Tram Queries & Comments

[Pas]

I wonder whatever happen to the Bangkok Tram project which was proposed by ex governor Bichit during his term in office. Some questions come to mind:

Has this project passed the feasibility study stage and gone through a formal Environmental Impact Assessment?

What is the likelihood of this project being revived soon given the changing economic climate and the government is now committing itself (at least the political platform it stands anyway) to further development of mass transit systems in Bangkok over the next 6 years?

Also, are there any other alternative mass transit schemes proposed to service the growing Rama III area?

[Wisarut]

Khun pas,

It seem to me that the Rama III extension (from Tawandaeng
Beer Hall) will become the SOutehrn Ring part of the Blue line
if MRTA want to turn the Blue line into the Ring Line along
Ratchadaphisek (almost) ... The otehr section (Sathon Thanee -
Tawandaeng Beer Hall will become a part of Airport Link accordign to the 2023 masterplan ... the section whcih needs a giant cable bridge to link from Tawandaeng Beer Hall to Bang Na Intersection via Bang Krachao.

EVEN though BA want the Airport link to go along Onnut Road
so as to ehad into the Northern Terminal .... The Masterplan states explicitly that "Skytrain Link to the Airport must go along Bangna Trat Highway and go to the SOuthern terminal FirST before endign up at the Northern Terminal." The link from Sathon to Bangna will enable Skytrin link to make a direct link with CBD area .... but BMA just concern about the voters in the suburbs than those businessmen as well as those foreigners within CBD area .... who cannot vote .....

[Pas]

I am interested in the tramway project proposed for Ratanakosin Island. I wonder if it follows the original tramline for this area.
Here's some more details (translated from an article in Siam Rath magazine 1998)

The Ratanakosin Tram project was mooted back in the days when Chamlong Srimuang was the governor of Bangkok (not sure if Bhichit's proposed tram include any part of the route). The tram route cover some 3km of tracks with 9 stops, the stops are numbered as follow:

1st Stop - Sao Ching Cha (Giant Swing).. tram running along Bamrungmuang Rod pass many important places like Giant Swing, Bangkok City Hall, Wat Suthat - there is a 380m interval to the next stop

2nd Stop - Interior Ministry
the line continues to 3rd Stop, pass Ministry of Defence, Saphan Chang Rong See (over Khlong Lod), then Rachinee Rd, Wat Rachapradit, Wat Rachabopit and end at Saphan Hok before continue to the next stop - this section is 560m long.

3rd Stop - Sararom Palace - the line continues along Bamrungmuang Rd then Sanam Chai Rd pass the Land Dept then "Clock Tower" - 300m interval

4th Stop - Wat Pho - continues to Tai Wng Rd, Pisalsima Fort - 180m interval

5th Stop - Ta Tien, running along Maharaj Rd, pass the Royal Grand Palace

6th Stop - Ta Chang Pier - tram continue pass the palace & Silpakorn University to Tha Prajan Pier - this section is 190m long

8th Stop - Ta Phrajan Pier - pass Thammasat Uni, Wat mahathat - this section is approx 450m

9th Stop - Sanam Luang - pass Royal Institute of Silpakorn Uni - this section cover some 240-300m

7th Stop - Grand Palace - continue along Na Phra Lan Rd, Lak Muang Rd, pass Visetchaisri Gate, Wat Phra Srirattana sassadaram, Civil Court, Ministry of Defence, 320m interval between the last stop.

Then the tram run the full loop, back to 2nd stop and then the 1st stop where it terminates.
Overall there are many historically important places covered along this route, however it's more a scenic tram route than anything else. And although it's a good idea to reduce vehicle presence in this important historical area I am quite sceptical that many people will use the system..
To reduce car dependency I think its necessary to introduce traffic restrictions to this area (either that or build more underground carparks) with traffic calming measures, upgrading of footpath and build more bicycle lanes

[admin]

The 1996 proposal for tram-like busses is here:
http://www.2bangkok.com/2bangkok/Tram/routes.shtml#1996

[The Enforcer!]

Hey Guys,

Recall the original project but are you saying it has been revived?

The Enforcer!

[Wisarut]

Khun Pas,


Have you been to Archetecute Library of Chulalongkorn U. yet?
If so, you should be able to locate the book about Bangkok TYram around Rattanakosin Island project .... IN DETAILS!

[Pas]

Thanks Khun Wisarut. I'll have to check it out

[tram1]

Can someone on the forum translate the subject from Thai to English,
I would like to know more on the photos . I realise it was posted on another forum but linked to this one.
tram1

[tram1]

It seems that some clips are from an early period like about 1910 as they are same ones on my film of Bangkok Tramways

[admin]

Wisarut comments on the tram film: "For the case of the capture from "Take a ride on a tram through Bangkok in the 1920s", I could see the Shop "Rattana Mala" whcih now has becoem "The Old Siam Plaza" ...
For the Circle and tram, it is definitely at Talad Noy Circle ... and the towered building in Talad Noy Circle Photo is UNMISTAKEBLY "Nai Loed Building."
For the case of Japanese film of BKK Tram, It was certainly made in 1940."

When I got this clip from the film archives a couple years ago they told me they thought it was from the 1920s... I will have to check this again. I also have a tram film from a Swedish documentary in the 1920s (or so I have been told) which I will post soon.

[dick]

In some views in a film I have seen some of a depot, I thougt Bankolem it was. Still made the trammap, but is there somewhere a trackmap of any depot?

[tram1]

Only ever seen photos of depots, but I believe a saw one on a large map in the Electric Authory when I saw the General Manager some years ago and managed to obtain copys of some photos but not the map.

[tram1]

todays photos are again from 1910 film and was filmed by Denmark Company
my film showing same scene came from Denmark film archives

[GWR]

Is the David Bowie lookalike the tram controller?:-

http://www.2bangkok.com/2bangkok/Tram/docu/pdvd_014.jpg

[admin]

Tram photos from 1962
http://www.2bangkok.com/2bangkok/Tram/photos1962.shtml

Wisarut comments: Photo "1962tram2.jpg" is at Saphan Siaw (Now Pinklao Bridge had eliminated Saphan Siaw across the old City Moat)

Photo "1962tram3.jpg" is the tram that come from Saphan Dam, heading to Wat Liab

Photo "1962tram4.jpg" is probably the tram at Praram 1 Road ...