Took the BTS yesterday from Khu Kot to NANA.  

 

I can tell you from experience that if they bring in the 20 baht fare, it will drive more people to drive to work than to take the BTS. Every train was packed, and at Siam, you had to wait for a second train because it was too packed.

 

Usually I can go to Nana and get on the train to Khu Kot and get a seat.  Yesterday it was crowded standing room only all the way to the second last stop.

 

Ther will be too many people this week on the trains and people are not going to be happy I can see people giving up onthe free and taking cars so they can breathe

 I first came to Pattaya i.n September 2005.

Baht bus was10 p then

I think that after  almost  20 years a pay rise for the owners of the Baht buses is reasonable.

 

This statement assumes that Pattaya prices will also rise,

.

5 hours ago, kingstonkid said:

Took the BTS yesterday from Khu Kot to NANA.  

 

I can tell you from experience that if they bring in the 20 baht fare, it will drive more people to drive to work than to take the BTS. Every train was packed, and at Siam, you had to wait for a second train because it was too packed.

 

Usually I can go to Nana and get on the train to Khu Kot and get a seat.  Yesterday it was crowded standing room only all the way to the second last stop.

 

Ther will be too many people this week on the trains and people are not going to be happy I can see people giving up onthe free and taking cars so they can breathe

Well they might squeeze in a few extra trains during peek hour when they notice, but you are thinking with a western brain its not how it works here, there thinking is accept and adapt and Thais do.

4 minutes ago, Delight said:

 I first came to Pattaya i.n September 2005.

Baht bus was10 p then

I think that after  almost  20 years a pay rise for the owners of the Baht buses is reasonable.

 

This statement assumes that Pattaya prices will also rise,

.

 

   What does the P stand for in 10 P

6 hours ago, kingstonkid said:

Took the BTS yesterday from Khu Kot to NANA.  

 

I can tell you from experience that if they bring in the 20 baht fare, it will drive more people to drive to work than to take the BTS. Every train was packed, and at Siam, you had to wait for a second train because it was too packed.

 

Usually I can go to Nana and get on the train to Khu Kot and get a seat.  Yesterday it was crowded standing room only all the way to the second last stop.

 

Ther will be too many people this week on the trains and people are not going to be happy I can see people giving up onthe free and taking cars so they can breathe

Were these thais or tourists ?

I note it's high season so is this normal for a Saturday?

1 hour ago, Delight said:

 I first came to Pattaya i.n September 2005.

Baht bus was10 p then

I think that after  almost  20 years a pay rise for the owners of the Baht buses is reasonable.

 

This statement assumes that Pattaya prices will also rise,

.

I think he is talking about the BTS railway in Bangkok not the baht bus in Pattaya!!

 

6 hours ago, kingstonkid said:

Took the BTS yesterday from Khu Kot to NANA.  

 

I can tell you from experience that if they bring in the 20 baht fare, it will drive more people to drive to work than to take the BTS. Every train was packed, and at Siam, you had to wait for a second train because it was too packed.

 

Usually I can go to Nana and get on the train to Khu Kot and get a seat.  Yesterday it was crowded standing room only all the way to the second last stop.

 

Ther will be too many people this week on the trains and people are not going to be happy I can see people giving up onthe free and taking cars so they can breathe

What time?

15 hours ago, Delight said:

 I first came to Pattaya i.n September 2005.

Baht bus was10 p then

I think that after  almost  20 years a pay rise for the owners of the Baht buses is reasonable.

 

This statement assumes that Pattaya prices will also rise,

.

The baht bus fare in Hua Hin recently rose from 10 to 15 baht.

22 hours ago, kingstonkid said:

Usually I can go to Nana and get on the train to Khu Kot and get a seat.  Yesterday it was crowded standing room only all the way to the second last stop.

Get up earlier.  The first 6am train won't be as crowded. 

 

Are you sure you lived in a city before?!? 😘

On 1/26/2025 at 8:47 AM, kingstonkid said:

Took the BTS yesterday from Khu Kot to NANA.  

 

I can tell you from experience that if they bring in the 20 baht fare, it will drive more people to drive to work than to take the BTS. Every train was packed, and at Siam, you had to wait for a second train because it was too packed.

 

Usually I can go to Nana and get on the train to Khu Kot and get a seat.  Yesterday it was crowded standing room only all the way to the second last stop.

 

Ther will be too many people this week on the trains and people are not going to be happy I can see people giving up onthe free and taking cars so they can breathe

 

 

At what time of day? 

I use the BTS every day and rarely see it packed unless I happen to use it during the morning rush (people heading into town) or 5pm-7pm when the evening rush happens as everyone heads home. 
 

Having to wait for the next train is no big deal and only really happens in rush hour.  Although of course Siam station being a major interchange and heavily used by tourists who move slowly because they don't know where they are going, is busier than most stations.
 

On 1/26/2025 at 8:47 AM, kingstonkid said:

Took the BTS yesterday from Khu Kot to NANA.  

 

I can tell you from experience that if they bring in the 20 baht fare, it will drive more people to drive to work than to take the BTS. Every train was packed, and at Siam, you had to wait for a second train because it was too packed.

 

Usually I can go to Nana and get on the train to Khu Kot and get a seat.  Yesterday it was crowded standing room only all the way to the second last stop.

 

Ther will be too many people this week on the trains and people are not going to be happy I can see people giving up onthe free and taking cars so they can breathe

     Totally agree.  Spouse and I were on the MRT yesterday, Sunday, and it was a miserable, horrible experience.  I've never seen the trains so packed.  Facebook told me today that the MRT had 451,000 more riders yesterday--I think they were all crammed into the car we were on.  Ridership on all the lines was up by huge numbers.   I can't even think what hell it must have been trying to take the Airport Rail Link out to the airport with luggage--that train ride is awful even in normal times with the huge increase in the local riders now using it--and sometimes only 3 -car trains. 

    The powers in charge make it free but did they consult with the operators first?  Did they add extra cars to the trains?  No, same 4 cars that are inadequate to passenger rider numbers even during normal, paying non-rush hour times.  Did they make the trains come at more frequent intervals?  No, it was still the same long wait between trains.  

    It's madness that they are still using 4-car trains.  Our condo is next to the Phetchaburi MRT.  This area, including the Rama 9 area, has seen huge growth in both condos built and people working here.  Just one new condo, One 9 Five, has 2000 units.  Multiply that by all the other new condo projects, throwing new riders on to the trains.  Plus, new office buildings, including a very large one next to our condo.  

     If they want to get people to give up their cars, they need to make riding public transportation a pleasant experience, not a nightmare.  We are visiting from Pattaya this week and will be using our car or taking taxis--and I'm sure we will not be the only ones.  So much for reducing pollution.

21 hours ago, Delight said:

 I first came to Pattaya i.n September 2005.

Baht bus was10 p then

I think that after  almost  20 years a pay rise for the owners of the Baht buses is reasonable.

 

This statement assumes that Pattaya prices will also rise,

.

I came in 2005 too and the baht bus fare was 

5 baht to Thais.

10 baht to farangs.

If you were thick skinned enough,5 baht and walk away rapido.

I agree though,great value.

20 hours ago, georgegeorgia said:

Were these thais or tourists ?

I note it's high season so is this normal for a Saturday?

THAIS, everybody and their sister were out on Saturday from 1-4, which is usually busy but not that busy.

The BTS at 7pm was also packed

21 hours ago, AlexRRR said:

Well they might squeeze in a few extra trains during peek hour when they notice, but you are thinking with a western brain its not how it works here, there thinking is accept and adapt and Thais do.

no, I've actually been here long enough that my Thai brain kicks in.  Also found it interesting the GF stated that she was going to go back to the minivans this week as they are cheaper and less crowded.

 

Thais will accept the long wait only because, just as in NYC or any large city, they have no alternative unless they drive or take a minivan

3 hours ago, SiSePuede419 said:

Get up earlier.  The first 6am train won't be as crowded. 

 

Are you sure you lived in a city before?!? 😘

 

 

LOL, I am not sure you have taken the BTS from a starting point at 6.  The BTS starts, and in Khu Kot, to get a seat, you usually have to wait for one train, which is not a hassle.  By the 3rd stop it is full, with the normal fee.

 

The challenge is ot going to work but for people who are in the city wanting to go home or students after school.  Starting points are easy.  MorChit, when it was the first stop, was great, but as soon as they opened Lad Phrao it started to get crazy.  

 

 

2 hours ago, Freddy42OZ said:

 

 

At what time of day? 

I use the BTS every day and rarely see it packed unless I happen to use it during the morning rush (people heading into town) or 5pm-7pm when the evening rush happens as everyone heads home. 
 

Having to wait for the next train is no big deal and only really happens in rush hour.  Although of course Siam station being a major interchange and heavily used by tourists who move slowly because they don't know where they are going, is busier than most stations.
 

 

I take it you did not use it this weekend.  how are you finding it today and as the week goes on.

4 hours ago, kingstonkid said:

 

I take it you did not use it this weekend.  how are you finding it today and as the week goes on.

 
I used it quite a bit on Friday and again on Saturday around 3pm when I went from Sukhumvit 103 to Saphan Taksin to take a boat to my friend's condo.

I didn't notice it being any busier than I've seen it before. 

I haven't needed to use it this week.

On 1/26/2025 at 2:27 PM, Delight said:

 I first came to Pattaya i.n September 2005.

Baht bus was10 p then

I think that after  almost  20 years a pay rise for the owners of the Baht buses is reasonable.

 

This statement assumes that Pattaya prices will also rise,

.

Have you only read the headline and assumed the world revolves around Pattaya ?

The story is about Bangkok BTS reducing their fares and nothing to do with Pattaya baht buses increasing their prices 🙄

On 1/26/2025 at 2:27 PM, Delight said:

 I first came to Pattaya i.n September 2005.

Baht bus was10 p then

I think that after  almost  20 years a pay rise for the owners of the Baht buses is reasonable.

 

This statement assumes that Pattaya prices will also rise,

 

You'll notice on almost all BTS and MRT stations, they designed the platform and the doors to board the train so that they could provide longer trains. Of course this was a political move, and they never actually intended to make longer trains than they already had.

People I Japan and china seem to manage 

I used to commute by train and Underground in London. It was much the same as Bangkok in rush hour. You get used to it and, if you can, time your travel outside peak periods. 

 

A pal used to be a senior person in a British rail company and can, if not quickly suppressed, talk at length about rolling stock logistics ... The short version is that adding more carriages to a train is not as easy as you think. 

 

6 minutes ago, Andyfez said:

You'll notice on almost all BTS and MRT stations, they designed the platform and the doors to board the train so that they could provide longer trains. Of course this was a political move, and they never actually intended to make longer trains than they already had.

     Airport Rail Link, too.  I remember the first time my spouse and I took the ARL as newbies.  We had luggage so we decided to line up at one of the train entrance arrows far from everyone else.  Train guy came over and set us straight as to the shortness of the train  The longer trains should have been added years ago.  The government supposedly wants more people on the trains and out of their cars--but has done nothing to accommodate the many more riders the system has gained in the years since its been open.  

Yes, it will work. Don´t worry about that. You are free to take the car if you have one. ;-) 

On 1/27/2025 at 9:34 AM, newnative said:

. 

    The powers in charge make it free but did they consult with the operators first?  Did they add extra cars to the trains?  No, same 4 cars that are inadequate to passenger rider numbers even during normal, paying non-rush hour times.  Did they make the trains come at more frequent intervals?  No, it was still the same long wait between trains.  

   

 

Do they have extra cars? These are fixed length trains that can't easily have extra cars added, even if they were avaiable. I have often wondered why they don't buy extra cars especially the pitifully short ARL trains. The platform lengths will accomodate longer trains. It just comes down to money.

High season is bad enough, but BKK is teeming with tourists for Chinese New Year.

All trains maxed out all the time, unless you are in the suburbs.

Add a free week to the mix and you have a nightmare.

On 1/26/2025 at 3:28 PM, georgegeorgia said:

Were these thais or tourists ?

I note it's high season so is this normal for a Saturday?

...and Chinese NY of course. Holiday attraction in China Town.

6 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

...and Chinese NY of course. Holiday attraction in China Town.

 

BTS does not go anywhere near chinatown  but it is interesting to note that Sat and Sunday were the 2 highes pm2.5 days last week.

 

No matter what though the 20 baht fair is not going to work for people because there are other options.  Also add in that many of the stops that have parking donot have enough for all the cars that presently go there.  That is another pain for people.

"will never"

 

I'm in Thailand too long already to believe these 2 words.🤣

Reading all above I don't understand why my many trips are always pleasant 🙂

Maybe pure luck?

I even take this to DMK;

Jomtien bus to BKK, then Air Link to Makkasan, then short walk to Phetchaburi Metro and continue to Main Train Station and finally 1 short train hop to DMK.

Works great! All for about 300 THB. And as fast or faster than taxi in rush hour.

 

 

 

Just now, GypsyT said:

Reading all above I don't understand why my many trips are always pleasant 🙂

Maybe pure luck?

I even take this to DMK;

Jomtien bus to BKK, then Air Link to Makkasan, then short walk to Phetchaburi Metro and continue to Main Train Station and finally 1 short train hop to DMK.

Works great! All for about 300 THB. And as fast or faster than taxi in rush hour.

 

 

 

 

Because you don't work and don't struggle. BTS is packed. 

 

Or maybe you live in bumfuk nowhere like srinakarin or Samut prakan