Sky train in Bangkok?

Question

Could tell me more about it, please?

And about traffic in Bangkok in general. I heard the situation is much better now than only 10-20 years ago, that traffic jams are much less. Is it true?

Thank you.

Answer 1

I would hate to think what traffic would be like without the skytrain and subway, Bangkok is still considered one of the most, if not the most congested cities in the world. I live here, and it's not unusual for a four or five mile trip to take an hour (or more) sometimes. There are certain times of the day when I won't even consider driving to certain areas because I know the traffic will be a mess. If you come here as a tourist, use the skytrain and subway as much as possible to get around, unfortunately they don't go everywhere, and you will need to take a taxi, tuk-tuk or bus to certain places. The best thing about Bangkok traffic is that you'll never complain about traffic again when you get home. Here's a skytrain and subway map to look at:
http://www.guidetothailand.com/maps-thailand/map-bangkok-subway-skytrain.htm

Answer 2

It is true that the situation now is better than it was 10 years ago, because 10 years ago the construction of the Skytrain were ongoing causing road or lane blockages while the Skytrain wasn't running. The situation today is also better than 12 years ago before the construction started.

But it is not true that the situation in Bangkok now is better than it was 20 years ago.

You cannot imagine how fast development has been.

25 years ago, Bangkok Bank's headquarter on Silom Road was Bangkok's first skyscraper. 10 years ago, that building was considered puny and insignificant.

20 years ago, driving to Bang Saen or Pattaya along the Bang Na - Trat highway (there was no elevated road or eight lane highway then) meant driving through the country side. Now, it is a long corridor of factories and manufacturing sites.

20 years ago, driving to Surat Thani would be a slow trek along a two-lane highway were trucks loaded with coconuts were heading north.

20 years ago, there actually was a klong in the middle of Sathorn Road - now it's clogged up and covered in concrete.

20 years ago, Bangkok traffic was dominated by small nifty tuk-tuks; today, it is the airconditioned taxi that is seen everywhere. The composition and the density of the road traffic in Bangkok certainly have changed to the worse over the past 20 years.

Answer 3

I started visiting Bangkok in September 2005, traffic was not so bad. I was taking taxis cause it was easy. When I visit now, I take the subway or skytrain close to where I want to go and then take a taxi. In the past couple years traffic got worse due to the price increase in gas. You would think it was the reverse, fewer traveling. Well those who lived in the suburbs moved closer to the Central Business District to live and brought their cars.

I live in the Los Angeles area, I thought we had traffic that was bad. Bangkok is worse. Traffic signals that are 400 seconds from green to green at Phetchaburi and Asok at rush hour.

The skytrain is great, a bit crowded around rush hour but, manageable. Just don't be in a rush. Trains run on time and you rarely have to wait more than 10 minutes even on a weekend.

http://www.bts.co.th/en/ticket_new.asp

I like getting the one day pass, cause coming up with change is a hassle. For 120 baht, you can travel all day on the Skytrain. If I knew I would be using the skytrain every day to get around I would get the BTS Sky Smartpass for a 100 baht and refill as needed. There is a 30 baht fee to use it.

If you want to use the subway which crosses the skytrain in a couple places. Is great to use, clean, airconditioned and safe. Cost runs around 6-8 baht per station.

http://www.bangkokmetro.co.th/en/home.asp

Beyond those 2 modes, I use taxis usually or walk.

Good luck.

Answer 4

I have recently come back from Bangkok and I have been travelling there for over twenty-five years.The sky-train has made a little difference but the traffic is just about the same.The sky-train is a wonderful experience.You are travelling above the the traffic and you can see the train from most of the hotels where you are staying.The cost to travel on the sky-train is very reasonable and can take you practically to any destination in Bangkok.When I was last there in Bangkok I boarded the sky-train and there was this handsome young man dressed in a guard's uniform and He looked like something out of a movie.I have never seen anybody looking so smart.He was dressed from head to foot in white and wearing a very smart cap just like a marine.I got off at the MBK shopping mall and the train took me almost inside the mall.What a wonderful service.

Answer 5

The situation truly is better, especially in the inner areas where there is the sky train - and now the subway.
But let's not forget: Traffic mismanagment is a main reason for the old chaos. Now and then you remain stuck in Bangkok.
Important are also the school days, as about every school kid gets driven to school. Jus now holidays started, traffic is much lighter than in September.
Also don't hit the road when it's raining - somehow that blocks the roads, but don't ask why.
But when you're staying near the sky train or subway all that doesn't matter to you, you can plan a meeting by the minute.
Enjoy -
http://absolutelyBangkok.com

Answer 6

Soi Cowboy is at Asoke BTS. However, the last time I walked past, a few weeks ago, it was all boarded up. Its been shut for many months. Khao San Road is not on the BTS. I agree with the idea to take a taxi to National Stadium and then a cab. I think going to Phaya Thai BTS station and then getting a cab would also work well and might be faster as you'd go straight down Si Ayutthaya Road which is the major road connecting Dusit (modern central Bangkok) and the Rattankosin area of Bangkok (the original Bangkok) which Khao San Road is in.

Answer 7

I have seen much less traffic in the last several months, my guess is that there is an economic slowdown as cause. But, you still never know for sure when and where you might hit a tangle. The Emporium area always runs a bit slow - but mostly the traffic jams now are closer to being traffic jelly.

Answer 8

Sky train is above the traffic. The traffic in Bangkok is very bad, i do not think that it is any better than 15 years ago.

Answer 9

Skytrain only way to go , cheap efficient , on time , and fast