A new electric rail linking Hua Lamphong, Tha Phra and Lak Song is set to open in less than three years with four stations on the route to be developed into novel cultural attractions.
The 15.9km route, an extended section of Bangkok's Blue Line subway, will connect important locations with the first rail tunnel under the Chao Phraya River, shortening the travelling time from the Hua Lamphong main station to The Mall shopping complex in Lak Song on the western side of the capital.
This section will be opened first as , said Yodyuth Boonyathikarn, chairman of the Mass Rapid Transit Authority (MRTA).
It is one of four stations to be developed into tourist attractions.
The MRTA, which oversees the city's electric rail transport, has set February, 2019 for the launch of the route, also known as the Hua Lamphong-Bang Khae section.
In October the same year, the rest of the Blue Line extension will be opened.
"We will speed up the opening dates to comply with an order under Section 44 of the interim charter," Mr Yodyuth said, referring to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha's order issued as leader of the National Council for Peace and Order to step up the electric train operation plan.
Commuters can look forward to faster transport and also new tourist attractions featuring different interior styles at the four train terminals, Mr Yodyuth said.
The construction of the Sanam Chai station is based on the vision of national artist Phinyo Suwankhiri who was inspired by royal palaces including the Grand Palace.
The decorative work is expected to be completed by the end of this year and people will soon be allowed to visit the station to see the traditional Thai art, Mr Yodyuth said.
The other three stations -- Wat Mangkon Kamalawat, Wang Burapha and Itsaraphap -- are also being built to showcase unique cultural features.
Wat Mangkon Kamalawat station, which is close to Chinatown in Yaowarat, will show off a blend of Sino-Portuguese architecture, he said.
The interior design of the Wang Burapha station, on the other hand, will reflect the lifestyle of Bangkokians in a bygone era while the design of the Itsaraphap station will be modelled on Wat Hong Rattanaram Ratchaworawihan, famous for its traditional murals on the temple's 12 pillars.
The four stations are part of a new subway route on the Hua Lamphong-Bang Khae line. Another seven stations on the line will be constructed on an elevated track, running to the Lak Song station in the Bang Khae area.
The other part of the Blue Line -- the 11.8km Bang Sue-Tha Phra route -- is also being built on the ground.
This section will boast the first loop built on the electric railway line, after the problem of the one-kilometre "missing link" for commuters travelling on the Bang Yai-Tao Pun Purple Line is solved.
Commuters are currently required to take free shuttle buses to and from Bang Sue station on the Blue Line metro.
The fast-paced construction of the Blue Line extension is expected to be followed by progress with monorail projects, sources close to the project say.