The BTS Sukhumvit Line Ha Yaek Lat Phrao Extension is a long-awaited relief project to bring crowds from Lat Phrao Intersection where many buses and vans terminate to the BTS line where many used to continue by MRT to the city, increasing peak hour loads, or by alternative transport or MRT to Chatuchak Park-Mo Chit, making the train transfer inconvenient for the short hop. Now, passengers can hop on to the BTS directly into the city, giving more options to travel by rapid transit to downtown Bangkok now.
While trains used to terminate at Mo Chit, all trains now proceed on to Ha Yaek Lat Phrao, the new terminus (for now).
Trains go pass the former overrun at regular speeds.
The platform signs have been updated for Ha Yaek Lat Phrao.
The platform information screens show the train’s destination as Ha Yaek Lat Phrao.
Boarding the train to Ha Yaek Lat Phrao.
The dynamic route map display on the CRRC Changchun EMU-B1 trains already feature the expanded map between Kheha and Khu Khot.
Departing from Mo Chit, passing by the Mo Chit depot.
The busy bus stop at Mo Chit.
The new, long Skywalk connecting The Line Chatuchak – Mochit with Mo Chit BTS Station.
A brand new CRRC Changchun EMU-B3 heading into Mo Chit depot.
Approaching the points to Mo Chit depot.
This was once upon a time an overrun for turning back trains, certainly not for trains to run at speed.
The buffer stop of the remaining siding to the depot.
Heading to Ha Yaek Lat Phrao.
Passing by Chatuchak Park.
Flying over the complicated Lat Phrao Intersection.
Passing above the Phahon Yothin MRT Station exit.
Passing by Union Mall.
Approaching Ha Yaek Lat Phrao BTS Station.
Ha Yaek Lat Phrao BTS Station is just beside Central Plaza Ladprao.
The ride from Mo Chit to Ha Yaek Lat Phrao BTS Station takes just 2 minutes, which is a significant improvement from the old method of changing trains or buses for this short but significant stretch.
To turn back towards Kheha, trains have to go forward to the current overrun to head to the other platform.
The structures of the stations ahead all the way to Khu Khot seems to have already been completed.
The new skyline of Lat Phrao.
My train heading to the current overrun (and future main line).
Waiting to head to the southbound platform.
Interestingly, rather than just getting a standard type of crossovers on a double track, there is a lot of space between the two points with a wider viaduct catering to a long track between the points, but yet seems insufficient to fit a 4-car train within this siding. I can’t think of a good reason why this was built as such aside from increasing passenger comfort at points.
The wide island platform of Ha Yaek Lat Phrao. This is the first station on the northern BTS Sukhumvit Line sector with an island platform.
The station sign of Ha Yaek Lat Phrao, including an additional sign to say that it is an interchange with the MRT, though train signs do not indicate it as such.
Heading down the escalator to the concourse. There are both upriding and downriding escalators at Ha Yaek Lat Phrao.
The wide concourse of Ha Yaek Lat Phrao.
Finally, there are both paid and unpaid areas at the new Ha Yaek Lat Phrao station, allowing everyone to walk through it, with a ticket or otherwise.
Elevators are also available at Ha Yaek Lat Phrao.
Heading out through the ticket gates.
Touching out of the brand new ticket gate at Ha Yaek Lat Phrao with my KLOOK Bangkok Sky Train (BTS) One Day Pass which gives me unlimited travel on the BTS for a whole day.
The unpaid area concourse of Ha Yaek Lat Phrao.
Ticket machines are all of the new type which accepts notes and 2 Baht coins, and is colour coded with the BTS Sukhumvit Line colour of light green.
A lot easier to get single trip tickets now.
Just like all new extensions after Wongwian Yai, the extension is built by Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) but operated by Bangkok Mass Transit System
Public Company Limited (BTSC). The Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) oversees the operation of the BTS outside Bangkok areas.
Phone booths are currently empty, and I can foresee that they will remain empty forever.
The concourse is split into an entry and exit section to better manage passenger flow.
The updated BTS Skytrain route map.
The route map features Ha Yaek Lat Phrao as an interchange with Phahon Yothin MRT Station.
The MRT Blue Line extension to Tha Phra and Lak Song is completely not updated though.
The unpaid area bypass at the concourse.
Ha Yaek Lat Phrao is connected directly to Central Plaza Ladprao by a short and wide Skywalk.
There is also a linkway to the MRT too. Hmm.
Following the sign to the MRT.
Alas, the Skywalk is not completed yet.
Passengers still have to use the old method through The One Park Ladprao and the existing MRT Skywalk to walk to the MRT station.
Heading back to the bridge.
There are both upriding and downriding escalators to the street level to connect to the MRT.
The rather unfortunate situation of having to walk to street level first to connect between Skywalks. Hopefully the new Skywalk extension will be completed quickly.
The other connection leads directly into Central Department Store.
The facade of Ha Yaek Lat Phrao BTS Station.
Heading down to the street level.
This looks familiar.
Ha Yaek Lat Phrao BTS Station from the street level.
The logos of MRTA, BTS and BMA on the station sign.
Heading back up the station.
Heading into Central Plaza Ladprao.
A pretty convenient link, I must say.
A new train logo at Central Plaza Ladprao on top of the existing MRT one.
Shopping at Central Plaza Ladprao is getting easier now.
Heading back to Ha Yaek Lat Phrao BTS Station.
Heading back into the paid area.
The viaducts leading back to Mo Chit, Siam and Kheha.
The southbound train departs from Platform 1.
Heading to board my train.
The platform information screens show the train destination as Kheha or Samrong.
As this is the off-peak period, all trains go to Kheha.
The station sign of Ha Yaek Lat Phrao.
The lit-up dynamic route map from Ha Yaek Lat Phrao to Kheha.
Crossing over Lat Phrao Road.
Crossing over the adjacent Don Muang Toll Way.
Passing by Chatuchak Park.
Bang Sue Central peeking out in the distance.
The junction to Mo Chit depot.
Seems rather sleepy during this off-peak period.
Entering Mo Chit station.
Alighting at Mo Chit for some trainspotting before heading back to the city.
Overall, an excellent 1-station early-opening extension to relieve passenger loads on this busy stretch, both by road and by MRT. Hopefully, with the future extensions to Sena Nikhom, Saphan Mai and Khu Khot, the BTS will serve this congested stretch of road even better to relieve overall traffic within the area and to Bangkok.