🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
The nice thing about the Purple Line is that it's elevated the whole way, running alongside Rattanathibet–Tiwanon Road and passing through nearly all of Nonthaburi's residential neighborhoods and major malls. The Bangkok-side terminus is Tao Poon station, where you can transfer to the MRT Blue Line into the city, while Bang Son station connects to the SRT Red Line toward Bang Sue–Taling Chan. That makes it an easy route for Bangkok folks to pop out to Nonthaburi for the day and head home by evening. We'll run from the Nonthaburi end of the line (Khlong Bang Phai) back toward Bangkok (Tao Poon) to keep things simple to picture.
Before you go — tickets and fares
Since late 2025, the government rolled out a 20 THB flat-fare policy across the metro network, and the Purple Line is part of it. The normal fare runs around 14–20 THB depending on distance, but if you register for the discount in the Thang Rath app and tap an EMV contactless card (a supported credit/debit card), you'll pay no more than 20 THB. For the Purple–Red Line transfer at Bang Son, you need to tap in and out within 30 minutes using the same card for it to count as a continuous trip.
- Operating hours — roughly 05:30–24:00. Trains run every 5–6 minutes at peak, with slightly longer gaps off-peak.
- Interchanges — Tao Poon for the Blue Line · Bang Son for the Red Line (Bang Sue–Taling Chan).
- How to pay — token, MRT Plus card, or tap an EMV contactless card; register for the 20 THB discount in the Thang Rath app first.
- Avoid the crush — 7–9 AM and 5–7 PM get packed. If you're traveling at a relaxed pace, heading out mid-morning is far more comfortable.
Register before you go
If you plan to ride the Purple Line several times in a day, registering for the 20 THB discount in the Thang Rath app and linking an EMV card beforehand is the best value — each trip costs no more than 20 THB, so hopping on and off at multiple stations all day won't add up.
Want more out of Nonthaburi? Book tours & activities
Booking online ahead on Klook or GetYourGuide is usually cheaper than the gate and skips the queue. Pick only the experiences you actually want — prices and availability are shown live on each site.
The mall run — shopping right at the station
If shopping is the goal, the Purple Line delivers, because nearly all of Nonthaburi's major malls sit right along the line. Step off the train, walk the skywalk into the mall, and you're there — no need to grab another ride. We've listed them by station, working in from the end of the line.
CentralPlaza WestGate — Talat Bang Yai station (Exit 4)
The biggest mall in the area, covering close to 100 rai. It's got Central, Tops, a cinema, an IKEA Bang Yai branch, and HarborLand, a large indoor amusement park. Late 2025 added a Don Don Donki too. The skywalk from the station into the mall takes about 6 minutes.
Central Rattanathibet — Yaek Nonthaburi 1 / Bang Kraso station
Another Central branch on Rattanathibet Road, more compact than WestGate but with everything you need — supermarket, restaurants, and a cinema. It's near the Nonthaburi government complex, so it's handy for a meal or to escape the heat while you're touring the city side.
The Mall Ngamwongwan — Tiwanon side (short connecting ride)
A long-standing mall in the Ngamwongwan area with a Gourmet Market, restaurants, and a cinema. It's not right at a station, but get off near the Tiwanon–Ministry of Public Health intersection and a short ride gets you there. It's a popular spot for a meal among locals in this part of town.
Major / Lotus's / Big C along Rattanathibet
Along the way you'll find community malls and mid-sized stores scattered across several stations, including the Lotus's and Big C Rattanathibet branches. Good for grabbing snacks to go or finding a place to eat without diving into a big mall.
Taking kids to WestGate
If you're traveling with kids, CentralPlaza WestGate can fill a whole day in one place. HarborLand is an indoor amusement park, so rain or shine isn't an issue, then there's IKEA for the parents to browse home goods, and you can wrap up at the cinema or food court before riding the train back.
The market run — food and bargains
Beyond the malls, the Purple Line also gets you to several day and evening markets — great if you like wandering for street food, hunting for cheap finds, or just settling in at a stall in the market.
Yaek Nonthaburi 1 Market (Owl Market) — Yaek Nonthaburi 1 station
An evening market in the Yaek Nonthaburi area, open from late afternoon until late, with food, clothes, and cheap everyday goods. An easy after-work stroll, and you can walk straight there from the station.
Bang Yai Market / Sam Yaek Bang Yai — Talat Bang Yai–Sam Yaek Bang Yai station
The traditional fresh and day-market zone of Bang Yai, with local eats, fresh produce, and curry-and-rice shops. Paired with WestGate right nearby, you can see both the new and the old in a single trip.
Mani Phiman Market (Tao Poon Market) — Tao Poon station
A market in the Tao Poon area on the Bangkok side, right by the end-of-line station, with food and fresh goods to grab before you transfer to the Blue Line into the city. Good for a quick bite while changing lines.
The temple run — making merit by station
The Purple Line passes several temples that are a short connecting ride from the station — good if you're into making merit or want to pair some temple architecture with your mall day.
- Wat Leng Noei Yi 2 (Wat Borommarachakanchanaphisek Anusorn) — near Khlong Bang Phai, the end of the line. A Chinese temple with full-on Chinese architecture and intricate carving; people come to pray for blessings and take photos.
- Wat Bang Phai / notable temples around Bang Phlu — get off at Bang Phlu station and take a short ride. An old temple with a shady, peaceful setting, well-loved by Bang Yai locals.
- Temples in Nonthaburi town — from the Yaek Nonthaburi 1–Bang Kraso area, you can ride out to Wat Bua Khwan or head into the old town if you want to add temples along the Chao Phraya.
When to visit Wat Leng Noei Yi 2
Wat Leng Noei Yi 2 is busiest during Chinese festivals, Chinese New Year, and long holidays. If you want good photos without the crowds, go on a weekday morning — get off at Khlong Bang Phai station and take a short ride into the temple.
Catch a boat to the old town — Tha Nam Non and Ko Kret
The real charm of Nonthaburi is its riverside life along the Chao Phraya, and the Purple Line connects you to it. Phra Nang Klao Bridge station is near the pier — get off and catch a Chao Phraya Express boat or a cross-river ferry over to the old town at Tha Nam Non. If you're heading to Ko Kret, get off on the city side, ride out to Pak Kret–Wat Sanam Nuea, and a cross-river ferry of just a few baht gets you to the island.
Tha Nam Non (Old-Town Market)
A riverside area that brings together a market, the express-boat pier, and old-school food. Get off at Phra Nang Klao Bridge station and take a boat or a short ride to wander an old town along the Chao Phraya that's still very much alive.
Ko Kret, the Mon community
A car-free island in the river — walk or cycle around it, sample Mon sweets, watch the pottery, and pay respects at Wat Poramaiyikawat. It's liveliest on weekends. From the city-side station, ride out to Pak Kret and take the cross-river ferry.
Wat Chaloem Phra Kiat Worawihan
A riverside temple from the reign of Rama III that blends Chinese and Thai art beautifully, with a calm atmosphere. Reach it from the city side or by boat — a good pairing with Tha Nam Non.
Timing the train and the boat
On the riverside, leave extra time for the boat connection — the Chao Phraya Express and the cross-river ferries don't run every minute, so check the rough schedule first. If you're heading to Ko Kret, go in the morning on a Saturday or Sunday: the island's shops are in full swing and you'll have plenty of time to wander before catching the boat back to the train.
Plan a trip along the Purple Line
Pick a theme that suits you — focus on a single mall day, or mix malls and the old town for a bit of everything. Below are sample plans you can actually pull off from Bangkok, out in the morning and back by evening.
Mall day — WestGate + Nonthaburi town
Old-town day — riverside, temples, Ko Kret
Plan a full Nonthaburi trip — where to stay, eat, and go
See the Nonthaburi guide →