BEM targets Bangkok MRT reopening on September 21 after fire
Bangkok MRT services could resume on September 21 after overnight repairs at Tao Poon, but reopening depends on inspections confirming the system is safe.
Bangkok Expressway and Metro (BEM) is preparing overnight repairs following the electrical fire at Tao Poon station, aiming to restore affected Metropolitan Rapid Transit (MRT) services by Monday morning (September 21, 2026), Deputy Transport Minister Phattrapong Phattraprasit said on Sunday (September 20). Reopening will depend on completed inspections and confirmation that the system is safe.
BEM prepares overnight repairs as minister orders checks
Phattrapong visited Tao Poon station after the cable incident and instructed the Department of Rail Transport (DRT), the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) and other relevant agencies to accelerate inspections and repairs.
Phattrapong said the incident had been brought under control and BEM was preparing to repair damaged equipment. The operator would expedite the work overnight with the aim of restoring services the following morning.
MRTA and BEM must confirm that the system is ready and safe before allowing passengers to return, Phattrapong stressed. The reopening target would not override the requirement for inspections and clearance from the relevant agencies.
Tao Poon cable fire followed by power-room alarm
A preliminary account placed the short circuit in electrical cables along the tracks at Tao Poon station on Pracha Rat Sai 2 Road at 12.32pm. Firefighters from Bang Pho Fire and Rescue Station inspected the scene and brought the fire under control. A cable short circuit was identified as the suspected cause, with further investigation continuing.
Earlier emergency updates recorded firefighters reaching the area around Tao Poon’s electrical control room at 12.43pm, using a thermal imaging camera and bringing in smoke-extraction equipment. Tao Poon station temporarily suspended services at 12.46pm.
At 1.15pm, a fire alarm activated in Tao Poon station’s power supply room. Crews found smoke and marks from electrical arcing, including scorch marks, but no flames.
Officials were carrying out further checks across the electrical system to establish the cause and assess whether rail operations could safely resume.
Passengers had been evacuated during the incident. BEM initially reported delays of about 60 minutes at some Blue Line stations following an electrical fault between Tao Poon and Bang Pho, affecting trains heading towards Tha Phra.
Blue and Purple line sections affected
MRTA had earlier announced the suspension of Blue Line services between Bang O and Kamphaeng Phet stations, and Purple Line services between Bang Son and Tao Poon.
The suspensions affected sections of the two lines. Phattrapong’s latest update set out a conditional reopening target rather than confirming that the affected services had resumed.
Replacement buses prepared if repairs overrun
The Transport Ministry has coordinated with the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) to provide temporary shuttle buses along affected sections if repairs or inspections are not completed in time, or if the safety of reopening cannot be confirmed, Phattrapong said.
MRTA’s earlier replacement bus arrangements comprised:
- Chatuchak Park–Tao Poon–Bang Phlat: Three buses serving the route via Tao Poon.
- Bang Son–Tao Poon: Two buses connecting the stations.
Tao Poon serves as the connection point between the replacement bus routes. MRTA apologised for the disruption and said it would continue issuing progress updates.
