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It's no secret that Bangkok has a traffic problem,
and traveling between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. can
be frustrating and time consuming as you become
lost in a series of traffic jams. However, there
is an alternative that can make traveling through
the city easy and enjoyable.
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| The Bangkok Mass Transport System
- usually called the BTS or Skytrain - began operation
on December 5, 1999. It is an elevated metro,
consisting of two lines and 23 stations. For people
wishing to explore the center of Bangkok, the
Skytrain offers a fast, pollution-free service
and a different vantage point. |
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| The average journey costs 10-30 baht,
much cheaper than a taxi or tuk-tuk. The automatic
ticket machines only take 5 and 10 baht coins,
so take plenty of change if you want to avoid
queuing at the change counter. You can also purchase
a day ticket, which offers unlimited trips for
just 120 baht. |
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| Called Rot Fai Fah in Thai - car
with fire up in the air - the Skytrain connects
with areas such as Siam, Sukhumvit and Silom.
The best way to experience the Skytrain from Khaosan
Road is to take the ferry from pier 13 to Saphan
Taksin, which connects with the last stop on the
Silom line. It is good to note that the stations
on the Skytrain use a slightly different phonetic
spelling to usually seen on maps and signs around
Bangkok. Try saying the words aloud and if they
sound similar then you're on the right track. |
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| Here's a break down of what you
can find at each stop: |
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| Saphan Taksin: Journey starts
here. Follow the signs from the river up the steps
and purchase your ticket. |
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| Surasak: Not much here, but
there are some good, cheap restaurants. |
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| Chong Nonsi: Close to the
Thai Immigration Bureau on Soi Suan Phlu (Sathorn
soi 3). |
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| Sala Daeng: (Interchange
with MRT). This is the stop for Patpong, where
you can barter in the market or slip into one
of the bars for livelier entertainment. Stop here
for Convent Road. |
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| Ratchadamri: Stop here for
elevated views of the horse racing track, or some
of the swankier hotels such as the Regent Hotel. |
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| Siam (Central Station): Bangkok's
main shopping district. Siam Square, Siam Centre,
Discovery Center, Paragon and MBK are all close
by. |
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| National Stadium:
End of the Silom Line. Jim Thompson's House is a
short walk from here. |
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| Sukhumvit
Line |
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| Mo Chit (Morchit):
A good way to get to Chatuchak park and market.
Suan Rot fai, the park behind Chatuchak, is also worth
exploring. Connects with the North-East Bus Terminal
and MRT. |
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| Saphan Khwai:
Stop here for Thai-style bars and go-go bars. |
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| Ari: Villa
Market Complex can provide food for homesick palets,
as can the range of restaurants and cafes. |
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| Sanam Pao:
Means 'Shooting Field' in Thai. |
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| Victory Monument:
Stop here for live music at the Saxophone Pub, or
explore the stalls dotted around this area. |
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| Phaya Thai:
Here you will find some restaurants offering delicious
Isaan food. Look out for 'Tee Sud Isaan Inter Restaurant'. |
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| Ratchathewi:
This is the stop for Panthip Plaza and the Pratunam
Shopping Center, which has a good international food
court. |
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| Siam (Central
Station): Change for the Silom line to go back to
Khaosan Road. |
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| Chit Lom:
Stop here for up market shopping centers such as Amarin
Plaza, Gaysorn Plaza and Central World Plaza. |
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| Ploen Chi:
There is a sky bridge connecting to the pedestrian
bridge next to the British Embassy. |
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| Nana: Home
of Nana Plaza, and the main soi with its inviting neon-clad
bars as well as Nana Hotel and Landmark Hotel. |
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| Asok (Asoke):
Interchange with MRT. Stop here for Soi Cowboy. |
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| Phrom Phong:
The Emporium is here and you can also explore The
Queen's Park (Benja Siri Park). |
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| Tong Lo (Tong
Lor): Soi Tong Lo (Sukhumvit 55) has a wide range
of bars just waiting to be explored. Check out The Robin
Hood Pub, Wiches Tavern and Coliseum Brew Arena. |
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| Ekkamai:
Connects with the Eastern Bus Terminal. The Science
Museum here is worth visiting. |
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| Phra Khanong:
Get off here for the Hua Mark Stadium. |
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| Om Nu: Closest
stop to Suvarnapoomi airport - for now, at least. |
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| See the BTS
website |
