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BTS Skytrain
The SkyTrain and Subway are the best way to beat the traffic and pollution, but the trains get packed during rush hour. However, the skytrain and subway cover mainly the central Bangkok area, not the suburbs. The skytrain opened in December 1999 and has two lines covering the central business districts of Sukhumvit, Phloenchit, Silom, and Sathorn (many expats live and work along these 4 roads), and then going up thru Victory Monument and out to Chatuchak, near the Mo Chit provincial bus terminal. The SkyTrain maps and fares are at the Bangkok Transit System (BTS) web site. The English language version is at http://www.bts.co.th/en/index.asp . The fares range from 10 to 40 baht.
Another website of ours, www.ssBKK.com , introduces entertainment and business places near the Skytrain stations and subway stations. SS = Skytrain Stations, Subway Stations, Sukhumvit Sois, Sathorn and Silom ... and the Suburban Side of greater Bangkok (BKK). The skytrain is fast, but at rush hour in the morning and the evening, the trains sometimes get packed. You can usually squeeze on, but if you don't like crowded trains then you may want to adjust your schedule accordingly. (Same goes for the traffic in general, as well as the buses.) The skytrain company needs to add more cars. The platform and system is designed for it, and you can see lots of space on both ends of the trains plus the markings for the doors at some stations, but they just won't invest in new cars yet (though they are investing in expansion of the network). Packed at rush hour:
(To answer a frequently asked question: No, the Sky Train does not go to the airport, but it can get you past a lot of traffic on the way if need be, if you're starting from the other end of the line. Usually, however, the new freeway system should be your destination. You can take the SkyTrain to the Phloenchit or Victory Monument stations where the SkyTrain intersects the expressway, and take a taxi from there.) A station worth noting is Victory Monument, which is the big central hub of bus transportation for Bangkok, and also where an elevated expressway intersects the skytrain route. Many smart people who live in the northwestern suburbs take expressway buses to Victory Monument, and the skytrain from Victory Monument. You can transfer at Victory Monument to buses going practically anywhere! For example, I work and live in Muang Thong Thani, a 20 minute minivan ride from Victory Monument, as noted at www.MTTBKK.com The last skytrain leaves the first station around 12 midnight. However, if you plan on taking the last train, then you should get a ticket in advance. I have found that at some stations, the coin operated ticket machines go Out Of Order around 11pm and the staff won't help you. Thus, you can arrive at the station well before the last train(s), but can't get a pass to take them! This happened to me, and the staff were not helpful, unless I wanted to buy a 1 month pass or somesuch. Thus, if I plan to return on a late train, I buy an extra pass before I leave the station earlier that day/night.
The subway is run by a somewhat different organization, the MRTA. However, their website at www.mrta.co.th didn't have much information on their subway. The best source for subway information is on a hobbyist site at The subway runs predominantly thru Thai areas, and intersects the skytrain at the Asoke station and at Chatuchak. The subway mostly runs under the road Ratchadapisek (aka Asoke when near Sukhumvit), then turns west down Rama 4 Rd. Additional subways are planned for construction starting in 2005, for opening in 2009. There are various maps out about where they are going, but we've seen so many plans change dramatically, and too many people being confused by outdated information which gets verbally repeated, that I'll wait until construction begins before covering this topic. Are you looking for apartments or condos near the Skytrain, for rent or for sale?
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