Bangkok bus stops get ‘smart’ with video screens, free WiFi

By The Nation

 

The pilot bus stop to be completely installed by July 30. Photo credit: Earth Pongsakorn Kwanmuang 's Facebook.

 

New “smart” bus stops will be rolled out across Bangkok from tomorrow (July 30), featuring video arrivals screens, free WiFi and mobile charging, and security cameras.

 

The 350 new stops will be installed over the next 12 months and also help protect commuters from city pollution, said the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) at today’s launch ceremony.

 

BMA spokesman Pongsakorn Kwanmuang unveiled the pilot bus stop opening tomorrow at Fortune Town shopping mall, complete with CCTV, a screen showing bus times and routes, and free charging and WiFi.

 

One hundred full-function bus stops will feature a 55-inch screen for BMA news, bus times, routes and transport connections; CCTV camera, electric light, mobile phone charger, and WiFi.

 

Another 250 “lite” bus stops will have the same equipment minus the 55-inch display and WiFi.

 

Billboard operator Plan B Media is responsible for upgrading, construction and maintenance of the smart stops at a cost of Bt400 million in return for rights to advertise there for 10 years. It will deliver 350 units by April 2021.

 

The BMA then plans to upgrade the remaining 2,650 bus stops in the city.

 

The first 10 full-function smart bus stops will be installed over the next 90 days along Ratchadapisek Road.

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30392106

 

-- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2020-07-29

 

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22 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

Billboard operator Plan B Media is responsible for upgrading, construction and maintenance of the smart stops at a cost of Bt400 million in return for rights to advertise there for 10 years.

I wonder how intrusive the adverts will be, and if there's going to be sound as well?

That would drive me nuts if I was forced to listen to them while waiting for a bus.

Will there a limit on the amount of adverts per hour, for example?

 

 

Edited July 29, 20206 yr by bluesofa

1 hour ago, bluesofa said:

I wonder how intrusive the adverts will be, and if there's going to be sound as well?

That would drive me nuts if I was forced to listen to them while waiting for a bus.

Will there a limit on the amount of adverts per hour, for example?

 

 

Don't worry, it will only work intermittantly for a month or two and then will be abandoned, however the sidewalk will be blocked for years by the decaying structure.  

14 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

New “smart” bus stops will be rolled out across Bangkok from tomorrow (July 30), featuring video arrivals screens, free WiFi and mobile charging,

 

 

They will also make "new normal" shelters and living space...for the increasing number of Bangkok’s "smart" homeless.

 

 

 

Edited July 30, 20206 yr by Hayduke

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

New “smart” bus stops will be rolled out across Bangkok from tomorrow (July 30), featuring video arrivals screens, free WiFi and mobile charging, and security cameras.

Will they last longer than the last ones ?

I just love the dichotomy here between these "Smart" bus stops with all their technology and then you get on a non-aircon bus with wooden floors and wobbly ceiling fans. Pretty much a metaphor for the whole country.

58 minutes ago, phkauf said:

I just love the dichotomy here between these "Smart" bus stops with all their technology and then you get on a non-aircon bus with wooden floors and wobbly ceiling fans. Pretty much a metaphor for the whole country.

Plus, no matter where the bus stop is located the buses will stop 10 meters before the bus stop, unless it is slightly inconvenient for them to stop in which case they will just drive on past. 

 

imagine smart ads, that show what you browsed on your phone recently

29 minutes ago, ricklev said:

Plus, no matter where the bus stop is located the buses will stop 10 meters before the bus stop, unless it is slightly inconvenient for them to stop in which case they will just drive on past. 

 

So true! 

You have wifi, so you smart ?

 

I understand now why people are so much stupid with a smartphone in hand (but believe to be smart)

Too bad the buses themselves are un-airconditioned horrors.

How many "dossers" will become residents for the free WiFi???

 

Quote

Billboard operator Plan B Media is responsible for upgrading, construction and maintenance of the smart stops at a cost of Bt400 million in return for rights to advertise there for 10 years. It will deliver 350 units by April 2021.

Does anyone know if this project is paid for by the government, or if Plan B is doing this at their own cost in exchange for the advertising rights over the next 10 years? This is suggested above, but not clear. Thanks!