The BTS Sukhumvit Line Kheha (Samut Prakan) Extension is the latest line extension to open in Bangkok, commencing services on 6 December 2018. While the first section of the extension to Samrong opened in April 2017, breaking the BTS limits of Bangkok into Samut Prakan at the border, the latest Sukhumvit Line Kheha Extension serves the province properly, almost meeting the mouth of the Chao Phraya River to the Gulf of Thailand.
However, the Kheha Extension is serviced separately from the rest of the Sukhumvit Line. This could be due to insufficient trains to maintain the high frequency throughout the line, potential demand not being as high as the existing portions of the Sukhumvit Line, and the line is potentially only fitted with the new CBTC signalling as compared with the mixed legacy manual ATP mode and new CBTC systems on the rest of the Sukhumvit Line, needing to split the system operation boundary clearly to prevent trains from “coming into contact” just like the Joo Koon MRT collision in Singapore.
At Samrong where the Sukhumvit Line terminates before the Kheha Extension opened, trains do still terminate here and return back to Mo Chit, while passengers cross the platform to board the Kheha-bound train and vice-versa.
The incoming train from Kheha to Samrong will take the turnback siding to cross over to Platform 1 of Samrong.
The train from Kheha approaching Samrong, for Kheha.
Here, it’s a simple cross-platform interchange between the Kheha Extension and existing Sukhumvit Line.
The train to Kheha departs from Platform 1.
The platform screen doors at Samrong are not fully commissioned yet, and remain open during service.
The route map at Platform 1 featuring the Kheha Extension.
My incoming train to take me to Kheha for the first time.
After arriving passengers have alighted, the doors for the train are closed for cleaning staff to go through the train and the train operator to change ends. Not sure why this is still in place when the entire Kheha Extension runs on CBTC.
After the train operator has gone into the cab on the Kheha-end of the train, the doors are opened for everyone to board.
The updated route map inside the train, featuring the Kheha Extension.
Making a brief stop at Pu Chao.
Crossing over the Kanchanaphisek Expressway.
Passing by The Erawan Museum, a key landmark in Samut Prakan province.
Making a brief stop at Chang Erawan, or Erawan Elephant. The station is close by to The Erawan Museum.
Passing by the Royal Thai Naval Academy.
Making a brief stop at Royal Thai Naval Academy.
Royal Thai Navy ships heading in and out from the Chao Phraya River as seen from the BTS train.
Making a brief stop at Pak Nam.
Passing by the Clock Tower of the City District Office at Pak Nam Intersection.
Passing by the Samut Prakan Observation Tower & Knowledge Park.
Making a brief stop at Phraek Sa.
Passing by Robinson Lifestyle Center Samutprakan, just outside the Phraek Sa station.
Making a brief stop at Sai Luat.
Approaching Kheha.
The journey from Samrong to Kheha took 16 minutes.
The line after Kheha leads to the turnback switches and onwards to Bang Bu Depot.
After alighting all passengers, the train heads on the to turnback switches.
Crossing over to the opposing track to form a service to Samrong.
Heading back to Kheha Platform 2 to form a Samrong service.
Heading down to exit the station.
From here, passengers can connect onwards by Taxi Meter or Songthaews. There seems to be a popular Songthaew Route 36, however, I have no information on it.
The area map of Kheha BTS Station.
Heading to the fare gates to exit.
New models of fare gates are in place on the Kheha Extension.
Tapping my discounted Bangkok Sky Train (BTS) One Day Pass at the fare gate, which was really useful for exploring the ends of the BTS network. Click here to read more about how to buy discounted Bangkok train tickets.
Kheha is just a housing neighbourhood, but with this significant BTS extension, it would certainly help to alleviate congestion both around the neighbourhood and into Bangkok.
The end of the line as seen from the station. As it was a pretty far 1.2km walk to the end of the line and depot, I did not make a visit there.
From here, I headed back into the station to hopefully catch the new BTS Siemens Inspiro (EMU-A2) to be launched for peak hour services on the Kheha Extension.