Wikipedia

Yellow Line (Bangkok)

(Redirected from Bangkok Monorail Yellow Line)

The MRT Yellow Line (Thai: รถไฟฟ้ามหานคร สายสีเหลือง) or MRT Nakkhara Phiphat Line (Thai: รถไฟฟ้ามหานคร สายนัคราพิพัฒน์) is an elevated monorail line in Bangkok and Samut Prakan Province, Thailand, part of the MRT rapid transit system. The 28.62 km (17.78 mi) line has 23 stations and cost 55 billion baht.[3] The line was originally proposed in 2005 by the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning to be a heavy rail underground line along Lat Phrao road which was then elevated from Lam Sali Intersection to Samrong. However, it was decided in 2012 to build an elevated monorail line for the whole length in order to reduce construction costs.

MRT Yellow Line
สายสีเหลือง
A Bombardier Innovia Monorail 300 at Bang Kapi station
Overview
Other name(s)MRT Nakkara Phiphat Line
Native nameรถไฟฟ้าสายสีเหลือง
รถไฟฟ้าสายนัคราพิพัฒน์
StatusOperational
OwnerMass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand
LocaleBangkok and Samut Prakan, Thailand
Termini
Stations23
Websitehttps://mrta-yellowline.com
Service
TypeMonorail
SystemMetropolitan Rapid Transit
Operator(s)Eastern Bangkok Monorail Company Limited
(Subsidiary of BSR Consortium)
Depot(s)Si Iam Depot
Rolling stockAlstom Innovia Monorail 300
28 four-cars trains
Daily ridership48,035 (30 August 2024)[1]
History
Opened3 July 2023; 16 months ago (2023-07-03)
Technical
Line length28.62 kilometers (17.78 mi)
CharacterFully elevated
Electrification750 V DC
Operating speed80 km/h (50 mph)
SignallingBombardier CITYFLO 650 moving block CBTC ATC under ATO GoA 4 (Fully Automated Train Control), with subsystems of ATP, ATS and CBI[2]
Route map

Legend
Blue Line
 Lat Phrao
 MRT 
Blue Line
 Phawana
Chok Chai 4
Lat Phrao 71
Lat Phrao 83
Mahat Thai
Lat Phrao 101
Bang Kapi
Yaek Lam Sali
 MRT 
Orange Line
 Si Kritha
Hua Mak
ARL
SRT
Airport Rail Link
Light Red Line
 Kalantan
Si Nut
Srinagarindra 38
Suan Luang Rama IX
Si Udom
Debaratana-Si Iam
Maintenance Center
 Si Iam
Si La Salle
Si Bearing
Si Dan
Si Thepha
Thipphawan
Samrong
 BTS 
Sukhumvit line
This diagram:
A typical ticket office of the Yellow Line
Fare gates in Si Kritha Station
A ticket vending machine in a Yellow Line station
Signage at Hua Mak Station
A typical Yellow Line platform level at Si La Salle (YL18)

The Yellow Line provides mass transit along the heavily congested Lat Phrao Road and Srinagarindra Road corridors. The line links 6 other lines; the MRT Blue Line, interchange with the MRT Orange Line (which is under construction), the planned MRT Grey Line and MRT Brown Line, the Airport Rail Link (Bangkok) and finally the BTS Sukhumvit Line. As such, it is an important cross city link in the middle north-eastern and eastern areas of Bangkok.

Preliminary site works began in late 2017 with major construction work starting from March 2018. In October 2020, the BSR stated that they plan to open the first section of the Yellow Line by October 2021 with initial operations running from Samrong to Si Iam.[4] The line was then planned to fully open in July 2022.[5] However, due to COVID-19 outbreaks in Bangkok delaying construction with sites closed, the BSR stated that the first section of the line would not open until July 2022.[6] On 29 November 2021, daily testing began on a 6 km (3.7 mi) section of the line between the depot at Si Iam and Srinagarindra 38 station. Testing was expanded after a 3-month period.[6]

In mid-April 2022, the Director of EBM/BSR, Mr Surapong Laoha-Unya, stated that further labour & installation delays would mean that the line would now not open until September 2022.[7] Construction had progressed to 99.02% as of the end of April 2023.[8]

After repeated delays, the line partially opened to the public for free trial rides on 3 June 2023 from Hua Mak to Samrong,[9] having done a private trial ride between Kalantan and Samrong for the press the day before. Trial rides for Phawana to Hua Mak section began on 12 June,[10] while the final section between Phawana and Lat Phrao station opened on 19 June.[11][12]

Rabbit Card or EMV credit cards are accepted on the MRT Yellow Line, although pricing is yet to be determined.[12]

Route alignment

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The line starts at the intersection of Ratchadaphisek and Lat Phrao roads where it interchanges with the MRT Blue Line at Lat Phrao station. The line then heads east along Lat Phrao road to Bang Kapi intersection and south to Lam Sali station to interchange with the MRT Orange Line and the future MRT Brown Line. The line continues further south along Srinagarindra Road to Hua Mak where it interchanges with the Airport Rail Link at Hua Mak station.

From Hua Mak, the route continues south along Srinagarindra Road past the Debaratna (Bang Na-Trat) Road all the way to Thepharak Road in Samut Prakan Province, then heading west along Thepharak Road where it terminates at Samrong and interchanges with Samrong of the BTS Sukhumvit Line.[13]

The line stretches from Lat Phrao (YL1) to Samrong (YL23) and the depot is located at Debaratana Road adjacent to Si Iam station (YL17).

History

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Si Iam MRT station during the trial run period

The Yellow line was first proposed in the mid 1990s as a monorail line by Japanese consultants with little or no progress for 10 years. In 2004, the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP) reworked the proposal as a heavy rail line with underground and elevated sections as part of the 10 line metro plan which was taken to the February 2005 election. In 2009, it was suggested to change the line to an elevated monorail line as a cost saving measure. In December 2011, the MRTA was instructed by the MOT to divide the Yellow Line into two phases for tender and construction purposes and to reduce land appropriation costs.[14] In June 2012, the MRTA contracted consultants to undertake detailed designs of the line. In February 2013, OTP stated that the tender for the Yellow Line should be ready by late 2013 for tender in early 2014.[15] By August 2013, this timeline had changed to a mid 2014 tender date.[16]

However, similar to the MRT Pink Line, delays in finalising the technical requirements of the tender in relation to the selection of monorail rolling stock which determines the type of track to be constructed resulted in further delays. The subsequent political turmoil of late 2013 and early 2014 caused even more delays. Thereafter, a coup in May 2014 resulted in a new military administration and the tender being deferred while a review of all mass transit projects was undertaken for a period of 18 months. The MRTA was instructed by the junta government to change to a PPP tender process which was subsequently not released until mid-2016. In early December 2016, The BSR consortium consisting of BTS Group Holdings (75% majority stake) with Sino-Thai Engineering and Construction (STEC), and Ratchaburi Electricity Generation Holding (RATCH), won the bid construct and operate the Yellow Line. The BSR also won the bid to build and operate the MRT Pink Line.[17]

On June 16, 2017, the contract was signed for the project between the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand and BSR consortium. The BSR established the Eastern Bangkok Monorail Company Limited (EBM) to operate the line. A proposed 2 station extension of the route north from the Lat Phrao terminus to link to the BTS Sukhumvit Line at Ratchayothin station has also been proposed by the BSR Joint Venture.[18] However, this extension is opposed by the MRT Blue Line operator BEM due to concerns regarding loss of revenue.[19]

Construction of the Yellow Line began in March 2018.[20]

The public trial run started on 3 June 2023, between Hua Mak and Samrong. The Phawana-Si Kritha section opened on 12 June,[10] while Lat Phrao station opened on 19 June.[11][12]

As of June, 2024. Passengers are required to change train due to technical difficulties, sections of station runs in different frequency. Latphrao to Huamak runs every 5 minutes, Huamak to Sri Iam runs every 25 minutes and from Sri Iam to the terminus Samrong every 10 minutes. Yellow maintenance carts can be seen along the line from Huamak to Samrong.

Rolling stock

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BSR selected Bombardier Innovia Monorail 300 rolling stock for the Yellow line.[21] The BSR announced that they would purchase 28 4-car sets to operate the Yellow line.[22] The trains were manufactured by CRRC Puzhen Bombardier Transportation Systems (joint venture of Bombardier Transportation and CRRC Nanjing Puzhen) in Wuhu, Anhui, China. The first set was assembled and shipped on 4 September 2020 with delivery to Thailand at the end of September 2020.[23] The first set arrived in Thailand on 1 October 2020 at Laem Chabang port with a handover ceremony attended by the Thai Prime Minister, BTSC Chairman, MRTA and Canadian Ambassador.[24] Two more sets arrived in mid December 2020 for a total of 5 sets by the end of 2020. By July 2021, 8 sets had been delivered and were being tested.[25] As of the end of October 2021, 12 sets had been delivered.[26] By the end of November 2021, the BSR stated that 20 sets had been delivered with the remaining sets expected to be fully delivered by the end of March 2022.[6] However, as of mid April 2022 only 26 sets had been received and were progressing undergoing testing.[27] The remaining sets were expected to be delivered by July 2022.

Technical Characteristics

  • Low profile vehicles/low floor height above beam[28]
  • Distinct sloped nose/end-cap
  • Inter-car walkthrough[28]
  • Rubber-tires and permanent magnet motor[28]
  • Aluminium body, steel underframe, composite end cap
  • 4-car sets have a capacity of 24,100 pax p/h each way and 8-car sets a capacity of 49.600 pax p/h each way with a 75-second headway.[29]
  • Innovia Monorails are all fully automated and are equipped with CITYFLO 650 GOA 4 (Fully Automated Train Control)communications-based train control for driverless operation to increase reliability, shorten head ways between trains and lower maintenance costs.[30]

The BSR stated that the passenger capacity for 4-car sets will be 17,000 passengers per hour each way.

Guideway beams

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Elevated guideway beams at Lat Phrao Station

The Bombardier Innovia Monorail 300 operates on a narrow, elevated guideway beam. Pre-cast, post-tensioned guideway beams are constructed at an off-site location and later installed on the system. The guideway beams are 690 mm (27 in) wide.[28] The Innovia Monorail 300 was designed to navigate curves as tight as 46 m (151 ft) and a maximum grade of 6%. Monorail switches are either beam replacement or multi-position pivot switches.[31] The system has evacuation walkways down the entire length of the guideway beam. These walkways allow passengers to escape any onboard hazard. The maintenance crew also uses these walkways for repairs and general maintenance to the system.[32]

List of stations

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Route diagram shown at Si Thepha station


Code Station Name Opened Platform

Type

Park & Ride Transfers Notes
English Thai
 YL 01  Lat Phrao ลาดพร้าว 19 June 2023; 16 months ago (2023-06-19)[11][12] Side √ Connecting station to  MRT  Exit to:
• The Bazaar Hotel Bangkok
• Gourmet Market MRT Lat Phrao
 YL 02  Phawana ภาวนา 12 June 2023; 16 months ago (2023-06-12)[10] Side -
 YL 03  Chok Chai 4 โชคชัย 4 Side - Exit to:
• Chok Chai 4 Market
• Council of Engineers
• Royal Thai Survey Department Section 1
 YL 04  Lat Phrao 71 ลาดพร้าว 71 Side - Proposed connecting station to  MRL 
 YL 05  Lat Phrao 83 ลาดพร้าว 83 Side - Exit to BigC Supercenter Ladprao 1
 YL 06  Mahat Thai มหาดไทย Side - Exit to:
• Ladprao General Hospital
• Foodland Lat Phrao
• Green Hospital Ladprao General
 YL 07  Lat Phrao 101 ลาดพร้าว 101 Side -
 YL 08  Bang Kapi บางกะปิ Side - Connecting station to The Mall Bangkapi pier for Khlong Saen Saep boat service Exit to:
• Makro Ladprao
• Tawanna Market
• The Mall Lifestore Bangkapi
• Happyland Center
• Lotus’s Bangkapi
• Bang Kapi Market
 YL 09  Yaek Lam Sali แยกลำสาลี Side - Connecting station to
•  MRT  (under construction)
•  MRT  (future)
 YL 10  Si Kritha ศรีกรีฑา Side - Exit to:
• Syn Mun Kong Insurance Headquarter
• B.Grimm Technologies Headquarter
• Piyaphirom Park
 YL 11  Hua Mak หัวหมาก 3 June 2023; 17 months ago (2023-06-03)[33] Side - Connecting station to

•  SRT  (future)
•    ARL 
• SRT Eastern Line

Exit to MaxValu Supermarket
 YL 12  Kalantan กลันตัน Side - Exit to Thanya Park
 YL 13  Si Nut ศรีนุช Side -
 YL 14  Srinagarindra 38 ศรีนครินทร์ 38 Side -
 YL 15  Suan Luang Rama IX สวนหลวง ร.9 Side - Exit to:
• Seacon Square
• Train Night Market Srinagarindra
• Paradise Park
• Suan Luang Rama IX (Magnolia Gate)
 YL 16  Si Udom ศรีอุดม Side - Exit to Synphaet Srinagarindra Hospital
 YL 17  Si Iam ศรีเอี่ยม Side √ Proposed connecting station to  BTS  (future) Exit to:
• Wat Sri IamL
• Si Iam MRT Depot
• AIA East Gateway
• Ample Tower
 YL 18  Si La Salle ศรีลาซาล Side -
 YL 19  Si Bearing ศรีแบริ่ง Side -
 YL 20  Si Dan ศรีด่าน Side - Exit to JAS Urban Srinakarin
 YL 21  Si Thepha ศรีเทพา Side -
 YL 22  Thipphawan ทิพวัล Side -
 YL 23  Samrong สำโรง Side - Interchange station with  BTS  via transfer gates. Exit to:
• Imperial World Samrong
• Big C Supercenter Samrong 1
• Iamcharoen Market
• Samrong Fresh Market
• Samrong Medical Hospital

Potential future extension

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A proposed 2-station extension of the route north from the current Ratchada terminus to link to the BTS Sukhumvit Line Extension at Ratchayothin station has also been proposed by the BSR Joint Venture.[18] However, this extension is opposed by the MRT Blue Line operator BEM,[19] estimating about 988 million baht loss on the extension's first year of service and 2.7 billion baht throughout the 30-year concession period.[34]

The extension was approved in February 2021, with construction set to be completed in 2024.[35] However, EBM has repeatedly denied MRTA's request to provide compensation for BEM, which may result in a cancellation of the extension if no decision has been made.[34][36]

However, due to lower-than-expected passenger numbers, MRTA decided to halt the extension plans, as the Yellow Line needs at least 100,000 passengers per day to ensure the investment feasibility of the project[37]

The Yellow Line terminates at Samrong. A future extension from Samrong across the Chao Phraya River to link with the MRT Purple Line at Rat Burana was canvassed by the OTP in the early 2010s. However, the location and design of Samrong station excludes any further extension of the line west of Sukhumvit Road.

Code Station Name Transfers
English Thai
 YLEX 02  Phahon Yothin 24 พหลโยธิน 24 Connecting station to Phahon Yothin 24 for  BTS 
 YLEX 01  Chankasem จันทรเกษม

Network map

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Incidents

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January 2024 equipment failure

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On 2 January 2024, a guide wheel from one of the trains fell off between Si Thepha Station and Si Dan Station and hit a taxi on Thepharak Road. There were no injuries.[38] Investigations found the cause due to a broken ball bearing socket holding the wheels. The event followed a similar incident a week earlier on the Pink Line, where a 300-meter section of the on conductor rail fell onto the road near Samakkhi station.[39] The following day, trains operated at 55-minute intervals with many complaints from commuters returning to work on the first day after the new year holidays.[40] EBM is expected to be fined heavily for the damage. Service was restored on 4 January with trains running at 15-minute intervals free of charge.[41]

March 2024 equipment failures

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On 28 March 2024 loose bolts caused parts fell from the conductor rail to the street below between Kalantan and Si Udom stations causing service to be suspended and damaging vehicles.[42] The following day limited service was resumed[43] but a power outage at Hua Mak caused a further partial suspension of service.[44] Six stations were still closed two days after the incident.[45] Repairs to the affected section could take 2-3 months.[46]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ ""กรมการขนส่งทางราง" เผยวันศุกร์สิ้นเดือนสิงหาคม 67 มีผู้ใช้บริการรถไฟฟ้าสายฉลองรัชธรรม (สีม่วง) และรถไฟฟ้าสายสีแดง สูงสุดตั้งแต่เปิดให้บริการมา หลังมีนโยบายอัตราค่าโดยสารรถไฟฟ้าสูงสุด 20 บาทตลอดสาย". กรมการขนส่งทางราง กระทรวงคมนาคม (in Thai). 2024-08-31. Retrieved 2024-09-04.
  2. ^ "Alstom's automated Innovia monorail system enters service in Bangkok". Archived from the original on 2023-09-11.
  3. ^ "MRTA Yellow Line project". Archived from the original on 2023-09-11.
  4. ^ "เปิดไทม์ไลน์-ค่าตั๋ว รถไฟฟ้าไร้คนขับ "สายสีชมพู-เหลือง"". Prachachat. 1 October 2020.
  5. ^ Theparat, Chatrudee (30 October 2020). "Tangled lines". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
  6. ^ a b c "วิ่งทดสอบฉลุย! โมโนเรล 'สายสีเหลือง' ทำความเร็ว 80 กม./ชม. พร้อมบริการกลางปี 65". Manager Online. 30 November 2021.
  7. ^ "วันสงกรานต์..สาดความสดใส โมโนเรลชมพู&เหลืองได้นั่งส.ค.น." Dailynews. 13 April 2022.
  8. ^ "อัปเดตความคืบหน้าการก่อสร้าง ประจำเดือนเมษายน 2566". 8 May 2023.
  9. ^ "รฟม. เชิญชมภาพบรรยากาศ การเดินรถเสมือนจริง (Trial Run) รถไฟฟ้ามหานคร สายสีเหลือง รอบสื่อมวลชนค่ะ". 2 June 2023.
  10. ^ a b c "รฟม. ขยายเส้นทางเปิดทดสอบการเดินรถเสมือนจริง (Trial Run) รถไฟฟ้ามหานคร สายสีเหลือง ตั้งแต่วันที่ 12 มิถุนายน นี้ เป็นต้นไป จากสถานีภาวนา ถึง สถานีสำโรง ระหว่างเวลา 06.00 น. – 20.00 น." www.mrta.co.th (in Thai). Retrieved 2023-06-09.
  11. ^ a b c "Prayut to preside over official Yellow Line opening". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 2023-06-08.
  12. ^ a b c d "Prayut tries out Bangkok's new monorail". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 2023-06-19.
  13. ^ "MRT Yellow line Route".
  14. ^ "ฐานเศรษฐกิจ - Connecting Opportunity". Retrieved 27 August 2016.
  15. ^ "สนข.เร่งสร้างรถไฟฟ้า ฟุ้งปี56ได้ใช้ตั๋วร่วมแน่ | ไทยโพสต์". Archived from the original on 2013-12-16. Retrieved 2014-06-27.
  16. ^ "ผู้จัดการออนไลน์ รวดเร็ว สด ทุกเหตุการณ์".
  17. ^ "BSR Joint venture wins rights for Bangkok's Yellow, Pink line MRTA construction". Bangkok Post. 7 December 2016.
  18. ^ a b "Junta to call bids for most infra projects - The Nation". The Nation. Retrieved 2017-06-17.
  19. ^ a b Author meeting with MRTA planning division on 7 August 2019 at MTRA Headquarters
  20. ^ "Construction of monorail lines gets ceremonial launch". Bangkok Post. 27 August 2018.
  21. ^ "ข่าวรอบวัน". ประชาชาติธุรกิจ.
  22. ^ "ผู้จัดการออนไลน์ รวดเร็ว สด ทุกเหตุการณ์".
  23. ^ http://ah.sina.com.cn/news/2020-09-04/detail-iivhvpwy4950163.shtml ah.sina.com.au, 4 September 2020
  24. ^ "Bangkok monorail trains arrive". Railway Gazette. 2 October 2020.
  25. ^ "Monorails arrive". Transport Daily news. 22 July 2021.
  26. ^ "เริ่มพรุ่งนี้! ปิดฝั่งละช่องสะพานข้ามแยก "รัชดาฯ-ลาดพร้าว" วางคานเหล็กรถไฟฟ้าสีเหลือง". Dailynews. 29 October 2021.
  27. ^ ""รถไฟฟ้าชมพู-เหลือง" ทดสอบเดินรถเสมือนจริง ก.ย.นี้". Dailynews. 19 April 2022.
  28. ^ a b c d "ALWEG - Bombardier Innovia Monorail 300". The Monorail Society - Technical Page. The Monorail Society. Archived from the original on 2015-07-07.
  29. ^ http://mail.monorails.org/pdfs/INNOVIA%20300.pdf Bombardier Innovia 300 Technical Sheet
  30. ^ "Bombardier named systems supplier of the year - INNOVIA Monorail 300 system and CITYFLO 650 technology are winners in Sao Paulo". Purchasing B2B. Purchasing B2B. Archived from the original on 2015-07-13. Retrieved 2015-07-06.
  31. ^ "INNOVIA Monorail 300 System: a mass transport solution for the megacity of São Paulo" (PDF). CG/LA Infrastructure, Inc. CG/LA Infrastructure, Inc. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2020-08-15.
  32. ^ "URBAN MONORAIL TRACK". Monorail Australia. The Monorail Society.
  33. ^ "เลื่อนเปิดบริการ สายสีเหลือง-สายสีชมพู เซ่นพิษโควิด". ฐานเศรษฐกิจ. Archived from the original on 2022-12-25. Retrieved 26 December 2022.
  34. ^ a b "BEMร้องขอค่าชดเชย ชี้รายได้หด/หลัง'สายสีเหลือง'วิ่ง". www.naewna.com (in Thai). 2021-03-22. Retrieved 2021-11-01.
  35. ^ "[Realist Post] อัพเดตสายสีเหลือง เตรียมเสนอ รฟม.อนุมัติเพิ่มส่วนต่อขยาย 2 สถานี เชื่อมรถไฟฟ้า 3 สาย". Facebook.
  36. ^ "รถไฟฟ้า"สายสีเหลืองส่วนขยาย"ส่อแววแท้ง!". Facebook.
  37. ^ "MRTA cancels expansion plan for Yellow Line". nationthailand. 2023-10-03. Retrieved 2024-08-22.
  38. ^ "ระทึก! ล้อรถไฟฟ้าสายสีเหลืองหลุดตกใส่แท็กซี่ เคราะห์ดีไม่มีคนเจ็บ".
  39. ^ "Govt seeks free rides after Pink Line fault". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 2023-12-26.
  40. ^ "'รอ 55 นาทีต่อขบวน' รถไฟฟ้าสายสีเหลืองปรับเวลาเดินรถหลังล้อหลุด รมว.คมนาคมเรียกถกด่วน เตรียมคาดโทษตัดสิทธิ์ผู้รับสัมปทาน".
  41. ^ "เปิดปกติ! รถไฟฟ้าสายสีเหลือง แจ้งวันนี้ (4 ม.ค. 67) บริการฟรี ปรับความถี่เป็น 15 นาทีต่อขบวน".
  42. ^ Limited, Bangkok Post Public Company. "Yellow Line service suspended after parts fall onto street". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 2024-03-30. {{cite news}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  43. ^ Limited, Bangkok Post Public Company. "Yellow Line resumes limited services with fare discount". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 2024-03-30. {{cite news}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  44. ^ Limited, Bangkok Post Public Company. "Power cut at Hua Mak causes delays". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 2024-03-30. {{cite news}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  45. ^ Limited, Bangkok Post Public Company. "Yellow Line temporarily closes six stations". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 2024-03-30. {{cite news}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  46. ^ Limited, Bangkok Post Public Company. "Yellow Line track improvement to take months". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 2024-03-31. {{cite news}}: |last= has generic name (help)
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