For the second edition of Coconuts Bangkok’s guides for tourists in the Thai capital and beyond, we want to get you on track to explore the city like locals would: via the extensive inner-city railway service.
This time around, we’re deconstructing the new and fabulous MRT Pink Line to give you an idea of what you can expect to find and do in and around its 30 stations.
If you missed it, don’t forget to check out last week’s dos and don’ts for first-time tourists in Thailand.
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The MRT Pink Line launched just a few weeks ago, allowing people to commute from Khae Rai all the way to Min Buri. With more stations now available for convenience, and not to mention less traffic jams in places where the stations were constructed, I decided to see what’s worth highlighting if you’re feeling adventurous.
So I put on my best Lyle Lanley impression yet again, and got on the monorail.
This is the second skytrain line to launch this year after the Yellow Line (we also wrote a Yellow Line guide in the wake of its launch, so check that out if you’re still hankering to explore some more of the city).
Where? The MRT Pink Line starts from the Nonthaburi Civic Center station on Ratthanthibet road and stretches all the way to Min Buri. The line stretches over 34.5 kilometers and comprises 30 stations.
When and how? Trains run from 6am to 10pm. NOT MIDNIGHT like the BTS lines! Fares run from THB15 to THB45. However, the Pink Line is undergoing its trial run period which will end on Jan. 2, 2024. So, in the meantime, all rides aboard the Pink Line are free.
How often? A digital display showed trains arriving every 8-10 minutes or so.
How fast does it go? This genuine, bonafide and electrified ride feels as fast as an overhead BTS train. But you can hear its Bombardier Innovia Monorail 300’s IGBT inverters kick it up a notch, so be sure to hang on to something.
The stations
Nonthaburi Civic Center
At one end of the line, the Makut Rommayasaran Park is within walking distance. Come here for a 10 minute jog or walk along the vast greenery amid the polluted air.
Got any criminal matters to file within the area? The Nonthaburi Provincial Court lies on the other side of the park.
Esplanade’s Rattanathibet branch is one of the many, many malls you can shop around in this city. The mall is located right next to the station, so if you’re not bored hanging around at shopping centers with chums then come here for some quick eats and catch a movie or two in an all too familiar setting.
This station links up with the MRT Purple Line, which serves the north-western area of Bangkok that goes from Khlong Bang Phai in Nonthaburi and all the way to Bangkok’s Bang Sue district. So keep that in mind if you’re thinking of going further away from the Bangkok city center.
Khae Rai
The Central Chest Institute of Thailand is located south from Khae Rai station. This specialized hospital is great for patients in need of treating all sorts of cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases.
Sanambin Nam
Its not exactly within walking distance, but a 5-minute drive from the Sanambin Nam station can take you to the Bangkok Mental Health Hospital where its friendly staff offer treatment programs for depression, anxiety, PTSD, ADHD, schizophrenia and more.
Samakkhi
Shop at the Pak Kret district flea market for all things cheap and second hand. The market is a 5-minute walk from the station.
Royal Irrigation Department
The Royal Irrigation department gets its own train station for convenience. Now that the Pink Line is complete, visit the Royal Irrigation Department Museum and take a gander at some of the ancient machinery used in dredging large rivers.
Yaek Pak Kret
Play some futsal at the nearby Hattrick Pak Kret soccer field. Walk further east and enjoy some Korean chicken at the secluded MONO+MONO or chill out with some coffee at the Canvas Cafe.
Pak Kret Bypass
Big C’s Chaeng Watthana 2 branch is located right next to the station. You can also head over to Weasel Coffee for a delightfully relaxing atmosphere.
Love badminton? The Skyville Badminton courts are nearby for you to hit some shuttlecocks with your mates.
Chaeng Watthana – Pak Kret 28
This station is located right in front of, you guessed it, another mall – the Central Changwattana department store. Shop to your heart’s content, even though we think there might be better things to explore other than a mall but we can’t tell you what to do.
Si Rat
Near Si Rat station, you can opt to stay in the nearby and best for value Koo Hotel from all the exploring you’ve been doing so far.
You may recently have heard that phat kraphao placed 3rd in a prestigious food travel guide, but if you’re looking for some more delectable local dishes, the family-run Mueang Thong Pork Knuckle Rice street food restaurant is highly recommended by many locals who love their pork knuckle dish.
Muang Thong Thani
Concert goers rejoice! Gone are the days where you’d have to suffer through the godawful traffic jams when taking taxis or shuttle buses to get to the biggest high-profile concerts in Thailand. The station will prove especially useful as you can now get to the area’s multiple venues, such as Impact Arena and Thunder Dome.
Foreigners can also benefit from this as the station provides easy access to the Immigration Bureau.
This station includes two mini stations on a separate platform – one leads to the aforementioned Impact Arena and the other to Lake Muang Thong Thani.
Chaeng Watthana 14
Here you can opt to go to yet another Big C branch, this one being the Chaengwathana 1 (Laksi) branch. You can also dine at local street food resto Kut Phochana Bistro, or enjoy some refreshing craft beers during this blazing winter season at Beer Home Bar & Gallery.
There’s also a nearby branch of the Manoon PetShop for those who love their puppers and kitties.
Government Complex
This station is home to a plethora of government offices and military bases including the special investigation department, consular affairs department, the administrative court, the central tax court, the Bangkok North Municipal Court, and the justice ministry. So no, not exactly for tourists.
However, nerdy tourists might be tempted to know that the Administrative Court houses the Administrative Court Museum on the second floor, where anybody can learn over 100 years worth of history behind Thailand’s judicial system.
National Telecom
Although not quite close to the station, commuters can marvel at the architecture of the National Telecom HQ.
Lak Si
Lak Si station is interchangeable with the SRT Dark Red Line as part of the Suburban Railway system.
You can also drink a couple of pints, enjoy some live band music, and play pool at the nearby Lynk Laksi bar.
Rajabhat Phranakhon
This station is located near the Phranakhon Rajabhat University. Not much here for tourists, I’m afraid.
Wat Phra Sri Mahathat
Take a tour and make alms at the big Wat Phra Sri Mahathat temple, recognizable by its large white pagoda.
Commuters living in the city center will most likely get to this station first as it is connected to the existing green BTS skytrain line of the same name.
So, if you need to head back to Siam via trains, this is the station you need to remember.
Ram Inthra 3
Go for a few rounds of golf at the Royal Thai Army Sports Center nearby with affordable prices, or watch some combat sports at the New Lumpinee Boxing Stadium.
If you happen to be a gamer and are looking for specs to play Baldur’s Gate 3, then head on over to the IHAVECPU store nearby for all your PC gaming needs.
You can also take a taxi to reach the privately-funded Peuan Deratchan Zoo where you can learn about 40 species of birds and reptiles.
Lat Pla Khao
Another Big C supermarket, Big C Extra Ram Inthra, is located right next to the station. If you want to shop and eat local, here’s another supermarket to venture through.
Vacharaphol
Thailand needs more green spaces, and the Vachara Phirom Park offers commuters another brilliant green space for biking and jogging. The public park also features a dog-friendly area where dog owners can run and play fetch with their canine companions.
Railway officials plan to interchange the Vacharaphol station with the planned BMA Grey Line with routes that run all the way from Vacharaphol to Thong Lor.
Outer Ring Road – Ram Inthra
Fashion Island, another big mall worthy of note, becomes easier to travel to via this station. Known as one of the biggest malls in the city, there’s a lot to marvel at its sheer size, whether by shopping through over its 500 retail stores, taking pictures of its historic amusement park, taking a walk through its European-inspired Grand Station area, or joining in skaters at the top of the Promenade Mall, an extension of Fashion Island.
Min Buri Market
Home cooked meals and fresh ingredients await at the very local Min Buri Market. Lots of vendors sell all kinds of food at very affordable prices. With the opening of the Min Buri Market station, commuters can now easily explore the spot. Be sure to get there early as most vendors close up shop around 6pm.
Min Buri
The station will serve as an interchange with the upcoming MRT Orange Line.
Related
Explore much more Bangkok aboard the new Yellow Line monorail
