image source, State Railways of Thailand
Changing Bang Sue Central Station’s sign to royal-given name The ‘Bangkok Apiwat Central Station’, valued at over 33 million baht, has sparked criticism over the desirability of using public tax money by State Railways of Thailand (SRT): It is the latest case at Bang Sue Central Station. Before the official opening ceremony program in 2023
One of the satirical images shared by online social media users is the sign image of Bang Sue Grand Station which calls for a budget of more than 33 million and the image of an old Thai train. Parked next to the Malaysian train in a modern and newer form at the Padang Besar Railway Station in Malaysia is one of the views of Thais on this matter.
Bang Sue Central Station It is the largest station in Southeast Asia. The total area of approximately 2,325 rai supports a variety of railway systems. It comprises a maintenance shop, locomotive garage, train preparation area, train storage area and an area for future commercial development.
Bang Sue Central Station Trial opening for service with Red Line suburban train in August 2021 before fully open from 29 November 2021. For long distance trains AND ordinary trains SRT hopes to move stations to origin and destination at the central station have not yet occurred. Due to objections and availability of various station and train systems
It has been running for more than a year, helping to connect the journey from the suburbs to the city of Bang Sue. The red line train has more than 4.5 million passengers since the opening date (November 2021-November 2022), the highest total passenger volume since the commercial opening i.e. Krungthep Apiwat station. (Bang Sue Central Station) with over 1.6 million passengers.
However, in the midst of the gradual opening of the suburban electric train but also counted as the central station of Bang Sue Since the opening of the business, many problems have been encountered. both in terms of quality connection between internal spaces Including unsuitable commercial development areas.
BBC Thai explores the problems of Bang Sue Central Station, the ‘Flag’ project of the State Railways of Thailand. with a construction budget of over 34,000 million baht
Water leak during test run
In August, during the start of the service trial, social media users posted messages, pictures and clips on granite pavement and floors in the passenger concourse inside Bang Sue Grand Station at the entrance and exit. and inside the bathroom which encountered a problem with water seeping into the floor
The SRT clarified that the damp was caused by rainwater outside the building which could not be drained. causing a blockage of the drain chute installed in front of the entrance-exit door This causes rainwater to flow into the building and penetrate under the granite slabs. The area inside the toilet Caused by water infiltration where the sanitary fixtures seep under the attic. While the pavement in front of the building is caused by the collapse of the layer of sand under the pavement.
The SRT said it ordered the contractor to fix it urgently. All still under structural insurance for 2 years.
Bang Sue Food Center Gate 4 with stations costing tens of millions
It has been open for service for about a month. A lifestyle Facebook page called LivingPop gave a tour of the Bang Sue Food Center Gate 4 or “CANTEEN GADGET 4” located on the 1st floor (ticket office) of Bang Sue Central Station.
Pepsi table atmosphere blue plastic chair causing different social media to express opinions Why can’t the venue be set up as the largest station in ASEAN? Causing the next day, SRT came out to clarify the image of the food center Inside Bang Sue Central Station It is only a food court set up temporarily to welcome the vaccinated. Ready to listen to the views of all sectors to further improve the service.
The next day, the tables and chairs inside the food court were replaced with upgraded chairs. And without the famous soda brand that had been set up the day before
Physical stations do not pass for people with disabilities.
After 2 months of operation, the Subcommittee Railway Station Quality Assessment Subcommittee (Red Line) and Bang Sue Grand Station and Bangkok Station Train Access Model (Hua Lamphong), a committee of agencies of the Ministry of Transportation. Evaluate the quality of Bang Sue Central Station. with an average score of 3.3, exceeding the minimum criteria for the provision of services to the public But there are many problems that need to be improved.
Starting from the structures and physical conditions to support everyone’s enjoyment. at Bang Sue Central Station when it was a vaccination center Found problems with wheelchairs for people with disabilities, such as drainage grates Ramp stops turn out to be few and far between. Including a flush toilet, broken handicapped bathroom fixtures. lighting system, etc.
image source, All public transport network partners must be able to travel (T4A).
The grate covers the moat in front of the entrance to Bang Sue Grand Station. Photos taken in January 2022
Sawang Srisom, Project Manager and Project Manager of the Mass Transit Network All Must Ride (T4A), who surveyed Bang Sue Grand Station more than a year ago. he told BBC Thai that Passenger access Inside the building may look good. But the connection from one area to another for people with disabilities needs to be improved. as well as the ascent and descent Water grids that hinder the wheelchairs that it has not yet been communicated by SRT if there have been further improvements or not
“The way to travel between old Bang Sue station is awkward in places. like going down forward you have to go very far to find a ramp. Watch out for the front wheel falling off the steel grate. if tripping occurs it may fall off from the wheelchair”.
All mass transit network project managers and planners need to be able to travel. Mention of Taling Chan and Bang Bamru Red Line Railway Station which also connects to Central Station There is a problem with passenger elevators which are not conducive to the use of disabled people.
“It has an elevator. But I don’t know what the designers thought. Because before you reach the elevator there are stairs and until now it didn’t fix it.
Signage system, signage, directions and sound announcements
Station Quality Evaluation Subcommittee Also evaluated for the improvement of Bang Sue Grand Station. provide a permanent signage system and use standard and uniform symbols throughout the system
It also recommends a sign at the platform indicating the route to the destination. so that passengers can use the service without confusion and provide announcements within station and platform levels to provide service information to passengers. along with the repair and maintenance of the original Directory tag to be in a ready-to-use condition and provide additional directory signs within the station and platforms of all stations
Changing the label to “Bangkok Apiwat Central Station” costs an average of 2,900,000 baht per character.
The big problem at the end of the year that continues into the new year, drawing criticism from politicians and social media users alike, is the price tag for the Bang Sue Central Station nameplate renovation project when Unique Engineering and Construction Company Public Company Limited has sent a letter to convey the news of the signing of a contract for the construction of a project to upgrade the nameplate of Bang Sue Grand Station to become Krungthep Apiwat Grand Station. and the emblem of the State Railways of Thailand To the directors and managers of the Thailand Stock Exchange dated December 29, 2022
a book so Specify the value of the project including VAT is 33,169,726.39 baht with documents from the operating watchdog page that it is a specific method of recruitment
The State Railway Enterprise Workers Union of Thailand (SRUT) has sent a letter to the Governor of the State Railways of Thailand. ask to review the private hiring process Because he saw that it was not urgent to use a method to hire a private individual in a specific way. that will make the railroad Waste the budget on taking on overpriced nameplate refurbishments
The SRT side came out to inform The reason why procurement needs to be opened specifically Because the nameplate design is in accordance with the regulations of the Comptroller General Department. And there is urgency, therefore, it needs to be completed as soon as possible.
At present, Bang Sue Grand Station sign and English name Bang Sue Grand Station has been installed on both sides of the station. or written in English as Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal His Majesty the King Conferred in September 2021 after the SRT applied for a royal name for the railway route. Suburban Rail System Project Red Line and Bang Sue Central Station Through the Cabinet Secretariat
State Railways of Thailand also clarified that Change of station name It is necessary to replace the existing glass wall with a new glass wall which must be specially poured. Because the original sign was installed with a steel frame that held the letters on the back. The steel frame is attached to the column which carries the weight in the building. And punch the glass wall to hold each letter. The glass wall is 10mm thicker glass, so you can’t drill new holes.
“In particular, the demolition of the (old) sign of Bang Sue Grand Station, including the demolition of the (old) glass wall and the installation of the (new) sign of Krungthep Aphiwat Central Station, including the installation of the glass wall (new) are also effected. Installation of an electric cable car (suspended harness) with a length of 6 meters, including moving the working point in the amount of 4 baskets (sets), the height of the sign is about 28 meters above ground level, the height is equivalent for a 9-story building, the weight that needs to be lifted to install more than 7 tons is a difficult job and requires special care.”
