Comments on: Do You Live More Than 2km From a Bangkok Rail Route?

By: Greg

Greg — Sat, 04 Jul 2015 02:04:56 +0000

In reply to James.

Agree, it’s ridiculous that it doesn’t yet exist, but it’s supposedly coming later this year. Of course, that’s what they said last year…

By: James

James — Fri, 03 Jul 2015 16:44:49 +0000

I really don’t see why they cant make a card that interchangeable and works both on the MRT and BTS lines. it would be really convenient for tourists and locals that have to use both lines each day. 🙂

By: harvie

harvie — Fri, 28 Mar 2014 09:44:53 +0000

I prefer the BTS more than the MRT, I think maybe because most of my friends live around the BTS area.

I try to live no further than 10 minute walk from a BTS station, as I don’t like using bike taxis as they pose a danger and my insurance wont cover a crash.

By: Greg

Greg — Fri, 05 Jul 2013 12:22:26 +0000

In reply to Mulder.

Hi Mulder,
I think the problem with the ARL is just sloppy planning. The areas around the stations are generally dusty, undeveloped wastelands, and even when it connects to the subway or BTS you have to do a lot of walking, often down crappy sidewalks in 38º heat, not ideal for someone with a suitcase or two. The elevators are too small to handle big bags; access roads are small and poorly planned; there are very few bus connections; scam taxis are allowed to dominate the parking areas; etc. All of these problems were voiced by nearly everyone when it began construction, but no one bothered to listen. The bottom line is that unless your hotel is VERY close to the train line, it’s cheaper, faster and easier to take a taxi to/from the airport, so there’s no incentive. Shame.

By: Greg

Greg — Fri, 05 Jul 2013 12:14:14 +0000

In reply to Stuart. Thanks Stuart. I will be writing a new post soon that you'll like much better - map goodness all around!

By: Mulder

Mulder — Thu, 04 Jul 2013 11:57:09 +0000

Of curiousity, I wonder what exactly is the problem with the ARL. I have never taken it.

Also, has the BTS improved since 2011? I was in Bangkok in February, and things went smooth on the BTS the time I was there. I didn’t count how many cars they have now.

By: Stuart

Stuart — Wed, 03 Jul 2013 08:23:27 +0000

Very cool post! I often try to figure out where the new lines under construction are going to see if I would ever want to use them. But for lines that are already open, what about the airport link? Not that there is much to see at any of the stations (except maybe Makkasan, which is already covered by Petchaburi MRT), it seems to be used pretty heavily by Thai commuters already.

By: Chris in Thailand

Chris in Thailand — Fri, 28 Jun 2013 04:40:03 +0000

You can add me to the list of ‘people who’ve used the BRT as something other than a novelty’ – specifically, we were heading to the David Beckham temple. It’s really more to connect the residents of that area with the rest of the city, although Google Maps hasn’t yet recognized it…

FWIW, it makes a great trip for photo ops where it connects with Chong Nonsi BTS.

By: Greg

Greg — Fri, 28 Jun 2013 00:54:25 +0000

In reply to Andy.

Hey Andy, good call on Talat Phlu…although the area around that station is basically a wasteland right now. Things will improve as more condos go in though. Funny thing with the BRT, I’ve yet to meet anyone who has used it as anything more than a novelty. I’m going to do a follow-up post to this soon that will show the same thing but including ALL of the proposed rail lines for the future; that will look much different. Now all we can do is hope they continue with construction. 🙂

By: Andy

Andy — Thu, 27 Jun 2013 19:55:54 +0000

If you include the express boat service on the Chao Phraya – which is same easy to use as the two railway lines and even cheaper – then you have almost all of the central Bangkok covered, including the Wat Phra Kaeo area.

A small correction – you left out the latest BTS station on the Thonburi side named Talat Phlu, now it runs right till the BRT interchange near The Mall Tha Phra. But even Google Maps does not show that station yet. I only tried BRT once when it was still free-to-ride, if you’d include that then you could add the Yannawa area to the area in pink.