Yellow Line monorail to resume service at noon on Sunday: Suriya

The MRY Yellow Line monorail will resume operations at noon on Sunday after its operator completes safety checks in the morning, Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit has announced.

Operators of the MRT Yellow Line, also known as the MRT Nakkhara Phiphat Line in Bangkok and Samut Prakan, along with the MRT Pink Line, a monorail system serving Bangkok and Nonthaburi, suspended services following the earthquake in Myanmar on Friday, which also caused damage in Bangkok.

The two operators sought to determine whether the elevated monorail structures or electrical systems had been affected by the tremor before resuming operations.

On Sunday morning, Suriya stated that the Yellow Line operator, Eastern Bangkok Monorail, had completed its inspection using a maintenance inspection vehicle. As a result, services would resume at noon.

Meanwhile, the Pink Line, operated by Northern Bangkok Monorail, is scheduled to resume service on Monday after the completion of thorough safety checks.

Suriya noted that the NBM had already inspected the monorail structure and found no issues.

However, it had yet to check the power rail along the monorail at three locations—between Min Buri station, at Min Buri station itself, and at the Saen Saeb canal crossing.

Regarding the reopening of the Din Daeng gate of the Chalerm Mahanakhon Expressway, Suriya stated that it must remain closed for the time being, as the removal of a toppled construction crane above the expressway has not yet been completed.

A tower crane, which was toppled by the tremor, remains hanging from a building under construction. Consequently, the affected section of the expressway has been closed to ensure motorists' safety.

Suriya explained that heavy machinery would be used to cut the toppled crane into sections to facilitate its removal. He added that this operation would be conducted at night to minimise the impact on traffic below.