Getting to know the MRT Orange Line train

       The MRT Orange Line Project (Bang Khun Non - Thailand Cultural Center - Min Buri), or Metropolitan Rapid Transit Orange Line, is one of the Mass Rapid Transit Master Plans in Bangkok Metropolitan Region (M-MAP), with a route that supports travel within the city, along the east-west range of Bangkok. The service is divided into two parts: the Western Route, Bang Khun Non - Thailand Cultural Center, and the Eastern Route, Thailand Cultural Center - Bang Kapi - Min Buri. 

        The Thailand Cultural Center - Min Buri (Suwinthawong) project, the eastern half, is operated by a heavy rail transit system with a total distance of 22.57 kilometers. The operating route of the MRT Orange Line consists of 10 underground stations and seven elevated stations, with the following route lines:

• It starts from Thailand Cultural Center Station, which connects to the Blue Line (MRT).
• It passes along Rama 9 Road, joining Ramkhamhaeng Road, then the Lamsalee Intersection and the Ban Ma Canal area, before changing from an underground tunnel to an elevated track. 
• It continues along Ramkhamhaeng Road to the Khlong Song area at Min Buri Station, before ending at Min Buri Intersection and Suwinthawong Road. 

       As of December 2022, the progress of construction on the MRT Orange Line Project was at 98.65%. The basic reference fare was planned to start at 17 baht, with a maximum fare of 62 baht, for 12 stations or more.  However, the Ministry of Transport has a policy to help people shrink the cost of living, so it may reduce the fare range to 15-45 baht, an average of 2.5 baht/stop. 

        In the western half of the Orange Line, the Bang Khun Non - Thailand Cultural Center section consists of a total distance of 13.49 kilometers, with an entire underground runway structure, and has 11 underground stations, as follows:

• It starts at Bang Khun Non Station, which is an underground tunnel, running along the original railway to Siriraj Hospital, Siriraj Station. 
• It runs under the Chao Phraya River along Somdet Phra Pinklao Bridge, passes under the area of Ratchadamnoen Road and Sanam Luang, Democracy Monument, and goes along Larn Luang Road until reaching Yommarat intersection.
• It turns right along Phetchaburi Road until reaching Pratunam intersection, turns left under Ratchaprarop Road, goes straight to Din Daeng Triangle, and turns right under Din Daeng Road.
• It then turns left along Vibhavadi Rangsit Road, turns right through Bangkok 2, turns right, and goes under Pracha Songkhro Community to Ratchadapisek Road by passing under the Esplanade Ratchadapisek Shopping Center. 
• Finally, it connects to the Metropolitan Electric Railway Chaloem Ratchamongkhon Line at Thailand Cultural Center Station. 

       Currently, the Western Section of the Orange Line is in the process of drafting a joint venture agreement with the private sector prior to the construction, and it is expected to be completed and open for service in 2027.