Rails across the river

For years, Bangkok com¬muters have faced a rushhour nightmare on the way to work or school each morning. That nightmare lasts longest in Sathorn, the capital's prime business district - and its most congested. But from today, the Skytrain is giving gridlocked commuters a key to freedom.     

The BTS extension from Saphan Taksin station to Wong Wian Yai - the first Skytrain route to venture across the river to Thon Buri - is being launched with a trial run at 5.20am before opening to the public at 8am.

Jump out of the jam

It should help ease the traffic jams along the Sathorn Road King Taksin Bridge route, the most congested road in Bangkok, says Jumpol Sumpaopol, directorgeneral of the Bangkok Traffic and Transport Department.

"We expect about 2,000 vehicles per hour during rushhour after the BTS extension opens, compared to almost 15,000 vehicles currently," says Jumpol.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva will be at the launch ceremony to wave off the first train.

The extension is expected to boost the estimated 400,000 Skytrain journeys made every day by 30,000 to 50,000.

"We are launching a campaign to encourage parents who usually drive their children to Sathorn schools to use the Skytrain instead. Parking space has been increased near the newly opened stations and shuttle buses will ferry passen¬gers to stations," says Jumpol.

Boost for Thon Buri

Supoj Saebe, 23, a company employee living in Thon Buri, says the extension is a huge boost for commuters who have to cross the Chao Phya River to get to work.

"Normally, I travel to the east bank by bus, but now I'll take the Skytrain when I'm in a hurry," he says.

Its Skytrain link to the rest of the city means that Thon Buri has become Bangkok's new hot address, and condominiums have mushroomed close to the extension's two stations to meet demand.