According to a skytrain forum that my wife stumbled upon (all contributions in Thai) the extension to Sukhumwit is expected to start operating in mid-2011. The plot thickens.
According to a recent statement from the Governor of Bangkok, the BTS extension should open early this year, which probably means June.
Let’s wait and see…
If the hardware is all ready, then perhaps it’s the software that is causing the delay? If I remember correctly, the trains going over the Thaksin Bridge extension (during the government propaganda test phase) had to be driven 100% manually.
Sometimes software upgrades can be more tricky than building the hardware in the first place. For instance, reprogramming an elevator system in a Bangkok office tower generally costs upwards of 100,000 Baht and involves an engineer from Japan having to fly over.
Dear Gerard,
To correct spelling for that station is “TAKSIN” , Thaksin is the former prime minister. The real cause for the delay of BTS extension is due to the prior governer. They were not allowed to start the plan, then Bangkok city by Mr.Apirak Kosayothin used their own budget to build. But the train is still the resposibility of the goverment….so it’s still delay to order. that’s all.
By ielts, Bangkok on 2010-02-01