Saturday, July 03, 2004

Thailand's king opens first subway line in Bangkok

BANGKOK, Thailand: Thailand's king on Saturday inaugurated Bangkok's first subway line, which city officials hope will help ease the capital's notoriously congested traffic.

The new US$2.75-billion subway complements an elevated rail system -- called the Skytrain -- which has been running since December 1999.

The subway system, intended to serve more than 200,000 passengers a day, initially has a single 20-kilometer (12.4-mile) line spanning 18 stations from central Bangkok to outlying areas.

Thousands of people gathered at Hualamphong Station -- also the capital's main railway terminus -- for the subway's inauguration by 76-year-old King Bhumibol Adulyadej, accompanied by Queen Sirikit and their daughter, Crown Princess Sirindhorn.

The royal family performed an opening ceremony and then boarded a train for a special first run. The public was allowed to ride later Saturday.

Sawang Dokmai-ngarm, a 69-year-old taxi driver, said he took the day off in hopes of seeing the king and catching a ride on the first public run.

"As a taxi driver, I don't think it will affect my job that much but it will be convenient for a lot of people living in the city,'' he said. "What I'm really interested in is how the train runs under the ground.''

Thailand's infamous traffic jams improved after the opening of the Skytrain and an elevated highway system, but have worsened again in recent years.

More than 4,000 police officers and almost 100 security guards were on alert for Saturday's royal ride, said Raveewat Rattanasen, the director of the subway's security system.

The government is planning to extend the combined 40 kilometers (25 miles) of track for both the Skytrain and the subway to 200 kilometers (124 miles) within six years.

"The service should be expanded soon if the government is really committed to benefiting people,'' said Chanita Mgarmpakdipanich, 45, a shop owner who arrived hours early to see the opening.

Tickets will range from 14 to 36 baht (36 to 92 U.S. cents), but will be discounted for an initial period. -AP

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Thailand's king opens first subway line in Bangkok