A rail-link is under construction from Bangkok’s new Suvarnabhumi International Airport to downtown Bangkok and due to open in 2009.

The rail-link will provide easy connectivity between the airport, one of Asia’s most important aviation hubs, and the City Air Terminal in Bangkok. From there, commuters will be able to travel comfortably by the subway and BTS Skytrain to many other parts of Bangkok.

Started in 2005, the rail-link is being built by a consortium of B. Grimm, Siemens and Sino-Thai Engineering and Construction, and will be owned and operated by the State Railway of Thailand (SRT). The estimated cost of the project is 25.9 billion baht.

According to the Bangkok airport’s website, the rail-link will be 28.6 km long and elevated for most of its length. Both non-stop Express services (known informally as the Pink Line) and Commuter services (the Red Line) will be operated.

Siemens Desiro trainsets, capable of speeds of up to 160 km/h, will be used, with Express journeys taking 15 minutes and Commuter trips 27 minutes.

The Express Service will be non-stop between the airport and the City Air Terminal while the Commuter Service will make six stops at various important parts of Bangkok city, including both downtown business districts and the suburbs.

The system is designed so that passengers can check-in at the City Air Terminal and have their luggage conveniently transported in the baggage compartment of the train without further handling, the source said.

Suvarnabhumi International Airport is already linked to various parts of Bangkok, its downtown areas, suburbs and numerous surrounding provinces by an excellent road network.

The rail-link will supplement the road network and make travel much more convenient as well as environmentally friendly.

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