Bangkok’s much awaited Airport Rail Link will officially open on August 23, 2010 after a four-year delay.
Two services will be offered. The first is the 15-minute Express service between Suvarnabhumi Airport and Bangkok's city centre, priced at THB150 (US$4.69), with a promotional fare of THB100 (US$3.12) offered until year-end. The second is the 30-minute City Line commuter trip, priced between THB15 (US$0.46) and THB45 (US$1.40) for each station stop, but for the meantime, with a promotional fare pegged at a flat fee of THB15 also until year-end.
The Makkasan Station is the designated City Air Terminal. Phaya Thai Station, close to the Victory Monument – favourite site of mass civilian rallies – is the last stop on the route.
Plenty of luggage space and panoramic views of Bangkok are promised on the journey between the airport and the city.
Teething problems have been noted, however, including the lack of a downward escalator connecting the BTS Phaya Thai skytrain station and the Phaya Thai airport rail link station as well as the absence of a single commuter ticket combining the services of the airport rail link, BTS and MRT (subway). This means a traveller has to buy tickets separately at each interchange.
For more details, visit www.bangkokairporttrain.com
Margie T Logarta
