BANGKOK, July 29 (Xinhua) -- Bangkok's MRT Blue Line rail system started a two-month trial runs on a new stretch since Monday, during which commuters can take a ride free of charge to the city's famous tourist attractions such as Chinatown, the Grand Palace and Temple of the Reclining Buddha.
Thai Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob attended the launching ceremony of the first train running between Hua Lamphong and Tha Phra held on Monday morning. He told media that passengers can enjoy free ride until Sept. 28.
The train running between Hua Lamphong to Tha Phra will be in service from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m everyday during the trail period and would officially open on Sept. 29, after which trains would run directly from current Blue Line to the new stretch.
Along the new stretch, Wat Mangkon station is located at Bangkok's Chinatown, a tourist attraction for street food, while Sanam Chai station lies some five-minute walk away from Temple of the Reclining Buddha and the Grand Palace.
Many Bangkok citizens, foreign tourists came to try the new stretch of Blue Line on Monday and took photos, selfies in the five new stations along it since four of them, namely Wat Mangkon, Sam Yot, Sanam Chai and Itsaraphap stations are delicately decorated, according to their surroundings and became attractions themselves.
Wat Mangkon is decorated with paintings, sculpture of Chinese dragons and Chinese red while Sanam Chai, also called by Thai media the most beautiful metro station of Thailand, is designed to assemble a Thai palace of early Ratanakosin, a period of Thai traditional art which started with the birth of the current Chakri Dynasty.
More stretches of Blue Line will open later this year and in early 2020. After opening fully next year, the Bangkok Blue Line will finally run in a loop, thus helping alleviate the severe traffic congestion in Bangkok.
