Thailand Cultural Centre MRT Station

Thailand Cultural Centre ศูนย์วัฒนธรรมแห่งประเทศไทย
Blue Line platforms
Location	Din Daeng and Huai Khwang District, Bangkok, Thailand
Operated by	Bangkok Metro Public Company Limited (BMPCL)
Line(s)	MRT Blue Line MRT Orange Line (proposed)
Platforms	1 island platform (operational) and 2 side platforms (planned)
Tracks	4 (2 in operation and 2 planned)
Construction
Structure type	Underground
Disabled access	Yes
Other information
Station code	CUL
History
Opened	3 July 2004 (2004-07-03)
Previous names	Thian Ruam Mit
Services
Preceding station   Bangkok Metro   Following station Phra Ram 9 toward Hua Lamphong MRT Blue Line Huai Khwang toward Bang Sue Pracha Songkhro toward Bang Khun Non MRT Orange Line (proposed) MRTA toward Suvinthawong

Thailand Cultural Centre MRT Station (Thai: สถานีศูนย์วัฒนธรรมแห่งประเทศไทย, code CUL) is a Bangkok Metro station. Located under Ratchadaphisek Road, near Thailand Cultural Centre and MRT depot. It will be transfers to MRT Orange Line in the future. Before construction, the station had been named Thian Ruam Mit.

Station layout

Station details

The station uses symbul as color blue.^[1] It is underground station, widths 27 meters, lengths 358 meters, depths 20 meters, and uses island platform.

There are MetroMall in the station, but not opened yet.

Bus connection

• Bangkok Mass Transit Authority
  • Ratchadaphisek line 73 73A 98 136 137 157 163 172 179 185 206 514 517 528 529

Major accident record

On 17 January 2005, just after 09:15, an empty train returning to the depot collided with a peak-hour train filled with passengers at the Thailand Cultural Centre station. 140 people were hurt, most of whom sustained only minor injuries, and the entire Metro network was shut down for two weeks.

After initial investigations, it was found that the empty train had run into problems shortly before the accident, grinding to a halt on a curve leading to the depot. The driver applied its brake and was waiting to be towed to the maintenance centre close to Thailand Cultural Centre station.

A rescue train was attempting to connect to the stalled train when the driver was told to release the brake while coupling had not yet been successful. It was then that the empty train began to roll backwards at a speed of ten metres per second, before smashing into the other train, which was carrying passengers. Therefore, it was believed that the incident was caused by negligence due to insufficient training of operation staff.^[2] This accident also resulted in two damaged trains with heavily damaged areas limited to the two leading cars. The colliding speed was suspected to be about 60 km/h due to the appearance of damaged areas. However, one train, which was rebuilt from the repair of the minor-damaged cars, was already fitted for operation at the end of 2006 and the remaining one was still under heavy repair until mid of 2007; it was released into service in October, 2007. The cost resulting from the accident might be a much higher figure than BMCL quoted, and it was expected to be at least 400 million baht, which was totally insured by a local insurance company.

The Metro resumed full operation on 1 February 2005, and passenger numbers soon rose back to pre-crash levels, partly due to a temporary promotional fare scheme which allowed passengers to travel any distance on the MRT for only ten baht (~0.33 USD).^[3]

References

Bangkok Metropolitan Mass Rapid Transit stations
BTS   BTS   MRT   MRT   ARL   SRT   SRT   MRT   MRT   MRT   MRT   BMA   BMA   BMA
MRT  Chaloem Ratchamongkhon Line Southern Extension Phutthamonthon Sai 4 Nong Khaem Thawi Watthana Phutthamonthon Sai 2 Lak Song Bang Khae Phasi Charoen Phet Kasem 48 Bang Wa Bang Phai Tha Phra Itsaraphap Sanam Chai Sam Yod Wat Mangkon Kamalawat Operational Hua Lamphong Sam Yan Si Lom Lumphini Khlong Toei Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre Sukhumvit Phetchaburi Phra Ram 9 Thailand Cultural Centre Huai Khwang Sutthisan Ratchadaphisek Lat Phrao Phahon Yothin Chatuchak Park Kamphaeng Phet Bang Sue Tao Poon Northern Extension Bang Pho Bang Aor Bang Phlat Sirindhorn Bang Yi Khan Bang Khun Non Yaek Fai Chai Charan Sanit Wong 13 Tha Phra
MRT  Orange Line (proposed) Bang Khun Non Siriraj Sanam Luang Democracy Monument Lan Luang Yommarat Banthat Thong Ratchathewi Pratunam Ratchaprarop Rang Nam Din Daeng Pracha Songkhro Thailand Cultural Centre MRTA Pradit Manutham Ramkhamhaeng 12 Ramkhamhaeng Ratcha Mangkhla Hua Mak Lam Sali Si Burapha Khlong Ban Ma Sammakon Nom Klao Rat Phatthana Min Phatthana Kheha Ramkhamhaeng Min Buri Suwinthawong

Coordinates: 13°45′58″N 100°34′12″E / 13.7661°N 100.5700°E / 13.7661; 100.5700