Bangkok soon to be a megacity

[webfact]

Bangkok soon to be a megacity

By THE NATION

 

 

Industry experts revealed at the recent Thailand Tourism Forum that Bangkok is on the cusp of emerging as the world’s next “megacity”. Within five years, the rapid expansion of Bangkok’s subway system will succeed in opening up unprecedented spaces and with it huge opportunities for the travel and tourism industry.

 

The forecast isn’t been lost on real-estate developer Sansiri, which will bring one of the most dynamic New York hospitality brands to Bangkok – the Standard – in a major foray into hospitality.

 

Sansiri chief executive Apichart Chutrakul gave the opening address at the forum, on “Megacity Bangkok – A Tourism and Hotel Futurescape”.

 

Bill Barnett, managing director of C9 Hotelworks and a forum coorganiser, said the metro line across Greater Bangkok would be 464 kilometres long in five years. 

 

“This will surpass London, which stands at 402km with their underground, and New York City’s 380km subway system. The great promise of the East has now become the new West. Important will be the access to three international, interconnected airports – Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang and Utapao.” 

 

Jesper Palmqvist, director of global research firm STR, said Bangkok was on “a strong growth trajectory” in terms of hotels and infrastructure.

 

“With almost three years of stable growth in terms of hotel performance, Bangkok has firmly put the 2014 decline far behind. By November 2017, RevPAR had grown 3.4 per cent year-over-year, and this against a backdrop of some reasonable strong supply increase at 4.1 per cent. 

 

“The impressive numbers are held up by an ever-stable demand growth of around 5 per cent for 18 months after the comeback in 2015, but hotels have also been able to increase rates by more than 2 per cent, even with new competing product coming to market. But it’s not just shortterm – no less than seven of the months in 2017 saw 10-year records in absolute RevPAR performance.” 

 

Other speakers and panellists included Dillip Rajakarier of Minor Hotel Group, Supoj Chaiwatsirikul of IconSiam, Nikhom Jensiriratanakorn of Horwath HTL, Thomas Schmelter of IHG Group and Mike Batchelor of JLL.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/lifestyle/30336992

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-01-26

[johng]

"the metro line across Greater Bangkok would be 464 kilometres long in five years"

Yeah right !

[NCC1701A]

"Within five years, the rapid expansion of Bangkok’s subway system will succeed in opening up unprecedented spaces and with it huge opportunities for the travel and tourism industry."

 

yes, just what I was thinking the last time I was on the BTS, packed in like a sardine.

Edited January 26, 2018 by NCC1701A

[watcharacters]

 

 

 

Given Bangkok's congestion I thought it already was a "megacity".

[NCC1701A]

"He say you Blade Runner."

Edited January 26, 2018 by NCC1701A

[trainman34014]

Sunken Megacity that is !

[johng]

The lost (maga)city of Bankok-tis

[Darcula]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Industry experts

 

Translation - property touts.

[klauskunkel]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

the rapid expansion of Bangkok’s subway system will succeed in opening up unprecedented spaces

sinkholes 

[MaxLee]

 

I'd rather say THIS is the Bangkok of the near future,.......

[Krataiboy]

So global warming is just a myth, then.

 

Bangkok Is Sinking and May Be Underwater in 15 Years, Study Says 

https://weather.com/science/.../news/bangkok-sinking-subsidence-warming-15-years

27 Jul 2015 - A new report says Thailand's capital city could be underwater in 15 years, thanks to a combination of land subsidence and rising global sea levels. ... Should it continue at this rate for the rest of this century, by 2100 "Bangkok will be fully submerged and unliveable," the Global Post reports. 

[Baerboxer]

5 hours ago, johng said:

"the metro line across Greater Bangkok would be 464 kilometres long in five years"

Yeah right !

 

Ah ha! That's what the submarines are needed for! The underground will be under the sea with all this extra building going on.

[quandow]

Gawd - now Thailand will become the hub of megacities.

 

 

[ExpatOilWorker]

Bangkok is paradise, but only a true genius will understand that.

 

Isaan is like an empty canvas, you can do and paint anything you want, that is if you have the talent.

Bangkok is like one of these strange Picasso painting. You just lean back and enjoy every moment of it. There is beauty and complexity everywhere.

[rascalman]

However it has been stated by some engineering people say that Bangkok will be under water? I won't be around but hope not going to happen, oh I am sick and old!

[RichardColeman]

More Aquacity than megacity. 

[timendres]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

the East has now become the new West

 Please! Stop. I can't breathe.

[rickudon]

2 hours ago, Krataiboy said:

So global warming is just a myth, then.

 

Bangkok Is Sinking and May Be Underwater in 15 Years, Study Says 

https://weather.com/science/.../news/bangkok-sinking-subsidence-warming-15-years

27 Jul 2015 - A new report says Thailand's capital city could be underwater in 15 years, thanks to a combination of land subsidence and rising global sea levels. ... Should it continue at this rate for the rest of this century, by 2100 "Bangkok will be fully submerged and unliveable," the Global Post reports. 

Some exaggeration, as see by my highlighted text. So maybe in 82 years, not 15. And that is only if nothing is done. Mind you, by 2030 I think flooding will be more frequent - if nothing is done.

[anon537687643]

“Rapid expansion of subway line”? Extended one line to over the river! I mean c’mon the majority of city in inaccessible by mass transport system


Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect

[Moti24]

"Within five years, the rapid expansion of Bangkok’s subway system will succeed in opening up unprecedented spaces and with it huge opportunities for the travel and tourism industry."

 

Will the flippers and snorkel be issued at the airports, or will there be a mad panic to buy them from the local market!

[Wake Up]

6 hours ago, DLang said:

Unfortunately it will still be s.h!thole. 

Nothing personal but I really have to laugh out loud at comments like yours and others. Some TV posters love to say all things in Thailand and Thai people are bad on a daily basis and then other TV posters complain that they can’t live and stay  in Thailand any more doing tourist visa runs.

 

There are two Thailands. The one most of us enjoy, respect and appreciate. And then there is the Thailand that you and others spout hatred and predict its doom and gloom but continue to live here.  Hard for me to understand people waking up everyday in a place they hate and don’t respect. Try being a little thankful that this country allows you to live as a guest here and does not send you home. One day you and others may get your wish and be escorted to the border to live happily ever after elsewhere. Peace 

Edited January 26, 2018 by Wake Up

[Orton Rd]

40 minutes ago, Wake Up said:

 

 

There are two Thailands. The one most of us enjoy, respect and appreciate. And then there is the Thailand that you and others spout hatred and predict its doom and gloom but continue to live here. 

It does not mean you hate it if you point out it's shortcomings, the last thing it needs is to get a lot larger. It's a badly planned, poorly built dirty polluted sprawl as it is, and that would just go on. Where are all the parks and open spaces, the libraries or theaters? can't think of any in Thonburi. If people left it would still be the corrupt third world place it is now with soi dogs, rubbish and prostitutes all over the place. There is not a lot to respect here really, certainly not these fantasy future predictions of a mega city, more like a mega slum.

Edited January 26, 2018 by Orton Rd

[ExpatOilWorker]

19 hours ago, Orton Rd said:

It does not mean you hate it if you point out it's shortcomings, the last thing it needs is to get a lot larger. It's a badly planned, poorly built dirty polluted sprawl as it is, and that would just go on. Where are all the parks and open spaces, the libraries or theaters? can't think of any in Thonburi. If people left it would still be the corrupt third world place it is now with soi dogs, rubbish and prostitutes all over the place. There is not a lot to respect here really, certainly not these fantasy future predictions of a mega city, more like a mega slum.

You need to get out more. Bangkok have all of the above and more.

[Orton Rd]

26 minutes ago, ExpatOilWorker said:

You need to get out more. Bangkok have all of the above and more.

You have never been across the river then, you need to get out of Sukhumvit!

[StayinThailand2much]

13 hours ago, johng said:

"the metro line across Greater Bangkok would be 464 kilometres long in five years"

Yeah right !

If you believe that, you'll believe anything!  And what does that have to do with 'megacity' anyhow? Except for the sewage-filled, flooded roads after 15 minutes of heavy rain. 'Megaslum' or 'mega-traffic chaos' are the more appropriate attributes for Bangkok... 

Edited January 26, 2018 by StayinThailand2much

[richard_smith237]

3 hours ago, Orton Rd said:

It does not mean you hate it if you point out it's shortcomings, the last thing it needs is to get a lot larger. It's a badly planned, poorly built dirty polluted sprawl as it is, and that would just go on. Where are all the parks and open spaces, the libraries or theaters? can't think of any in Thonburi. If people left it would still be the corrupt third world place it is now with soi dogs, rubbish and prostitutes all over the place. There is not a lot to respect here really, certainly not these fantasy future predictions of a mega city, more like a mega slum.

 

Lumpini Park, Benjakitti Park, Chatuchak Park, Benchasiri Park, Queen Sirikit Park, Santiphap Park, Saranrom Park, Princess Mother Memorial Park, Wachiraben Park, Chuvit Gardens... 

 

Taco Lake, Thai Wake Park, Nong Bon Water Sports Center...

 

TCDC Resource Centre, Bangkok City Library, Alliance Francaise Bangkok Media Library, BACC Art Library, Neilson Hays Library, Pridi Banomyong Library, TK Park, The Reading Room, TCDC Commons Ideo Q,  William Warren Library, Bank of Thailand Library....

 

National Theatre, Siam Niramit Theatre, Thailand Culture Centre... 

Admittedly - the Theatre scene in Bangkok is pretty poor compared to other Major Capital Cities... But I have managed to see Chicago, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, The Phantom of the Opera... 

 

(BTW: Hate to be a spelling Nazi - but if you were really into culture you'd spell Theatre correctly !!...  just sayin' & Jokin')

 

A handful of International Rock / Pop stars have also played Live in Bangkok...

 

Bangkok has Excellent International Schools, it has a vibrant night life, its easy to mix with like minded individuals both Thai and Western... 

 

Its easy to live a very, very normal life in Bangkok... 

 

Its Traffic woes are awful, but are mirrored in many other major City destinations in Thailand and Worldwide. Flash flooding is also terrible, but also occurs in other major cities in Thailand.

 

The Pollution was recently terrible (the worst I've known in 20 years in Bangkok), year round its pretty good, much better than burn season 'up country'... and better than KL and Hong Kong which has recently come under a lot of criticism....

 

Prices are much higher in Bangkok for Accommodation etc... but it is a Capital City, and as a Capital City it does the things the neighboring cities can't...  But, it does get a poor rep from some and it makes me wonder why....  because when some voice their distaste for Bangkok they often use flawed arguments..... 

 

Really... if a city isn't for you, neither is Bangkok but that definitely doesn't make Bangkok a Sh$%hole..  it just means its 'not your cup of tea'....

 

 

 

 

Edited January 26, 2018 by richard_smith237

[ThaiTrav]

18 hours ago, johng said:

"the metro line across Greater Bangkok would be 464 kilometres long in five years"

Yeah right !

I thought Bangkok was supposedly sinking and was predicted to be underwater in years to come ? mabey they're setting it up for the fish or diving community!

[Reigntax]

20 hours ago, watcharacters said:

 

 

 

Given Bangkok's congestion I thought it already was a "megacity".

I think you mean cluster <deleted>?

[lamyai3]

2 hours ago, Reigntax said:

I think you mean cluster <deleted>?

Most megacities fit this description. Nestling in the world's top ten... Delhi, Jakarta, Beijing, Manila, Karachi, Mumbai.... 

[jerojero]

Dreaming big! But still a dream.