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Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTS)
100px
Background
Owner	Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (Bearing-Samut Prakan/Mo Chit-Saphan Mai Extension)
Locale	Bangkok, Thailand
Transit type	Rapid transit
Number of lines	2
Number of stations	30
Daily ridership	600,000[1]
Operation
Began operation	5 December 1999
Operator(s)	Bangkok Mass Transit System Public Company Limited
Number of vehicles	47
Technical
System length	30.95 km (19.23 mi)
Track gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) (standard gauge)
Average speed	35 km/h (21.75 mph)
Top speed	80 km/h (49.71 mph)
System map Legend Saphan Mai Sai Yut Lak Si Wat Phra Si 11th Infantry Reg. Bang Bua Krom Pai Mai Kasetsart Sena Nikhom Ratchayothin Satri Woranat Lat Phrao    Sukhumvit Line Mo Chit Saphan Khwai Sena Ruam Ari Sanam Pao Victory Monument    Silom Line Phaya Thai(ARL) National Stadium Ratchathewi Siam Ratchadamri Chit Lom Sala Daeng Phloen Chit Chong Nonsi Nana Sueksa Witthaya Asok Surasak Phrom Phong Saphan Taksin Thong Lo Ekkamai Krung Thonburi Phra Khanong Wongwian Yai On Nut Phothinimit Bang Chak Ratchadaphisek Punnawithi Wutthakat Udom Suk Bang Wa Bang Na Bearing Samrong Pu Chao Saming Plai Erawan Museum Navy Academy Samutprakarn City Hall Srinakarindra Prak Sa Sai Luad Keha Samutprakarn

The Bangkok Mass Transit System, commonly known as the BTS Skytrain (Thai: รถไฟฟ้าบีทีเอส rot fai fa BTS), is an elevated rapid transit system in Bangkok, Thailand. It is operated by Bangkok Mass Transit System Public Company Limited (BTSC) under a concession granted by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA). The system consists of 32 stations along two lines: the Sukhumvit line running northwards and eastwards, terminating at Mo Chit and Bearing respectively, and the Silom line which plies Silom and Sathon Roads, the Central Business District of Bangkok, terminating at the National Stadium and Wongwian Yai. The lines interchange at Siam Station and have a combined route distance of 55 km. The system is formally known as the Elevated Train in Commemoration of HM the King's 6th Cycle Birthday (รถไฟฟ้าเฉลิมพระเกียรติ 6 รอบ พระชนมพรรษา).

Besides the BTS, Bangkok's metro system also comprises the underground railway line MRT, and the elevated Suvarnabhumi Airport Link (SARL), serving several stations in the city before reaching the airport.

History[link]

Skytrain approaching Sala Daeng Station

Interior of a train.

Bangkok's first attempt at building an elevated rail network was the Bangkok Elevated Road and Train System, which was terminated in 1998 after only 10% had been completed.

The BTS system (the elevated metro system owned by BMA) was initially referred to as the Lavalin Skytrain because it was to be designed using the Vancouver SkyTrain as a model adopting the technology developed by SNC-Lavalin. Due to political interference, the concession with Lavalin was cancelled in 1992, in spite of Bangkok's chronic traffic congestion. The Thai Government focused on increasing road and expressway infrastructure in an attempt to combat congestion. However, this had less than the desired impact as the number of cars on the road increased dramatically. The lines considered under the skytrain project became later the basis for the Bangkok Metro system and interesting enough are mainly underground.

In the early 1990s, foundations for the Lavalin Skytrain were constructed in the middle of two bridges spanning the Chao Phraya river. The Taksin bridge now supports the Silom line to Thon Buri, completed in April 2009. The supports at Phra Pok Klao bridge remain unused but may be utilised as part of the MRT's future Purple Line.

Shortly after it became clear that the Lavalin Skytrain was stalled, then-governor Major-General Chamlong Srimuang asked his deputy Krisda Arunvongse na Ayutthaya to create a new feeder system with a route along Sukhumvit and Silom Rd. Krisda, who in the same period was elected governor, and his team from BMA managed to find an investor to build it. Krisda also convinced all to let the city supervise the project. The investor founded Bangkok Transit System Corporation and this company successfully financed the system and grew it from a feeder system to a full mass transit project. Siemens as supplier of the railway technology and the Thai contractor Italian Thai Development built the system for BTSC.

The "Skytrain" name was given later by the press.

Originally, the Skytrain depot was to be built underneath Lumphini Park, but due to widespread objections from Bangkok residents it was constructed on a parcel of land located along Phahonyothin Road, replacing the old Northern/Northeastern bus terminal (Mo Chit). The current depot at Mo Chit is a part of the proposed 'Bangkok Terminal' project, where a large complex comprising a new regional bus terminal, park & ride facility and other commercial development can be built directly above it.

Thanayong Public Company Limited (SET: TYONG,^[2] Thai: บริษัท ธนายง จำกัด (มหาชน)) had a 28.21% stake in BTSC when the Skytrain began, and therefore in its early days the system was sometimes referred to as the "Thanayong Skytrain".

The Skytrain system was officially opened on 5 December 1999 by Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn. It initially had lower-than-predicted ridership, with 200,000 passenger trips per day. Ticket revenue was only enough to meet the trains' operating cost, and not sufficient to service construction loans. However, the Skytrain's daily passenger numbers have steadily increased since then. On 9 December 2005, more than 500,000 single trips were made on the Skytrain in a single day for the first time. BTSC is currently planning to purchase more trains and is studying the possibility of putting 6-car trains into service. The company implemented a contactless ticketing system in 2007 named 'BTS SmartPass', and plans to allow both BTS and Suvarnabhumi Airport Link passengers to use their RFID smart cards as single ticketing system not before 2014. While, a one-ticket system for BTS and MRT will be expected by 2015.^{[3] [4]}

• 5 Dec 1999: Sukhumvit Line Mo Chit-On Nut, Silom Line National Stadium - Saphan Taksin
• 15 May 2009: Silom Line Saphan Taksin-Wong Wian Yai
• 12 Aug 2011: Sukhumvit Line On Nut-Bearing

Station layout[link]

Exterior view of National Stadium Station

The upper platform at Siam interchange station, for north- and west-bound trains

All of the system's stations are elevated and constructed on three levels.^[5] The street level provides access to the station proper via stairs and often escalators. Supporting utility equipment (generators, water tanks, etc.) are usually located at this level on traffic islands.

The first elevated level of the stations contains the ticket booths, some small kiosk-like shops and access control gates. The second level (and third at Siam station) is again accessed with stairs and escalators and contains the platforms and rails. With the exception of Siam Station, the stations follow a side platform layout. Siam Station utilizes island platforms to facilitate cross-platform interchange between the two lines. Additionally, many stations have ramps and elevators to allow passengers who use wheelchairs to access the ticketing hall and platforms from the street. The distances between doors are equal throughout the train, regardless of whether they are in the same or different cars, and the locations where the doors will be after the train has stopped are marked on the platform. The platforms are built to accommodate trains of six cars, but trains of only three or four cars are in operation. Security personnel are stationed at every platform and ticketing hall. For safety reasons, there are often signs at the escalators: "Please stand on the right of the escalator and hold the handrail".

Three Skytrain stations, Sala Daeng, Asok and Mo Chit, are interchanges with the underground MRT system. Saphan Taksin station is connected to the adjacent Sathon pier where the Chao Phraya Express Boat services call. Many stations are linked by 'Skybridges' (overhead pedestrian walkways) to neighbouring buildings and public amenities.

Consumption of food or drinks is forbidden past the ticketing gate or on the Skytrain.

Ticketing[link]

For single-trip and stored-value ticket holders fares are calculated according to distance, but adult / student / tourist passes for limited / unlimited train rides are also available. Next to the magnetic fare cards, which require replacement once every two years, the Skytrain has adopted near-field contactless technology in its ticketing system, with the intent of becoming compatible with the system presently used in the MRT.^{[citation needed]}

Stations and lines[link]

At its opening, the BTS had twenty-three stations on its two lines: seventeen on the Sukhumvit Line and six on the Silom Line, with both lines interchanging at Siam. Two and five additional stations have since opened on the Silom and Sukhumvit lines, respectively, in 2009 and 2011.

Route extension[link]

Political problems coupled with favoritism and nepotism stalled several expansion projects over the years. The government of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was accused of stalling the Skytrain extensions in order to punish Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), which was controlled by the opposition Democrat Party, in an attempt to prevent the Democrats from gaining popularity among Bangkok residents.^{[citation needed]}

In 2002 the cabinet amended a law in order to allow a private firm to finance the cost of operating the train system, while the government would take care of all the civil engineering work. On 18 October 2005, with no approval from the central government forthcoming, the BMA decided to complete the 2.2 km Silom Line route extension (S7 Charoen Nakhon & S8 Wongwian Yai) using its own budget. Construction began on 13 December 2005 with completion originally expected within a year, but problems with tendering for the signalling system repeatedly pushed back the schedule, with the extension finally opening on 15 May 2009. However, Saphan Taksin (originally designed to be only a temporary station), and the river crossing itself, has only one track, which has caused repeated delays during rush hour.^[6]

A second extension from On Nut east towards Bearing started construction in 2007, and was opened on 12 August 2011.

Further extensions have been proposed from Mo Chit north to Saphan Mai, from Bearing to east Samut Prakan, from Wongwian Yai to Bang Wa and from National Stadium west to Phran Nok. The viaduct from Wongwian Yai to Bang Wa is already built, while the other two have not started with construction yet. BMA plans to allocate 55.6 billion baht to complete the first two by 2012.^[7]

Further extension for the BTS can be summarized as follows:

• Under construction:
  • Wong Wian Yai – Pho Nimit – Ratchada-Ratchaphruek – Wutthakat – Bang Wa (terminating at Phetkasem Road) – 5.25 km. Under Construction, to open on 12 August 2013.^[8]
  • Bearing – Samut Prakan – 10.6 km Signed with Cho Kanchang, Construction started April 2012, to open on 2015.^[9]
• Planned:
  • Mo Chit – Saphan Mai – 11.4 km.
  • National Stadium – Yot Se (terminating at Bamrungmueang Road) – 6.8 km.
  • Samut Prakan (Bang Ping) – Bang Pu.
  • Bang Na – Suvarnabhumi Airport (terminating at future South Passenger Terminal of Suvarnabhumi Airport, light rail train).
  • Saphan Mai – Khlong 6.

Connectivity to other rail transit systems[link]

Bangkok rail transit system map (showing State Railway, BTS, MRT and SARL lines)

Legend ( State Railway Northern & Northeastern Lines ) ( State Railway Southern Line ) Bang Sue Junction / Bang Sue MRT Kamphaeng Phet Pradiphat Mo Chit / Chatuchak Park Samsen Saphan Khwai / Phahon Yothin Chitralada Palace (not in service) Sena Ruam (planned) / Lat Phrao Yommarat Ari / Ratchadaphisek Sanam Pao / Sutthisan Victory Monument / Huai Khwang ( State Railway Eastern Line ) Phaya Thai BTS / Phaya Thai SARL / Thailand Cultural Centre Bangkok (Hua Lamphong) / National Stadium Ratchathewi / Ratchaprarop / Phra Ram 9 Hua Lamphong / Siam Makkasan / Phetchaburi Sam Yan / Ratchadamri x20px x20px Ramkhamhaeng Sala Daeng / Si Lom Chit Lom / Hua Mak Chong Nonsi / Lumphini Phloen Chit / Ban Thap Chang Sueksa Witthaya (planned) / Khlong Toei Nana / Lat Krabang Surasak / QSNCC Asok / Sukhumvit Sathon PierSaphan Taksin Suvarnabhumi Airport Taksin Bridge Phrom Phong Krung Thonburi Thong Lo Wongwian Yai Ekkamai Phra Khanong On Nut Bang Chak Punnawithi Udom Suk Bang Na Bearing

Rolling stock[link]

The BTS Skytrain uses two variations of Electric Multiple Unit rolling stock. All operate on 1435 mm rail gauge (standard gauge). All trains have 4 doors on each side per car, an air-conditioning unit, and LCD monitors for public announcement and advertising. The power supply for all trains is at 750 V DC from the third rail.

Siemens Train[link]

The rolling stock of BTS Skytrain, in use since the opening of the line in 1999, consist of 35 Siemens Modular Metro trains from Siemens AG. All trains have 3 cars, 2 motor cars and 1 trailer on center. The Sukhumvit line employs 20 trains, and the Silom Line has 15. To increase capacity, in October 2010, Siemens agreed to provide an extra car for each train, making them up to four cars.^[10]

The Silom Line cars have been modified to support a signaling system from Bombardier Transportation since the extension from Saphan Taksin to Wong Wian Yai.

Bombardier – Changchun trains[link]

The BTSC ordered 12 new trains (12 sets of 4 cars) from Changchun Railway Vehicles Co. Ltd. based on the Bombardier MOVIA, though their design will be modified to the existing BTS's Siemens Modular Metro. The new trains were delivered in June 2010 ^[4] to serve on the Silom Line, which cannot increase train frequency because of a single track bottleneck at Saphan Taksin station, though the number of passengers increased after the Wong Wian Yai and Krung Thonburi stations were opened. These trains consist of 2 motor cars and 2 trailer cars and will feature LCD TVs for public announcements and advertising. An advanced digital voice announcement (DVA) and passenger information systems will be installed.

See also[link]

• Keeree Kanjanapas
• List of rapid transit stations in Bangkok
• List of rapid transit systems
• Bangkok Metro
• BRT (Bangkok)
• SRT Lines
• Suvarnabhumi Airport Link

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: BTS Skytrain

• BTS official web site
• 2Bangkok.com Skytrain site
  • the System Map of Bangkok Rail Transit Network in PDF format
  • the Master Plan of Bangkok Transport Network in PDF format
• BTS Info at www.transitbangkok.com
  • BTS Map (includes Airport Link, MRT, Chao Phraya Express, and Khlong)
• UrbanRail.net: Bangkok
• Bangkok Post; BTS should record first profit in 2009

Lee Seung Gi
Background information
Born	(1987-01-13) 13 January 1987 (age 25)
Origin	Seoul, South Korea
Genres	K-pop
Occupations	Singer, Actor, MC
Years active	2004–present
Labels	Hook Entertainment
Website	Official Site

Lee Seung Gi (Hangul: 이승기, Hanja: 李昇基) was born on 13 January 1987. He is a South Korean singer, actor and MC. He is well known as the MC for television programme Strong Heart, from 2009 to March 2012.

Career[link]

Scouted by singer Lee Sun Hee, Lee Seung Gi trained for 2 years before debuting on 5 June 2004 at the age of 17. "Because You're My Girl", his debut song from his first album The Dream Of A Moth, was a ballad which created "liking older women" syndrome in South Korea. With this song, he won the 'Best Newcomer award in various music awards ceremonies in 2004 (such as M.net KM Music Festival, SBS Music Awards and MBC Best 10 Singers Music Festival). In 2007, he also won the "Best Male Solo Artist" award^[1] in the M.net KM Music Festival with his song "White Lie" from his third album Story Of Separation.

Lee Seung Gi released a digital single Will You Marry Me in 2009. With this single, he received the "Digital Single Bonsang" award^[2] in the 24th Golden Disk Awards. In 2010, he recorded a duet version of his 2007 song Smile Boy with South Korean figure skater Kim Yuna, and the song was the official 2010 FIFA World Cup commercial song in South Korea.^[3][4] He also received the "Digital Single Bonsang" award^[5] for the second consecutive time in the 25th Golden Disk Awards with his song "Love Taught Me To Drink".

In 2005, Lee Seung Gi guest-starred in MBC's sitcom Nonstop 5. He then officially debuted as an actor in KBS's 2006 weekend drama The Infamous Chil Sisters. In 2008, he was offered the main character role in MBC's historical drama The Return of Iljimae, but was forced to turn down the offer due to his tight schedule. He was cast as the main male character of SBS's weekend drama Brilliant Legacy in 2009, starring with Korean actresses Han Hyo Joo and Moon Chae Won. The drama maintained its top spot in viewer ratings for ten consecutive weeks and ended on July 26, 2009 with its 28th episode attaining a high viewer rating of 47.1%.^[6] The huge success boosted Lee Seung Gi's popularity as an actor in both South Korea and overseas. With this drama, he received the "Excellence in Acting (Special Production)" award, the "Top 10 Stars" award and the "Best Couple" award with Han Hyo Joo in the 2009 SBS Drama Awards.^[7] His great performance in 2010 SBS's Wednesday-Thursday drama My Girlfriend is a Nine-Tailed Fox similarly earned him his second "Excellence in Acting (Drama Special)" award, "Top 10 Stars" award and "Best Couple" award with his co-star Shin Min Ah in the 2010 SBS Drama Awards.^[8] Also, in 2012, he participated in a drama called The King 2 Hearts.

Lee graduated from Dongguk University within 4 years, obtaining his degree in International Trade and Commerce on February 20, 2009 and received a Special Achievement Award^[9] from the university. He is currently continuing his studies in the Graduate School of Dongguk University.

In March 2012, Lee announced his departure from Strong Heart, in order to focus on his singing career. He recorded his last episode on 15 March, which was broadcast on 3 April.^[10]

Discography[link]

Albums[link]

Remake Albums[link]

Singles[link]

• Confession (고해) / Digital Single (Remake song) / Released on July 21, 2004
• Let's Go On A Vacation (여행을 떠나요) / Digital Single (Remake song) / Released on May 19, 2008
• Will You Marry Me (결혼해 줄래) (feat. Bizniz) / Digital Single / Released on June 18, 2009
• Like The Beginning, Just Like Then (처음처럼 그때처럼) feat. Kang Min Kyung from Davichi) / Digital Single / Released on December 22, 2009
• Smile Boy (Rock ver.)' (with Kim Yuna) / Digital Single / Released on June 1, 2010
• Smile Boy 2010' / Digital Single / Released on June 18, 2010
• Losing My Mind (정신이 나갔었나봐) / Digital Single / Released on August 4, 2010
• From Now On I Love You (지금부터 사랑해) / Digital Single / Released on September 16, 2010
• Time for Love (연애시대) (feat. Ra.D, narr. Han Hyo Joo) / Digital Single / Released on October 14, 2011

Live albums[link]

• Love – The 1st Concert / Digital Album / Released on April 6, 2007
• Hope Concert in Seoul 2010 (Japan Version) / Digital Album (DVD) / Released on October 28, 2011
• Hope Concert in Seoul 2010 (Korean Version) / Digital Album (DVD) / Released on December 15, 2011

Filmography[link]

Dramas[link]

Variety shows[link]

Music videos[link]

• 2004: "내 여자라니까" (Because You're My Girl) - starring Kim Sa Rang
• 2004: "삭제" (Delete)
• 2006: "하기 힘든 말" (Words That Are Hard To Say) - starring Nam Sang Mi
• 2006: "입모양" (Shape Of Your Lips)
• 2006: "제발" (Please), "원하고 원망하죠" (Desire And Hope) "아디오" (Addio) "눈물" (Tears) - starring Park Min Ji
• 2007: "착한 거짓말" (White Lie, 왜...가니 Why... Are You Leaving) - starring Wang Ji Hye
• 2008: "다 줄꺼야" (I'll Give You All)
• 2008: "여행을 떠나요" (Let's Go On A Vacation) - features clips from 1 Night 2 Days
• 2009: "우리 헤어지자" (Let's Break Up) - starring Lee Se Na
• 2010: "Smile Boy" (Rock version) - with Kim Yuna
• 2010: "정신이 나갔었나봐" (Losing My Mind) - features clips from My Girlfriend is a Nine-Tailed Fox
• 2010: "지금부터 사랑해" (From Now On I Love You) - features clips from My Girlfriend is a Nine-Tailed Fox
• 2011: "친구잖아" (Aren't We Friends)
• 2012: "恋愛時代" (Time for Love) - Japanese version - starring Park Shin Hye

Awards[link]

References[link]

External links[link]

• Lee Seung Gi official homepage (Korean)
• Lee Seung Gi official Japanese homepage (Japanese)
• Lee Seung Gi's official Youtube channel (Korean)

Miss A
Miss A in Mnet 20's Choice Awards, August 2010
Background information
Origin	Seoul, South Korea
Genres	K-pop, pop, dance-pop, electropop, teen pop, Mandopop
Years active	2010–present
Labels	JYP Entertainment (2010-present)
Associated acts	Sisters, JYP Nation, Wonder Girls, 2pm
Website	Official website
Members
Fei Jia Min Suzy

Miss A (미쓰에이), commonly stylized as miss A, is a four member South Korean and Chinese girl group based in South Korea. They were formed by JYP Entertainment and are managed by AQ Entertainment. The group consists of Fei, Jia, Min and Suzy.

Fei and Jia are considered two of the four best recognized female celebrities of Chinese origin active in the South Korean entertainment scene, along with f(x)'s Victoria Song and fashion model Wei Sun.^[1]

History[link]

Pre-debut, JYP Sisters: Early activities in China[link]

Members Fei and Jia were selected in 2007 (Fei was scouted on her way to dance school, while Jia's school held auditions). Before their debut, members Fei and Jia appeared in 2PM's "My Color" music video. Suzy Bae was also a model for an online shopping center.^[2]

Originally, Miss A were a 5-member group in training in 2009. While still in training, the group flew to China where they appeared in numerous variety shows performing dance routines and songs to showcase themselves to the Chinese audience. As the group had no official name they were widely known to the Chinese audiences as JYP Sisters or simply as "Sisters (시스터즈)" and was dubbed by JYP as the "Chinese Wonder Girls". However the group had gone through several changes during this period, most notably the exit of member Lim who was re-grouped to join the Wonder Girls, while two other girls decided to withdraw from the group. JYPE then decided to group the two remaining girls, Fei and Jia with JYPE South Korean trainee 15-year old, Suzy Bae.^[3][4][5]

The girls began their first official promotional activities in China as a group by signing up with Samsung China and released a commercial song called "Love Again" for the Samsung Beat Festival. The song has a strong Korean team/influence behind it, as it was written by Korean composer, Super Changddai while the music video was directed by Hong Won Ki. Lee Min Young, a solo artist and a long-time JYPE trainee in America, also made a cameo appearance in the music video. She had auditioned when she was in the 6th grade, and traveled to the U.S., where she trained for 6 years, but came back in 2008 to continue activities in Korea. During her time in New York, she studied at the Repertory Company High School in Manhattan.^[6] It was later announced she would be joining the group under her stage name, Min, and will be debuting with the group in South Korea.^[7]

2010: Debut in South Korea with "Bad Girl Good Girl" and "Breathe"[link]

Miss A made their official debut in South Korea as a four-member group on June 30 with their single "Bad Girl Good Girl" which was taken from their debut mini-album called "Bad but Good". Their single topped various music charts and eventually earned the group their first Mutizen award on M.net M! Countdown and the following day Miss A became number #1 on KBS Music Bank. On August 1 they had their number #1 on SBS Inkigayo. The song went to #1 on M.net M! Countdown, KBS Music Bank and SBS Inkigayo for one week.^{[8][9][10][11][12]}

The group later on made their comeback with their first mini-album called "Step Up" on September 26. The group promoted "Breathe" as the lead single for the album and showed an "exotic and a doll-like transformation" that was completely different from their debut single's concept. They made their first comeback on M.net M! Countdown and the following day on KBS Music Bank, MBC Show! Music Core and SBS Inkigayo. The song went to #1 on M.net M! Countdown staying for one week.^[13][14][15]

2011: Solo activities, Comeback and Chinese debut[link]

Fei appeared in the music video of the song "I Only Love You" by Huh Gong. Jia appeared in M&D's music video for "Close Your Mouth". Min was a fixed student on KBS's variety show Oh! My School, also known as 100 Out of 100. And she starred in the movie Countdown as Jang Hyeon-ji. Suzy starred in Dream High as the main character Go Hye-mi. ^{[16][17][18][19][20]}