Bangkok Elevated Road and Train System
The Bangkok Elevated Road and Train System, commonly known as the Hopewell Project after main contractor Hopewell Holdings, was a failed project to build an elevated highway and rail line from central Bangkok to Don Mueang International Airport. Construction started in 1990, but was suspended by the first government of Anand Panyarachun in 1992, and was finally halted by legal acrimony in 1997 with only 10-13% complete. The project was cancelled in 1998. Due to its resemblance to standing stones, it was comically nicknamed "Thailand's Stonehenge". As of 2024, some idle pillars are still standing and litigation about the project continues.
BERTS pillars between Bang Sue and Don Muang (nicknamed Thailand's Stonehenge), c. 1999
Model of the BERTS train to be used in the project
Pillars near Ngam Wong Wan intersection in 2009, along the present alignment of the SRT Dark Red Line
Anand Panyarachun is a Thai retired politician who was Prime Minister twice: once in 1991–1992 and again during the latter half of 1992. He was effective in initiating economic and political reforms, one of which was the drafting of Thailand's "People's Constitution", which was promulgated in 1997 and abrogated in 2006. Anand received a Ramon Magsaysay Award for Government Service in 1997.
Anand in 2010
Anand in 2010