Thailand's first unmanned monorail system opens

BANGKOK (Xinhua): Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Wednesday (Dec 16) opened the country's first unmanned monorail system in the Thai capital.

Prayut presided over the opening ceremony for the Gold Line monorail system linking three stations, namely Krung Thonburi station, Charoen Nakhon station and Khlong San station, on the Thonburi side of Bangkok.

Commuters, who are currently provided free rides until Jan 15, will pay a flat rate of 15 baht throughout the 1.72-km-long route of the Bombardier Innovia APM 300 system.

The Gold Line monorail system is expected to accommodate some 42,000 passengers daily.

The prime minister also opened Khu Khot station, the terminal of the BTS Green Line extension on Bangkok's northern outskirts.

Passengers are currently provided free rides on the BTS Green Line extension between Phaholyothin station and Khu Khot station until Jan. 1.

The Green Line extension is expected to serve some 252,000 passengers per day.