Sanam Chai MRT station

{{Short description|Bangkok rapid transit station}}{{Infobox station | name = {{white|สนามไชย}} Sanam Chai | type = {{rint|bangkok|mrt}} {{rint|bangkok|blue}} | style = MRT | image = Sanam Chai MRT (I).jpg | address = [[Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang Subdistrict]], [[Phra Nakhon District]], [[Bangkok]], [[Thailand]] | coordinates = {{Coord|13|44|38|N|100|29|41.1|E|type:railwaystation|display=inline,title}} | owned = [[Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand]] (MRTA) | operator = [[Bangkok Expressway and Metro Public Company Limited]] (BEM) | line = {{rint|bangkok|blue}} [[MRT Blue Line]] | platform = 1 island platform (5 exits, 2 elevators) | connections = [[Chao Phraya Express Boat]] services | structure = Underground | code = BL31 | web = | opened = {{Start date and age|2019|07|29|df=y}} | passengers = 877,862 | pass_year = 2021 | services = {{Adjacent stations|system=MRT|line=Blue|left=Itsaraphap|right=Sam Yot|to-left=Lak Song|to-right=Tha Phra via Bang Sue}} }} '''Sanam Chai station''' ({{langx|th|สถานีสนามไชย}}, {{RTGS|Sathani Sanam Chai}}, {{IPA|th|sā.tʰǎː.nīː sā.nǎːm tɕʰāj|pron}}) is a [[MRT (Bangkok)|Bangkok MRT]] rapid transit station on the [[MRT Blue Line|Blue Line]]. The station is located underground under [[Sanam Chai Road]]. During the excavation of the site to build the station, multiple historical artifacts were found, such as coins from the reign of [[Mongkut|King Mongkut]] and [[Chulalongkorn|King Chulalongkorn]]. These were given to the [[Fine Arts Department]] and [[Museum Siam]] for preservation and research. An exhibition was planned to display these artifacts at concourse level under Exit 1.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thairath.co.th/content/305390|title=ขุดรถไฟฟ้าพบประวัติศาสตร์ โบราณวัตถุสมัยรัชกาลที่ 4–5|last=|first=|date=|website=|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=}}</ref> This was opened to the public as the first museum in Thailand located underground on 27 November 2020, free of charge.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=เปิดแล้ว "มิวเซียมใต้ดิน" แห่งแรกของไทย @MRT สนามไชย|url=https://www.prachachat.net/property/news-563948|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=|website=}}</ref>

== Design and location == [[File:MRT BL31 Traditional station sign.svg|thumb|Sanam Chai Station Traditional sign]] Sanam Chai station is in the middle of [[Rattanakosin Island]], or Bangkok's old town zone, which is a conservation area and has historical significance. It can be considered as the only station in the inner Rattanakosin Island (around [[Royal Grand Palace]]), and regarded as one of only four MRT stations that are recognized for their most beautiful design (consisted of [[Itsaraphap MRT Station|Itsaraphap station]], Sanam Chai station, [[Sam Yot MRT Station|Sam Yot station]], and [[Wat Mangkon MRT Station|Wat Mangkon station]]).

The interior is finished under the theme of the early [[Rattanakosin era]], as designed by expert in [[Thai architecture]] and national artist [[Pinyo Suwankiri]]. The inside is decorated with Sadom pillars (main pillar), these are etched with tiles carve into the shape of the [[Mimusops elengi|Pikul]] flower sharpe, which signify prosperity, with the pillar edges adorn with blooming lotus shapes, with long curve petals leaning toward the centre, the bottom of each large petals engrave with smaller petals and coated in [[gold leaf]]. The floor and walls made of resemble the city walls. The ceiling painted with star sharpe stencils to resemble the atmosphere of the throne hall in Rattanakosin era. The station has a higher ceiling than most MRT stations along the line as the ventilation system was installed to the side of the station instead of directly above it.

Entry-exit 1 has been specifically designed by CH.Karnchang, PLC. without a roof and with specially designed escalators, in order to not obscure the view of Museum Siam located behind the exit.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://27.254.189.213//Upload/web_file_manager_91253_1564127111_40108_file1.pdf|title=BEM Magazine ฉบับพิเศษ เปิดให้บริการโครงการรถไฟฟ้าสายสีน้ำเงินส่วนต่อขยาย|last=|first=|date=|website=|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190817075341/http://27.254.189.213//Upload/web_file_manager_91253_1564127111_40108_file1.pdf|archive-date=2019-08-17|access-date=|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pf.co.th/blog/home-discovery/2018/04/27/didyouknow-sanamchai-station/|title=เรื่องน่ารู้เกี่ยวกับ "สถานีสนามไชย" สถานีรถไฟใต้ดินที่สวยที่สุดในประเทศไทย|last=|first=|date=|website=|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=}}</ref>

In addition to being in the middle of the Rattanakosin Island, the station is also near [[Wat Pho]], [[Saranrom Park]], [[Saranrom Palace]], Museum Siam, [[Pak Khlong Talat]], [[Rajini School]], [[Wat Ratchabopit]], [[Wat Rajabopit School]], [[Wat Ratchapradit]], etc.

== Station layout == {|table border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=4 | style = "border-bottom:solid 1px gray;" rowspan=1 valign=top|'''G Ground{{nbsp}}floor ''' | style = "border-bottom:solid 1px gray;" valign=top|- | style = "border-bottom:solid 1px gray;" valign=top|Bus stop, [[Museum Siam]] |- | style = "border-bottom:solid 1px gray;" rowspan=1 valign=top|'''B1 Basement ''' | style = "border-bottom:solid 1px gray;" valign=top| Basement | style = "border-bottom:solid 1px gray;" valign=top| Exits 1–5 |- | style = "border-bottom:solid 1px gray;" rowspan=1 valign=top|'''B2 Concourse ''' | style = "border-bottom:solid 1px gray;" valign=top|Concourse | style = "border-bottom:solid 1px gray;" valign=top|Ticket machines |- |style="border-bottom:solid 1px gray;" rowspan=3 valign=top width=50|'''B4 Platform ''' |width=100|Platform {{color|#{{rcr|MRT|blue}}|'''2'''}} |width=450|{{rcb|MRT|blue|inline=route}} towards {{ltl|MRT|blue|r}} via {{stl|MRT|Bang Sue}} ({{stl|MRT|Sam Yot}}) |- | style = "border-top:solid 2px black;border-right:solid 2px black;border-left:solid 2px black;border-bottom:solid 2px black; text-align:center;" colspan=2|[[Island platform]], doors will open on the right |- |style="border-bottom:solid 1px gray;" width=100|Platform {{color|#{{rcr|MRT|blue}}|'''1'''}} |style="border-bottom:solid 1px gray;" width=450|{{rcb|MRT|blue|inline=route}} towards {{ltl|MRT|blue|l}} ({{stl|MRT|Itsaraphap}}) |}

== Gallery == <gallery> File:Sanam Chai MRT Station interior 01.jpg|Thai style chandelier File:Sanam Chai MRT Station interior 09.jpg|City gate replica File:Sanam Chai MRT Station interior 06.jpg|Sadom pillars File:MRT Sanamchai vending machines.jpg|Ticket vending machines File:Artifact exhibition area, Sanam Chai Station.jpg|Future space planned for artifact exhibition File:202403 Exit 1 of Sanam Chai Station in Front of Museum Siam.jpg|Exit 1 in front of the [[Museum Siam]] File:MRT Sanamchai entrance 2.jpg|Exit 2 File:202403 Nameboard of Sanam Chai on the Platform.jpg|Platform File:Video media in Sanam Chai station museum area - 30 July 2025.jpg|Video media in station museum area. File:Ancient ruins in Sanam Chai station museum area - 30 July 2025.jpg|Ancient ruins in station museum area. </gallery>

== References == {{Reflist}} {{Bangkok Rapid Transit stations|Blue=yes}}

[[Category:MRT (Bangkok) stations]] [[Category:Railway stations in Thailand opened in 2019]] [[category:Pinyo Suwankiri buildings and structures]]