Bangkok hopes extended railway will ease traffic chaos

Subway system set to double with $9.5bn investment by 2023

BKK BTS rail sysytem

Bangkok opened its first urban railway in 1999, a relatively early mover in Southeast Asia, but frequent political upheavals and economic fluctuations delayed expansion. (Photo by Akira Kodaka)

YOHEI MURAMATSU, Nikkei staff writer

BANGKOK -- A city known for traffic gridlock and confusing roads, Bangkok has been trying to improve traffic and the quality of life for its residents by rapidly expanding its rail system.

The Blue Line, Bangkok's first circle line, started operation at the beginning of this month connecting the downtown area with western districts after the completion of a 12-kilometer extension in the west of the capital.

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