Former:Siemens Trainguard LZB700M fixed block ATC under ATO GoA 2 (STO) Current:Bombardier CITYFLO 450 moving block CBTCATC under ATO GoA 2 (STO), with subsystems of ATP, ATS and CBI[2][3]
The line was first opened on 5 December 1999, along with the Silom Line. Both lines are operated by the Bangkok Mass Transit System Public Company Limited under a 30-year concession from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration. When it opened, the line ran from Mo Chit to On Nut covering a total distance of 16.7 km (10.4 mi) with 17 stations. As of October 2024,[update] Sukhumvit Line is one of the main arteries of the Bangkok Mass Rapid Transit System with 900,000 daily passengers per day (combined with the Silom Line). The line rapidly expanded from 2011 until 2021, tripling its distance through three extension projects and reaching a total length of 51.17 km (31.80 mi) with 47 stations.
History
Original plan
The Sukhumvit Line's initial proposal was for 12.8 km (8.0 mi) route running from N4 station to E9 station with the depot located at Lumphini Park near the Silom Line. However, this location for the depot faced backlash from the public opinion, which argued that it violated King Rama VI's intention in donating his land to establish Lumphini Park for the public. Additionally, there were protests demanding that the construction of both Skytrain lines be built underground instead of being fully elevated. Therefore, several alternative locations for the depot were considered, such as a vacant land plot in Soi Rangnam owned by the Crowned Property Bureau or the Phra Khanong pumping station in Sukhumvit 50. Ultimately, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration decided to relocate the depot to the former site of the Northern Bus Terminal (commonly known as the Mo Chit Bus Terminal). With the decision made, the Sukhumvit Line route was extended from N4 station to N8 station. Several changes were made during the construction, as follows:[5]
N3, N4, E8, and E9 stations were changed from an island platform to side platforms.
The fully operational year was pushed from the end of 1996 to the end of 1999.
Station designs were drastically changed from the EIA reports.
CEN station was moved from the east side of Chaloem Phao junction to the west side.
E1 station was moved from the east side of the Chit Lom junction to the west side, in front of Mater Dei School, with the two entrances in front of the school being canceled due to protests from school staffs and students concerned about privacy, landscape, and air pollution issues.
E4 station was moved from the east side of the Asok junction to the west side.
Extensions
Bearing Extension
Construction started in August 2006 on a four-billion baht, 5.25 km (3.26 mi) extension from On Nut to Bearing which included 5 new stations[6] The extension was funded by the BMA.[7] The original scheduled opening date was mid-2009. However, a delay in tendering the contract for the electrical and signaling works resulted in a two-year delay.
The extension did not open until over two years later, on 12 August 2011. The delay in opening prompted the BMA to offer free travel on this extension until the end of 2011 as compensation.
Samut Prakan Extension
Construction started in April 2012 on a 12.6 km (7.8 mi), nine station extension from Bearing station to Kheha station. The extension was funded by the MRTA as it is outside BMA city limits, Bangkok Province. Construction was contracted to take 1,350 days and the extension was originally scheduled to open by early 2017. In April 2013, the MRTA awarded Ch Karnchang the contract for track laying and electrical systems.[8]
In June 2014, civil works were stated to be 28.3 percent complete. In August 2016, the BMA agreed to take over the operation of the extension from MRTA. Delays over the agreement of how much the BMA should pay MRTA caused a delay in the commencement of test runs on the extension. Track works were 98% completed by November 2016. The total cost of the extension was estimated at 21.4 billion baht.[9] In January 2017, it was announced that the opening of the extension could be further delayed to 2018-2019 due to budgetary concerns and ongoing disputes between the MRTA and BMA.[10]
The first 1.2 km (0.75 mi) section of the extension to Samrong station opened on 3 April 2017.[11] The full extension to Kheha opened on 6 December 2018.[12]
Khu Khot Extension
An 11.4 km, 11 station northern extension from Mo Chit station to Saphan Mai in Don Mueang District had been planned since the Sukhumvit Line opened. Originally, this extension was scheduled to be completed by 2008. However, due to a combination of changes in government, a prolonged environmental study, and problems with locating a suitable train depot the extension was continually delayed. A further 16.5 km (10.3 mi), nine station extension from Saphan Mai to Khu Khot was also planned once the extension to Saphan Mai had been completed.
After multiple delays, in mid-2013 a decision was made to tender extensions (1) and (2) at the same time, by the end of 2013. However, the dissolution of parliament in November 2013 delayed this yet again. A tender was finally released in January 2014[13] with an April deadline before being delayed until late May 2014 due to concerns from bidders.[14]A military coup in late-May 2014 suspended the bidding process whilst the military administration reviewed all major projects. In late June, the military administration affirmed that the tender would proceed before the end of 2014. In August 2014, the MRTA announced that the new tender deadline was 30 September 2014.[15] Five bidders qualified and the successful bids were announced in December 2014.[16] The tender specified a construction period of 1,350 days.
On 3 April 2015, MRTA signed four contracts for this extension:[17]
Construction of the viaduct before entering Ha Yaek Lat Phrao station in 2018.
The MRTA, contactors and Thai Traffic Police met on 2 September 2015 and confirmed construction would begin on 8 September 2015. A flyover at Kasetsart was demolished, which commenced on 12 September 2015.[18]
At 31 December 2017, the progress of civil works construction was at 53.31% according to the MRTA.[19] As of April 2018,[update] the MRTA stated that civil works progress had advanced to 63.27%.[20] As of 30 September 2018,[update] overall construction had progressed to 78.79%.[21] By the end of March 2019, civil construction had nearly been completed having progressed to 99.42%.[20]
Testing of the final 9.8 km, seven-station-section from Wat Phra Sri Mahathat (N17) to Khu Khot (N24) began on 5 October.[22] The final section was officially opened on 16 December 2020 by the Prime Minister.[23]
Tamru Extension (future)
There is a plan to extend Sukhumvit Line from Kheha to Tamru for 10.1 km (6.3 mi), including 5 additional stations: Sawangkhaniwat, Mueang Boran, Si Chan Pradit, Bang Pu, and Tamru. This extension has been suspended indefinitely until clarity is reached regarding passenger guarantees.
There is a plan to extend Sukhumvit Line from Khu Khot Station eastwards for 7.8 km (4.8 mi), including four additional stations: Khlong Sam, Khlong Si, Khlong Ha, and Eastern Ring Road-Lam Luk Ka. This extension has been suspended indefinitely until clarity is reached regarding passenger guarantees.
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