Thai Monorail launched the two services back in 2008. After struggling to make a profit, the company reached an agreement with the Zoological Park Organisation that allowed it to sell combined tickets for the two transport options for THB100.
After countless complaints by visitors to the zoo that the fares were too expensive, the Zoological Park Organisation told Thai Monorail to stop selling the combined ticket in January this year. The monorail operator failed to comply with the order and zoo officials then claimed breach of contract and demanded that the services were cancelled.
Thai Monorail ignored the order and continued operating and selling the combo-tickets until last Thursday. Zoo officials took the matter across the road to Phu Ping Police Station and lodged a complaint. Thai Monorail finally stopped running its monorail and trolley-buses on Friday.
A letter from the Zoological Park Organisation’s director, Songphol Phanawong, states that Thai Monorail has 60 days to dismantle all its structures at Chiang Mai Zoo and restore the locations to their original condition. The zoo occupies a 200-acre site at the foot of Suthep Mountain and is one of the northern Thai city’s premier attractions.
Fare row grounds Chiang Mai Zoo monorail
News in Asia
Thailand’s Zoological Park Organisation has ordered Chiang Mai Zoo’s monorail operator to shut down the service and remove all its equipment. The command follows a disagreement over fare structuring for the monorail and trolley-bus services at the zoo.