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Earlier this year, we revealed spectacular rendered images of Bangkok's four new MRT stations, but we didn't expect the reality to really match up. However, a first glimpse at MRT Sanam Chai reveals a station that's a destination in itself. 

 

A new set of images released by Render Thailand, a blogger team that reports on Thailand's important future projects, shows a hallway designed by National Artist (Visual Art-Architecture) Dr. Pinyo Suwankiri that resembles a Rattanakosin-era state room decorated with Thai art. 

 

Surrounded by Grand Palace-evoking white walls, Sanam Chai station is anticipated to be the most ambitious of the stations on the MRT Blue Line extension from Hua Lampong.

 

The scenic station opens up right at Museum Siam, one of our favorite spots in the Old Town which is close to other leading attractions like the Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Pakklong Talad flower market. 

 

The Render team were also able to access the train tunnel, which sits some 30 meters below the Chao Phraya River.

 

Though construction on Sanam Chai station appears to be nearly complete, Bangkokians won’t be able to access it until 2019. The MRT Blue Line extension will eventually connect to Phuttamonthon Sai 4 in Nakhon Pathom and Samut Sakhon to the west of Bangkok, though the initital phase will only reach Lak Song station at Bang Kae.