Bangkok: In an unprecedented surge, the Pink Line electric train saw a record number of 12,806 passengers yesterday, marking the highest ridership since the trial run commenced. The Department of Rail Transport reported that, on the same day, a total of 1,576,350 people utilized the rail network, with the Pink Line extension achieving its highest usage since the free public trial started on May 20, 2025.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Pichet Kunathammarak, Director-General of the Department of Rail Transport, stated that the first day of the THAIFEX Anuga 2025 event contributed significantly to this uptick in ridership. The Pink Line extension, spanning from Muang Thong Thani Station to Muang Thong Thani Lake Station, recorded its highest passenger count coinciding with the opening day of the event. The overall rail system saw a breakdown of 59,784 passengers on State Railway of Thailand (SRT) intercity trains and 1,516,566 passengers on electric trains within Bangkok and its suburbs.
The SRT intercity trains operated 210 services, transporting a total of 59,784 passengers, divided into 19,195 commercial passengers and 40,589 social passengers. The electric train system carried 1,516,566 passengers, with the Airport Rail Link serving 68,146 of them, the Red Line 35,514, the Purple Line 79,048, the Blue Line 445,934, the BTS Green Line 753,432, the Gold Line 5,888, the Yellow Line 49,224, and the Pink Line 79,048 passengers.
Mr. Pichet highlighted that the Pink Line extension, operated by the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand and Northern Bangkok Monorail Company Limited, offers free service to the public until June 16, 2025. This service is operational every day with extended hours on weekends. Over the past week, weekday ridership averaged around 2,300 passengers per day, while weekends saw about 3,000 passengers daily. The ongoing trade fair, THAIFEX Anuga 2025, hosted at the Muang Thong Thani Challenger, is expected to influence further ridership peaks, especially on May 31, 2025, a public holiday and the fair’s final day.
The Pink Line extension provides convenient access to the event via the Impact Muang Thong Thani Station, with an elevated walkway connecting directly to the Challenger building. To accommodate the increased demand, train frequency has been doubled during peak periods, ensuring efficient travel for attendees of the popular trade fair.