Sanam Chai MRT station
Sanam Chai station (Thai: สถานีสนามไชย, pronounced [sā.tʰǎː.nīː sā.nǎːm t͡ɕʰāj]) is a Bangkok MRT rapid transit station on the Blue Line, located underground under Sanam Chai Road located in Bangkok, Thailand. During the excavation of the site to build the station, multiple historical artifacts were found, such as coins from the reign of King Mongkut and King Chulalongkorn. These were given to the Fine Arts Department and Museum Siam to preserve and do more research on them. An exhibition was planned to display these artifacts at concourse level under Exit 1.[1] This was opened to the public as the first museum in Thailand located underground on 27 November 2020, free of charge.[2]
สนามไชย Sanam Chai | |||||||||||
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_logo.svg.png.webp){kind=logo} MRT | |||||||||||
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| General information | |||||||||||
| Location | Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang Subdistrict, Phra Nakhon District, Bangkok, Thailand | ||||||||||
| Owned by | Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) | ||||||||||
| Operated by | Bangkok Expressway and Metro Public Company Limited (BEM) | ||||||||||
| Line(s) | MRT MRT Blue Line | ||||||||||
| Platforms | 1 island platform (5 exits, 2 elevators) | ||||||||||
| Connections | Chao Phraya Express Boat services | ||||||||||
| Construction | |||||||||||
| Structure type | Underground | ||||||||||
| Other information | |||||||||||
| Station code | BL31 | ||||||||||
| History | |||||||||||
| Opened | 29 July 2019 | ||||||||||
| Passengers | |||||||||||
| 2021 | 877,862 | ||||||||||
| Services | |||||||||||
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Design and location
Sanam Chai station is in the middle of Rattanakosin Island, or Bangkok's old town zone, which is a conservation area and has historical significance. It can be considered as the only station in the inner Rattanakosin Island (around Royal Grand Palace), and regarded as one of only four MRT stations that are recognized for their most beautiful design (consisted of Itsaraphap station, Sanam Chai station, Sam Yot station, and Wat Mangkon station).
The interior is finished under the theme of the early Rattanakosin era, as designed by expert in Thai architecture and national artist Pinyo Suwankiri. The inside is decorated with Sadom pillars (main pillar), these are etched with tiles carve into the shape of the Pikul flower sharpe, which signify prosperity, with the pillar edges adorn with blooming lotus shapes, with long curve petals leaning toward the centre, the bottom of each large petals engrave with smaller petals and coated in gold leaf. The floor and walls made of resemble the city walls. The ceiling painted with star sharpe stencils to resemble the atmosphere of the throne hall in Rattanakosin era. The station has a higher ceiling than most MRT stations along the line as the ventilation system was installed to the side of the station instead of directly above it.
Entry-exit 1 has been specifically designed by CH.Karnchang, PLC. without a roof and with specially designed escalators, in order to not obscure the view of Museum Siam located behind the exit.[3][4]
In addition to being in the middle of the Rattanakosin Island, the station is also near Wat Pho, Saranrom Park, Saranrom Palace, Museum Siam, Pak Khlong Talat, Rajini School, Wat Ratchabopit, Wat Rajabopit School, Wat Ratchapradit, etc.
Gallery
- Concourse
Thai style chandelier
City gate replica
Sadom pillars
Ticket vending machines
Future space planned for artifact exhibition
Exit 2
Platform for services toward Lak Song.
