Bangkok’s MRT Pink Line services have been temporarily halted following a decision by Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit. The suspension, effective from noon on Sunday (Dec 24), comes after a conductor rail dislodged and fell near the Samakkhi Station early in the morning.
The decision to suspend services was made in consultation with related agencies, including the Department of Rail Transport (DRT), Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA), and Northern Bangkok Monorail Company Limited (NBM). The primary concern is passenger safety, as the falling rail struck power lines near a market at the Royal Irrigation Department, causing damage but no injuries.
Services on 23 stations of the Pink Line, from Chaeng Wattana to Minburi, are expected to resume today (Dec 25). However, seven stations from Nonthaburi Civic Centre to Pak Kret Bypass will remain closed for a week, allowing the DRT to conduct thorough inspections.
Suriya stated that future incidents will incur penalties as per the contractual terms and conditions for train operations. Preliminary investigations suggest that soil particles on a system inspection vehicle might have contributed to the rail’s dislodgement. (NNT)
