The trial run of the Green Line rail extension between Bearing and Samut Prakan began yesterday morning after Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha pressed the launch button of the electric rail system.
Commuters can travel along the 13-kilometre extension free of charge during the trial period which lasts until April 16 next year.
The elevated extension, which covers nine stations, is an offshoot of the Sukhumvit Line of the BTS Skytrain, otherwise known as the Green Line.
It passes through Khlong Samrong, Theparak, Pu Chao Saming Phrai and Samut Prakan City Hall intersections as well as the Erawan Museum, Phraksa and Sailuad junctions.
Construction began in early 2012. One station, Samrong, was opened for service on April 3 last year.
Gen Prayut presided over the launch of the Green Line extension yesterday, at a 123-rai maintenance facility that doubles as a parking space for up to 1,200 vehicles.
After the ceremony, the PM took a ride to the next station, along with a number of cabinet ministers and local administrative officials.
The cabinet late last month approved the transfer of property of the Green Line's two extensions, from the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA).
The extensions cover the Bearing-Samut Prakan section and the Mo Chit-Saphan Mai-Khu Khot section.
Government spokesman Buddhipongse Punnakanta said the transfer of property ownership would ensure effective management, as the BMA is already responsible for supervising the Green Line between Mo Chit and Bearing stations, with BTSC contracted to operate the line.
The transfer would mean the BMA will handle the whole length of the Green Line, from Khu Khot to Samut Prakan, stretching 55.95km and covering 47 stations.
After the transfers, the BMA will shoulder the 51.785-billion-baht extension costs, he said, noting the cabinet last month also took note of City Hall's plan to seek loans to pay for the expenses.
Meanwhile, in a related development, deputy Bangkok governor Sakoltee Phattiyakul said the BMA has ordered the temporary suspension of work on the northern section of the Green Line's Mo Chit-Saphan Mai-Khu Khot extension, near Bang Khen district office.
The suspension followed last week's incident, in which a one-tonne metal beam fell on a district office building that houses a security camera system.
Fortunately, the building was only slightly damaged and no one was hurt in the incident, said Mr Sakoltee.
The incident raised concerns over safety standards at the construction site, and a review of the safety measures implemented at the site is underway, he said.
The construction may resume if the contractor passes the review, he said.