Silom Line

BTS Silom Line สายสีลม
EMU-B3 at Talat Phlu Station
Overview
Owner	Bangkok Metropolitan Administration
Locale	Bangkok
Termini	National Stadium Bang Wa
Stations	14 (operational) 14 (planned)
Color on map	Dark Green
Service
Type	Rapid transit
System	BTS Skytrain
Operator(s)	Bangkok Mass Transit System Public Company Limited
Depot(s)	Mo Chit Depot (shared with  BTS ) Khu Khot Depot (shared with  BTS ) Bang Wa Depot
Rolling stock	Siemens Modular Metro EMU-A1: 35 four-car trains Siemens Bozankaya EMU-A2: 22 four-car trains CNR Changchun Railway Vehicles EMU-B1: 12 four-car trains CNR Changchun Railway Vehicles EMU-B2: 5 four-car trains CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles EMU-B3: 24 four-car trains
Daily ridership	926,294 ( BTS  and  BTS ) 30 August 2024
History
Opened	5 December 1999 (1999-12-05)
Last extension	8 February 2021 (2021-02-08)
Technical
Line length	13.09 km (8.13 mi)
Character	Fully elevated
Track gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge
Electrification	750 V DC third rail
Operating speed	80 km/h (50 mph)
Signalling	Former: Siemens Trainguard LZB700M fixed block ATC under ATO GoA 2 (STO) Current: Bombardier CITYFLO 450 moving block CBTC ATC under ATO GoA 2 (STO), with subsystems of ATP, ATS and CBI
Route map National Stadium  BTS  ( Khu Khot – Kheha ) Siam Ratchadamri  MRT : Si Lom ( Lak Song – Tha Phra (via Bang Sue) ) Sala Daeng Chong Nonsi Saint Louis Surasak Si Rat Expressway Saphan Taksin Chao Phraya River Krung Thonburi  BTS   SRT  (planned): (Hua Lamphong )  MRT  (planned): ( Khlong Bang Phai – Rat Burana ) Wongwian Yai Pho Nimit Talat Phlu SRT Maeklong Railway ( SRT  planned): (Maha Chai ) Wutthakat Bang Wa  MRT : ( Lak Song – Tha Phra (via Bang Sue) ) Light Depot

The Elevated Train in Commemoration of HM the King's 6th Cycle Birthday 2nd line, also known as Silom Line, is one of the rapid transit lines of the BTS Skytrain System in Bangkok, Thailand.The line runs eastward from National Stadium Station in Pathum Wan District over Rama I Road and interchanges with the Sukhumvit Line at Siam station, then turns southward, following Ratchadamri, Si Lom, Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra and Sathon Roads to Taksin Bridge where it crosses the Chao Phraya River to the Thonburi side of Bangkok and Wong Wian Yai. It continues west along the Ratchapruek Road before it terminates at Bang Wa Station in Phasi Charoen District.

The line was first opened on 5 December 1999, along with the Sukhumvit. Both lines are operated by the Bangkok Mass Transit System Public Company Limited under a 30-year concession from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration. When it opened, the line ran from National Stadium to Saphan Taksin stations covering a total distance of 6.5 km (4.0 mi) with 7 stations. Sukhumvit Line is one of the main arteries of the Bangkok Mass Rapid Transit System with 900,000 daily passengers per day (combined with the Sukhumvit Line).

History

Original plan

The original route of the Silom line ran from BTS W2 station over Rama I Road, then turned right towards Ratchadamri and Si Lom roads. Instead of turning left at the Silom-Naradhiwas junction, the line went straight. After exiting BTS S4 station, the line turned left at the Surasak junction, then right at the Sathorn-Surasak junction, continuing for 500 meters and terminating at BTS S5 station. The depot for both lines was initially located at Lumphini Park. However, due to public backlash, it was relocated to the former site of the Northern Bus Terminal (also known as Mo Chit Bus Terminal) near Mo Chit station on the Sukhumvit Line. Several changes were made during the construction as follows:

• W2 station was removed from the plan
• CEN station was moved from the west side of Chaloem Phao junction to the west side.
• S2 station was changed from an island platform to side platforms
• S3 station has been moved from the west side of the Silom-Naradhiwas junction on Si Lom road to the middle of Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra Road, in front of Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra Soi 3.
• S4 station has been moved from between Si Lom Soi 19 and Pramuan junction on Si Lom Road to the east side of the Embassy of Myanmar on Sathorn Road.
• S4 station will be built at a later date
• One station has been added 200 meters west of the Sathorn-Surasak junction and has taken over the S5 station code.
• The original S5 station's code has been changed to S6.
• S6 station will be a temporary station, which will be demolished once the extension to the Thonburi side of Bangkok is complete.

Extensions

Wongwian Yai Extension

On 18 October 2005, with no approval from the central government forthcoming, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) decided to fund and complete the 2.2 kilometers (1.4 mi) Silom Line route extension to Krung Thon Buri and Wongwian Yai Stations. Construction began on 13 December 2005 with completion originally expected within two years for a late 2007 opening. However, problems with the tendering and installation of a new Bombardier open signalling system repeatedly pushed back the schedule. The extension finally opening on 15 May 2009. However, the single platform Saphan Taksin station which has only one track, has caused repeated delays during rush hour. In 2012, the BMA announced plans to demolish Saphan Taksin station in the future. There are now plans to construct new platforms and remove the bottleneck and keep the station which provides an important link between river boats. The plan includes redesigning the road bridges either side of the viaduct to fit the new station.

Bang Wa Extension

The third extension to the network, a 5.3 km (3.3 mi), a four station extension from Wongwian Yai to Bang Wa in Phasi Charoen District began construction in the 2nd quarter of 2011, with a deadline of the end of 2012. Only the stations had to be constructed as the viaduct had been completed some years prior. However, construction was delayed for many months by the Bangkok floods of late 2011. It eventually opened in stages. Pho Nimit opened on 12 January 2013, Talat Phlu opened on 14 February 2013, with the last two stations opening on 5 December 2013. The extension was initially operated by a separate six-car shuttle service due to the absence of a turnout between Wongwian Yai and Talat Phlu stations. The remaining two stations Wutthakat and Bang Wa were opened on 5 December 2013.

Saint Louis station

Saint Louis station under construction in 2020.

In 2018, it was decided to finally build the missing Saint Louis station (originally named Sueksa Witthaya), the EIA was finalised in March 2019. Construction of the station began in August 2019 and by the end of 2019 had reached 25% progress. By August 2020, construction had reached 50% but was 30% behind schedule due to COVID related delays. The station was opened on 8 February 2021.

Taling Chan Extension (future)

After the opening of Wutthakat and Bang Wa stations 5 December 2013, the BMA announced a new proposal to further extended the Silom Line by 7 km (4.3 mi) from Bang Wa station, by six stations to Taling Chan. At Taling Chan it would connect with the SRT Light Red line.

A public hearing was held in 2015. Three route options were considered, with construction intended to start in 2017. Part of the basis for this further extension by the BMA is that it would provide proximate access to the Southern Bus Terminal. The BMA Transport and Traffic Office completed an economic evaluation of the extension in October 2018 which found a cost benefit ratio of 2.37. The study recommended that an EIA be completed in 2019 but this was delayed.

Once the extension to Taling Chan is built the BMA has canvassed the possibility of a further future extension north to connect with the MRT Purple Line at Rattanathibet Road.

Code	Name		Planned Opening	Platform Type	Transfer
	English	Thai
↓ Continue from Bang Wa ↓
	Bang Waek	บางแวก	TBA	Side
	Bang Cheauk Nang	บางเชือกหนัง		Side
	Bang Phrom	บางพรม		Side
	Intharawat	อินทราวาส		Side
	Borommaratchachonnani	บรมราชชนนี		Side
	Taling Chan	ตลิ่งชัน		Side	Connecting station to •  SRT  •  MRT  (future) • SRT Southern Line

Yot Se Extension

Silom Line is planned to be extended by two stations west from National Stadium to link with the SRT Dark Red line at Yot Se station. However, no time frame for this extension has been announced and this section of the SRT Dark Red Line will not be built until after 2022.

Originally, the plan was to extend the Silom Line west from National Stadium into Chinatown, then north to Democracy Monument where it would then run west to Rattanakosin Island and Sanam Luang, tunnel under the river to the Thonburi side before terminating at Phran Nok. However, this plan was shelved back in 2009 and much of this route has been replaced by alignment changes to the MRT Orange line which is under construction.

Code	Name		Planned Opening	Platform Type	Transfer
	English	Thai
↓ Continue from National Stadium ↓
	Yot Se	ยศเส	TBA	Side	Connecting station to  SRT

Opening timeline

Date	Project	Notes
5 December 1999	Bangkok Transit System	Full commercial service was commenced from National Stadium to Saphan Taksin stations along with the Sukhumvit Line.
15 May 2009	Wongwian Yai Extension	Service extended to Wongwian Yai station.
14 May 2010		Silom Line was closed from 17.00 onwards due to 2010 Thai military crackdown.
29 May 2010		Resumed normal service.
12 January 2013	Bang Wa Extension	Shuttle service has been deployed between Wongwian Yai and Pho Nimit stations. with 3+3 car trains.
14 February 2013		Shuttle service extended to Talat Phlu station.
5 December 2013		Full commercial service was commenced from National Stadium to Bang Wa stations.
22 May 2014		Silom Line operated with limited hours from 6:00 to 21:00 due to the curfew, which was a result of the 2014 Thai coup d'état.
28 May 2014		Service hours were extended to 06.00-23.00
14 June 2014		Resumed normal service.
17 October 2020		Silom Line was temporarily closed from 15.00 due to the 2020–2021 Thai protests.
18 October 2020		Chong Nonsi, Surasak, Krung Thon Buri, and Wongwian Yai stations were temporarily closed due to the protests from 14.30
8 February 2021	BTS S4 station	Saint Louis station was opened between Chong Nonsi and Surasak stations.

Stations

Further information: List of rapid transit stations in Bangkok

Code	Station Name		Image	Opened	Platform Type	Transfers	Notes
	English	Thai
	National Stadium	สนามกีฬาแห่งชาติ		5 December 1999 (1999-12-05)	Side
	Siam	สยาม			Stacked Island	Cross-platform interchange with  BTS
	Ratchadamri	ราชดำริ			Side
	Sala Daeng	ศาลาแดง			Side	Connecting station to Si Lom for  MRT
	Chong Nonsi	ช่องนนทรี			Side	Connecting station to Sathorn for Bangkok BRT via Chong Nonsi Skywalk
	Saint Louis	เซนต์หลุยส์		8 February 2021 (2021-02-08)	Side		Infill station
	Surasak	สุรศักดิ์		5 December 1999 (1999-12-05)	Side
	Saphan Taksin	สะพานตากสิน			Side (single)	Connecting station to Sathorn Pier for; •  Mine Smart Ferry  •  CHAOPHRAYA EXPRESS	The station will be closed for upgrading into a dual-platform configuration
	Krung Thon Buri	กรุงธนบุรี		15 May 2009 (2009-05-15)	Side	Connecting station to  BTS
	Wongwian Yai	วงเวียนใหญ่			Side	Connecting station to; •  MRT , via 270-metre underground walkway (under construction) •  SRT  (future)
	Pho Nimit	โพธิ์นิมิตร		12 January 2013 (2013-01-12)	Side
	Talat Phlu	ตลาดพลู		14 February 2013 (2013-02-14)	Side	Connecting station to; • Ratchaphruek station for Bangkok BRT •  MRL  (south section; future)
	Wutthakat	วุฒากาศ		5 December 2013 (2013-12-05)	Side	Connecting station to; • Mae Klong Railway (Wongwian Yai - Mahachai) •  SRT  (future)
	Bang Wa	บางหว้า			Side	Connecting station to; •  MRT  • Khlong Phasi Charoen Boat Service

Rolling stock

Rolling stocks of Silom Line

EMU-A1 approaching Sala Daeng station

EMU-A2 approaching Chong Nonsi station

EMU-B1/B2 turn around outside of Bang Wa station

EMU-B3 approaching Bang Wa station

Operation

Saphan Taksin station is the only single-platform station in Bangkok Mass Rapid Transit system, causing a bottleneck on the Silom Line. This prevents increasing the train frequency to more than every 3 minutes and 45 seconds.

The Silom Line operates from 06:00 to 24:00 every day with some through-running trains to/from Mo Chit station on the Sukhumvit Line.

Headways

Silom Line headway
Time	Headway (Minutes:Seconds)
Monday - Friday
06:00 - 07:00	06:00
07:00 - 09:00	03:45
09:00 - 17:00	06:00
17:00 - 20:00	03:45
20:00 - 22:00	06:00
22:00 - 24:00	08:00
Saturday to Sunday and Public Holiday
06:00 - 09:00	07:00
09:00 - 21:00	05:40
21:00 - 22:00	07:00
22:00 - 24:00	08:00

Route map

Gallery

Panorama View of Royal Bangkok Sports Club from Ratchadamri station.

• 
  Viaduct of Silom Line at Pathumwan Skywalk.
• 
  View of Pathumwan Skywalk from National Stadium station.
• 
  View of the viaducts of the Silom Line (left) and the Sukhumvit Line (right) from Erawan shrine.
• 
  Sala Daeng junction with the viaduct of Silom Line and Thai-Japanese bridge.
• 
  Linkage point between Silom Line and MRT Blue Line at Sala Daeng station.
• 
  Chong Nonsi Skywalk, linkage point between Silom Line and BRT.
• 
  Sharp curve before Chong Nonsi station with Chong Nonsi Skywalk in the background.
• 
  Construction of Saint Louis station (formerly known as Sueksa Witthaya station)
• 
  EMU-A2 outside of Saphan Taksin station.
• 
  Outside of Krung Thon Buri station.
• 
  View of Sathorn Central Business District from Wongwian Yai station.
• 
  EMU-B1/B2 (left) and EMU-B3 (right) at Bang Wa station.
• 
  EMU-B3 turns around outside of Bang Wa station.
• 
  Bang Wa depot. The only depot on the Silom Line

See also

• Mass Rapid Transit Master Plan in Bangkok Metropolitan Region
• BTS Skytrain
• Sukhumvit Line
• MRT (Bangkok)
• MRT Blue Line
• MRT Brown Line
• MRT Grey Line
• MRT Light Blue Line
• MRT Orange Line
• MRT Pink Line
• MRT Yellow Line
• Airport Rail Link (Bangkok)
• SRT Light Red Line
• SRT Dark Red Line
• Gold Line (Bangkok)
• Bangkok BRT

External links

• Airport Rail Link, BTS, MRT & BRT network map