If you want to take a boat on the river, or catch one of the shuttles to the river hotels and shopping centres, most people make a beeline for the Saphan Thaksin Skytrain station – about 4,000 a day according to the BMA. Anyone who takes that line has known since it started operation (ending at that station) that the track becomes single line operation. Why this should be so, I have no idea, because the plan always was to extend the line across the river and the start of the extension had been constructed.

 

Now that the line does cross the river, according to the Skytrain operators, the single-track operation at Saphan Taksin is causing a bottleneck. Which seems somewhat odd to me. How is it that computers cannot control the movement of the trains to avoid bottlenecks?

 

Be that as it may, the decision has been made to demolish Saphan Taksin station. That, we are told, is the only way in which they can add another track. And what of all those passengers getting on and off at Saphan Taksin? Well, the BMA is not worried. For it has announced plans to build an underpass with travelators so passengers can easily walk the 700 meters to Surasak station! According to the Bangkok Governor -

 

"We will ensure that commuters continue to enjoy convenience. With the Skywalk and moving walkways, it will only take them five minutes to get from the Saphan Taksin Station to Surasak Station"

 

http://www.nationmul...n-30183268.html

 

And now that the station is being dismantled, will passengers be able to use the walkway? Nope. It has not been started! And when will it be ready? Absolutely no idea. My guess is that the new track will be finished first and then work will start. I’ll give it at least 2 years.

 

Meantime, it’s not unreasonable to ask: why was double track not constructed at the outset?

My experiences of the Skytrain system have been good, however this one certainly looks like a major foul up. The station is certainly in a good position for all the river boats & stopping on the other side of the river is not a good alternative.

 

Surely they should rebuild a station here after widening the track?

The public has been told there is just no room to do so. I have my doubts because I feel sure platforms could be cantilevered over the one-way road on the west side and whatever is there on the east. When I am next in that area, I'll take a look. But it will merely be an exercise because the decision to build the underpass instead has been made.

A quick look at google satellite images shows the existing station and line, with 3 lanes of cars visible either side. And a park beyond one of the roads. Therefore, it HAS to be possible to configure 2 lines and a station in this space.

 

Currently, this is the one station that links up with the river taxi service, so to close it seems rather silly.

Surely, you are forgetting that this is Thailand. Often, things are silly but that is Thailand.