The Mass Rapid Transit Authority (MRTA) plans to open the underground Sanam Chai station, part of the extended Blue Line which is to be decorated like a royal hall, for temporary public display by the end of the year.
In addition, rail authorities said the extended Blue Line will be in service by early 2019.
MRTA executives on Wednesday invited the press to view the 98% complete Sanam Chai station, which is under the Rattanakosin Island ancient city area.
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Sanam Chai is special because it is decorated to resemble a royal hall from the Rattanakosin era to blend in with the Grand Palace and Wat Pho or Wat Phra Chetuphon Vimolmangklararm Rajwaramahaviharn, said MRTA chairman Yodyuth Boonyatikarn.
Pinyo Suwankiri, a national artist in the visual arts, designed the interior decor and the station, which is expected to become a tourist attraction in its own right, Gen Yodyuth said. It is unclear how long the station will be open for viewing.
The extended Blue Line section will feature four specially designed stations.
Wang Burapha station will represent Thai lifestyles, Wat Mangkon Kamalawat station will display Sino-Portuguese decor in keeping with Bangkok's Chinatown area, and Isaraphap station will resemble the architecture of Wat Hong Rattanaram Ratchaworawiharn, the MRTA chairman said.
All the extended Blue Line sections will open by October 2019 with Blue Line's Hua Lamphong-Tha Phra-Lak Song link beginning operations in February 2019, he said.
Electric railway lines including the extended Blue Line sections and the location of the riverside Sanam Chai station near Rattanakosin Island. (MRTA graphic)