded flood levels in Bangkok to prepare for potential future flooding events.

Rolling stock

In November 2013, BEM contracted with Marubeni Corp, Toshiba Corp, and East Japan Railway Company to install E&S systems, supply 21 three-car trains (total of 63 cars) rolling stock, and provide maintenance for 10 years as part of a contract worth 12.6 billion baht.[53] East Japan Railway train manufacturing subsidiary J-TREC built them in Yokohama with the first sets delivered in early 2016.[54] The trains are owned by the MRTA which paid for the rolling stock at BEMs request.[38] The southern extension will acquire 17 additional trains, along with the current ones, to create a total of 38 trains.

In total, line is service by 21 three-car trains.[8] Trains are powered by 750 V DC via third rail system, are air-conditioned and capable of traveling at up to 80 km/h (50 mph).

Signaling system

Bombardier Cityflo 650 signaling system has been implemented for the MRT Purple Line project. This communication-based train control (CBTC) system supports automatic train operation (ATO), allowing for efficient and safe control of train movements. It enables real-time train monitoring, optimizing operations and minimizing delays while prioritizing passenger safety. Additionally, the system ensures a minimum headway of just ninety seconds.[55]

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Operation

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Service hour

The line operates with varying schedules across stations. The first train departs from Khlong Bang Phai station at 5:30 AM and from Tao Poon station at 6:00 AM. The frequency of train services depends on the time of day and passenger volume. The service hours are determined by the departure time of the last train heading to Khlong Bang Phai station. For example, when the last train departs from Tao Poon station at 11:24 PM, that marks the closing time for all stations, with the final closure occurring at Talad Bang Yai Station.

Headways

MRT Purple Line headway[56]
Time Headway (Minutes:Seconds)
Monday - Friday
05.30 - 06.30 07:12
06:30 - 08:30 04:50
08:30 - 09:30 06:25
09:30 - 17:00 08:30
17:00 - 20:00 04:50
20:00 - 21:00 06:25
21:00 - 24:00 09:30
Saturday
06:00 - 16:00 09:30
16:00 - 21:00 07:15
21:00 - 24:00 09:30
Saturday to Sunday and Public Holiday
06:00 - 24:00 09:30

Ridership

When the Purple line first opened daily ridership was only 22,000 compared to projected numbers of 100,000.[57] After the opening of the Blue Line extension to Tao Poon 1 year later in August 2017, daily average ridership increased significantly from 33,000 to 50,000.[58]

In August 2018, the MRTA Deputy Governor stated that daily ridership had increased to 60,000 each weekday.[59] By late 2019, this had increased to 70,000.[4] In 2023 the purple line saw an average of 50385 passengers per day.[60]

On 16 October 2023, MRT Purple Line began using the new fare rates of 14 to 20 baht (down from 16 to 42 baht) after the '20 Baht Transit Max Fares Policy' was approved by the Thai government.[61]

From 25 January to 31 January 2025, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra implemented a policy of free public transportation in Bangkok for one week. This measure aimed to address the worsening air pollution caused by surging dust levels across all districts of the capital.[62]

MRT Purple Line Ridership[63]
Year Quarter Quarterly Ridership Daily Ridership Annual Ridership Remarks
2016 Q1 3,074,389
Q2
Q3 1,161,989 20,731 PP01 Khlong Bang Phai - PP16 Tao Poon section opened on 6 August 2016.
Q4 1,912,400 20,796
2017 Q1 1,969,874 21,888 11,626,990
Q2 2,196,900 24,142
Q3 3,437,488 37,364 BL10 Tao Poon - BL11 Bang Sue section on MRT Blue Line opened on 11 August 2017, PP16 Tao Poon became a connecting station.
Q4 4,022,728 44,206
2018 Q1 4,005,632 44,508 17,644,588
Q2 4,120,533 45,281
Q3 4,791,613 52,083
Q4 4,726,810 51,379
2019 Q1 4,699,831 52,221 19,726,225
Q2 4,665,231 52,419
Q3 5,298,016 57,588
Q4 5,063,147 55,035
2020 Q1 4,719,549 51,863 16,836,638 1st wave of COVID-19 outbreaks (January 2020 - May 2020)
Q2 2,208,015 24,264
Q3 4,840,866 52,619
Q4 5,068,208 55,089 2nd wave of COVID-19 outbreaks (December 2020 - February 2021)
2021 Q1 3,475,384 38,615 9,841,934
Q2 1,993,392 21,668 3rd wave of COVID-19 outbreaks (April 2021 - June 2021)
Q3 1,417,404 15,407 4th wave of COVID-19 outbreaks (July 2021 - early 2022)
 SRT  Light Red Line opened on 21 August 2021, PP15 Bang Son became a connecting station.
Q4 2,955,754 32,128
2022 Q1 2,946,430 32,739 16,450,757
Q2 3,569,128 39,222
Q3 4,691,107 50,991
Q4 5,244,092 57,001
2023 Q1 5,122,816 56,921 21,508,224
Q2 4,897,809 53,823
Q3 5,623,257 61,123
Q4 5,864,342 63,742 Began using 14-20 Baht fare rates from 16 October 2023.[61]
 MRT  Pink Line opened on 21 November 2023, PP11 Nonthaburi Civic Center became a connecting station.
2024 Q1 6,005,239 65,992 24,675,599
Q2 5,718,198 62,837
Q3 6,628,438 72,049
Q4 6,323,724 68,737
2025 Q1 6,295,927 69,622 14,344,037 Free public transportation policy was implemented between 25 and 31 January 2025.[62]
Train services were temporarily suspended due to 2025 Myanmar Earthquake on 28 March 2025.[64]
Q2 5,806,279 63,806
Q3 2,241,831 72,318 As of July 2025.[citation needed]

Fares

MRT Purple Line fare is calculated based on the travel distance between the origin and destination stations. Previously, fares ranged from 14 to 42 baht, with a maximum of 70 baht when transferring to the MRT Blue Line. Following the introduction of the 20-baht fare policy in October 2023, fares were reduced to a range of 14 to 20 baht, with a new maximum of 51 baht when transferring to the Blue Line. Discounted fares are available for children under 14 and senior citizens, starting at 7 baht and capping at 36 baht with a Blue Line transfer. Student fares now start at 13 baht and rise to 48 baht when including a transfer to the Blue Line.

Starting on 30 November 2023, passengers using a credit or debit card, Visa, or Mastercard will receive a 20 baht discount when transferring to the Light Red Line, capping the maximum fare between the two lines at 20 baht.[65] In 2024, passengers will also receive a 15 baht discount when transferring from the Purple Line to the Pink Line, and a 14 baht discount when transferring in the opposite direction. Senior citizens are eligible for an 8 baht discount when transferring from the Purple Line to the Pink Line, and a 7 baht discount when transferring from the Pink Line to the Purple Line. Students will receive a 15 baht discount when transferring from the Purple Line to the Pink Line, and a 13 baht discount when transferring from the Pink Line to the Purple Line.[66]

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Incidents

2025 Myanmar Earthquake

On March 28, a 7.7-magnitude earthquake in Myanmar struck Bangkok, leading to the temporary suspension of all train services to ensure readiness for resumption and to prepare for potential aftershocks. The line resumed normal service on the next day.[67]

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See also

References

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