BANGKOK, 22 March 2013 Despite a call for an alteration to the pink-line train route, the Transport Minister has insisted that the construction will have to stick to the old plan.
Residents along Suwinthawong Road had asked that the pink-line train route be diverted to include Suwinthawong Road, instead of going to Minburi Market, where the population is smaller.
Transport Minister Chadchart Sittipunt said that he had looked into the project and found that the old plan would create greater benefits. Firstly, he said, it allows future expansion of the route to Romklao area, where it could connect with the Airport rail link. Secondly, the old plan allows the pink-line rail to intersect with the orange-line running between the Thailand Cultural Center and Minburi.
However, the Minister added that shuttle buses will be provided instead between Minburi station and Suwinthawong Market, which are only 400 meters apart.
As to the connection between Suwinthawong Market and Minburi Market, Mr. Chadchart said that the Ministry would have to talk with the Bangkok Governor, as the connection would pass through the BMA’s land.
