Photo taken on July 18, 2019 shows the interior design of Sanam Chai station on Bangkok's metro Blue Line in Bangkok, Thailand. The Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) announced at Bangkok on Thursday that part of the city's metro Blue Line extension, including Sanam Chai station, will open for a two-month free run from July 29. Sanam Chai station, located inside Bangkok's Old City, is called by MRTA and Thai media the most beautiful metro station in Thailand. (Xinhua/Yang Zhou)
BANGKOK, July 18 (Xinhua) -- The Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) announced at Bangkok on Thursday that part of the city's metro Blue Line extension, including beautiful Sanam Chai Station, will open for a two-month free run from July 29.
At a press conference at Sanam Chai station, MRTA Governor Pakapong Sirikantaramas said the Blue Line extension from Hua Lamphong to Tha Phra with a total of five stations to be open to the public for free from July 29 to Sept. 28, and will be officially open on Sept. 29.
Other stations along the Blue Line extension will open gradually, he added.
Pakapong said that in the initial 2-month period, the trains run along the five stations from 10.00 a.m. local time to 16.00 p.m. local time and passengers need to transfer at Hua Lamphong station to the current Blue Line from Hua Lamphong to Tao Poon.
With a deep dark red ceiling with golden-patterns, well-decorated pillars and palace-like walls, Sanam Chai station, located inside Bangkok Old City, is called by MRTA and Thai media the most beautiful metro station in Thailand.
Designed by renowned Thai architect Pinyo Suwankiri, the station reflects architecture and art of early Ratanakosin, a period of Thai traditional art which started with the birth of the current Chakri Dynasty.
Sanam Chai, not far from Temple of the Reclining Buddha, the Grand Palace and other Thai tourist attractions, will also give tourists much convenience to visit those tourist attractions.
Apart from Sanam Chai, Wat Mangkon, Sam Yot, Itsaraphap stations are all well decorated to reflect the history and characteristics of the areas they are located in.
The four well decorated stations and Tha Phra, which are to be opened soon, are just part of the Blue Line extension.
After opening fully next year, the Bangkok Blue Line will run in a loop, thus helping alleviate the severe traffic congestion in the city.
