Selected Bangkok trains and ferries free for New Year travellers
Bangkok metropolitan authorities have announced a New Year’s gift of free journeys on selected urban transport systems. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) says partygoers and travellers will be offered complimentary rides for 24 hours from 12:00 on New Year’s Eve until midday on the 1 January.
In a statement, the BMA explained fares would be waived on BTS Skytrain services and also the Sathon to Ratchapruek Bus Rapid Transit Line. Ferries plying the key Phasi Charoen Canal between Pratunam and the jetty at Phet Kasem 69 will be free too.
The BMA says free travel is its New Year’s gift to travellers. The agency has so far not confirmed whether it will extend its generosity to include subway, regular bus and Chao Phraya River ferry services.
Sathon and Ratchapruek are two stations on the BTS Skytrain Silom Line and the Bus Rapid Transit provides a convenient link to them for people residing in the south central districts of the Thai capital. The BTS Skytrain Sukhumvit Line links to the Silom Line in addition to Ekkamai Bus Station, Siam Square and a location about one kilometre from Morchit Bus Station.
12GO ASIA says all transport options in Bangkok will be busy in the run up to the New Year and in the days following. We advise travellers to leave ample time to reach their departure stations when heading off to locations such as Pattaya, Koh Chang, Hua Hin and Chiang Mai.
News
August a record for rainy season visitor numbers in Thailand
Tourism authorities in Thailand say August was a bumper month for international tourist arrivals. Figures just released show 3.1 million tourists visited in the traditional low-season month and the number was almost 10 per cent higher than for the same month in 2016.
Direct Kuala Lumpur to Nha Trang flights take off
Last Friday saw the maiden voyage of a flight service linking the Malaysian capital city and one of the most popular seaside towns in Vietnam. When AirAsia flight AK2014 took off from Kuala Lumpur it marked the inauguration of the first direct flight connection between Malaysia and Nha Trang.
Contract for supply of new Bangkok underground Blue Line trains agreed
Bangkok Expressway and Metro has agreed terms with Siemens for the supply of new trains to serve the extensions of the city’s underground train line. A partnership headed by the global manufacturer has won the contract for the supply of 35 triple-carriage trains.