M.R.T. Chaloem Ratchamongkhon Line

Project Name: M.R.T. Chaloem Ratchamongkhon Line

Name of CompanyArun Chaiseri Consulting Engineers Company Limited

Name of Associated Firm A member of “Berger-CSC 1 Consortium” comprising the

following consulting firms:

  • Louis Berger International, Inc.
  • Lahmeyer International GMBH.
  • Sverdrup Civil, Inc.
  • Sea Consult Engineering Co., Ltd.
  • Roge Consultant Co., Ltd.
  • Project Planning Services Co., Ltd.
  • P.U. Associates Co., Ltd.

Project Location Central Bangkok Area, Bangkok, Thailand

Project Owner The Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA)

Project Cost 63,635 Million Baht

Scope of Services Construction Supervision Consultant of Contract 1, Contract 2, and Contract 5 (see details in “Project Description”).

Project Description

The Initial System Project, the Blue Line (Hua Lamphong-Bang Sue Section), which has now been named the M.R.T. Chaloem Ratchamongkhon Line, first entered the public consciousness when H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej graciously designed H.R.H. Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn to lay the foundation stone at Hua Lamphong Railway Station on 19 November 1996. Later, on 9 August 1999, H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej graciously bestowed the name “Chaloem Ratchamongkhon” on this, Thailand’s first underground line. The name means “Celebration of the Auspicious Kingship”.

Stretching over 20 Kilometres across metropolitan Bangkok, the M.R.T. Chaloem Ratchmongkhon Line starts at Hua Lamphong Railway Station and terminates at Bang Sue Railway Station. The 18 stations along the route are at Hua Lamphong, Sam Yan, Si Lom, Lumphini, Khlong Toei, Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, Sukhumvit, Phetchaburi, Phra Ram 9, Thailand Cultural Center, Huai Khwang, Sutthisan, Ratchadaphisek, Lat Phrao, Phahon Yothin, Chatuchak Park, Kamphaeng Phet, and Bang Sue.

All major construction work on the Chaloem Ratchamongkhon Line is completed and the underground trains have been undergoing rigorous testing. Members of the public were invited to take trial rides during April and June 2004. On the 3rd of July 2004, H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej and H.M. Queen Sirikit preside over the official inauguration ceremony at Hua Lamphong Station. On this special occasion, Their Majesties the King and the Queen also visit the depot and operation control center at Huai Khwang.

The M.R.T. Chaloem Ratchamongkhon Line is divided into 6 construction Contracts:

Contract 1: Underground Structure South - Contractor: BCKT.  Design and Construction of Underground Structures from Hua Lumphong to Huai Khwang with a contract value of 23,900 million baht.

Contract 2: Underground Structure North - Contractor: ION.  Design and Construction of Underground Structures from Huai Khwang to Bang Su with a contract value 28,550 million baht.

Contract 3: Depot Contract - Contractor: SNMC. Design and Construction of Depot Platform with a contract value of 5,495 million baht.

Contract 4: Track Works - Contractor: CKSL.  Design and Construction of railway tracks for UGN & UGS with a contract value of 3,020 million baht.

Contract 5: Escalators - Contractor: MMW.  Design, manufacture, supply & install lifts and escalators for UGN & UGS with a contract value of 1,800 million baht.

Contract 6: Contractor: BMCL.  Design, manufacture, supply, installation testing and commissioning of the M&E equipment and for the operation of the MRTA Initial System at BMCL’s sole expense.  Contract value 25,168 Million Baht.

Each underground station has an approximate dimension of 23 m. width by 220 m.long. Top-down technique with diaphragm wall is applied for all stations, Cut and cover with bored piles work had also constructed and implemented with good engineering practice for all entrances and ventilation buildings had been well supervised to meet the high degree of safety standard.

Responsibility of the construction supervision consultant (CSC) includes the supervision of all construction aspects within the station boundary as well as its impact to the environment, the traffic and public utilities. The construction activities include diaphragm wall construction, excavation work, top-down structures, architectural finishing as well as system engineering in the station.

Moreover, CSC has to participate in the monthly progress meeting, review non- design submissions and keep all construction records as well as non conformances and at final stage his duty for reviewing as-constructed drawings. CSC’s performance shall enhance the safety implementations and also the construction quality standards as specified by the MRTA. The project commenced in January 1998 and the construction was successfully completed in July 2004.

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