Reactions to Thailand’s one of the oldest railway station being closed

Thai citizens have mixed reactions about the closure of Hua Lamphong Station in central Bangkok, one of the very first stations of Thailand from over 100 years, as to develop the area into a mix-used area, where all railway lines including commercial, short-distance, and long-distance lines were relocated to Bang Sue Station. The former deputy director of Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand, Yiamchai Chatkaew, commented that a train station in the middle of Bangkok is a must for the citizens to be able to access the transit system with convenience, speed, and safety. Meanwhile, Professor Sonchai Lobyaem from Department of Urban Design and Planning, Faculty of Architecture, Silpakorn University, pointed out that there are stations in several countries that are more than 200 years old and still operate, calling for the Hua Lamphong station to be maintained, adding that Hua Lamphong Station has high potential as a terminal and possibility to be developed to be city’s cargo hub.