MRTA to launch new pier

The Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) is set to open Phra Nang Klao Bridge Pier — which will enable commuters on the MRT Purple Line to switch to water-based transport services from Phra Nang Klao Station — by the middle of next year.

MRTA governor, Pakapong Sirikantaramas, said the city’s first boat-to-rail interchange is 50% completed and is expected to be open to the public by mid-2021.

Mr Pakapong said the pier — which was designed by a private company called Panrail (Thailand) and cost the MRTA 94 million baht to build — features a skywalk that will allow commuters from the pier to connect to the

MRT Purple Line services from Phra Nang Klao Bridge station.

“We aim to improve connectivity between boat and train commuters. In the future, commuters will be able to easily switch between boat and rail transit,” he said.

The MRTA, he said, is preparing the budget to build another interchange along the Bangkok Noi canal in Thon Buri, which will allow boat commuters to switch to the MRT Orange Line services at the planned Bang Khun Non station.

Early this year, Bang Po Pier, which is connected to Bang Pho station on the MRT Blue Line was opened.

The pier, however, was financed by Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA).