Commute From Bangkapi To Asoke

[corkman]

Hi All,

Been researching the possible places to live in Bangkok - the Bangkapi area seems to have some nice, good value places. Approximately, how long would it take to commute to/from there to/from the intersection of New Phetchaburi Rd. / Asoke - by various forms of transport i.e. train / boat / cab / personal car / etc.?

Many thanks......

[trogers]

Depends on which part of Bangkapi you start off from. Sukaphiban 1, 2 or 3? Or Ram road, or Lard Prao, or Srinakarin.

[Briggsy]

Very much depends what time of day.

Rush hour means you gotta take the boat or spend a long time in the traffic. The boat in the rush hour is packed out though.

[rgs2001uk]

You can forget the train, there isnt one.

Cab or personal car will take the same time, also depends where you are starting from, however at certain times of the day, Ramkhamhaeng road is gridlock, you would need to go down this to turn right onto praram 9 and then turn left onto Petchaburi, the other alternative is to go straight to Khlong Tan and turn right onto Petchaburi and then head for Asoke, Petchaburi is also notorious for traffic at certain times.

The best route may well be the boat, assuming you get on at The mall Bang Kapi, should take about 20-25 minutes to reach Asoke.

The boats are fast and plentiful, however I believe they stop running about 7 pm.

[Briggsy]

Weekdays - last trip from Pratu Nam at 8:30. Last trip from Wat Sri Boon Reuang 7:15.

Boats finish earlier on Saturdays and Sundays.

[trogers]

Bangkapi area seems to have some nice, good value places

You have not discovered some hidden gem unknown to most foreigners...

It is the time wasted to commute daily from and to this location that rental are relatively cheap. If you want rentals at half the rates of Bangkapi, you can try along Suvintawong road, 30km beyond Bangkapi, along Seri Thai towards Nong Chok.

If you commute by taxi or personal car, add taxi or fuel cost to the rental rate, plus the hours wasted, and see if the equation still tilts towards 'good value places'.

[Portlandstone]

Doesn't bus #40 go this route?

[corkman]

Bangkapi area seems to have some nice, good value places

If you commute by taxi or personal car, add taxi or fuel cost to the rental rate, plus the hours wasted, and see if the equation still tilts towards 'good value places'.

This had crossed my mind..... an extra 10,000 baht seems allot at first, but when fuel is factored in as you say, and an extra 10 hours of my life wasted each week commuting, then the saving is somewhat mitigated!!!

I do not know the residential aspects of Bangkok very well (obviously) - but I am trying to strike a ballance between the negatives of the commute and the positives of living outside the city from a "family" point of view - i.e. a nicer place to live for my wife and child with less pollution and more open spaces and less Bkk city centre madness while I am at work, and a nicer place for me to enjoy family time e.g. I am thinking "outdoors" time, in the garden with the little one, walking to the shop without getting the "handsome man" and "you want tuk tuk" routine.

To that end - I don't know what specific areas to be looking...... the only preferences at the moment is that it would be a satisfactory commute and a house with outdoor space other than a balcony. Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

[SAMCHAROEN]

Why stay in Bangkapi area when you need to commute to Asoke ? I would choose Sukhumvit area .

There are all kinds of rental price ranges available in Sukhumvit.

There are lots of apartments in Suk 71 and upwards where the rents are around 3-4k per month ++ .

Needless to say that there are the pricey ones too in abundence in Suk area.

The reason being that you will have easy access to the bts - you not only save your time but reach your place of work / business in tip-top shape .

And as far as commuting by cab daily - I personally dont like using the cab too often because the drivers here dont let you sit in peace . Most of them want to start to chat with you and they all ask the same questions "Where you come from ?" "How is the weather in your country?" "Does your home city/country have problem of traffic jam ?" etc etc....

So stay in Sukhumvit .. you'll be better off.

[trogers]

Bangkapi area seems to have some nice, good value places

If you commute by taxi or personal car, add taxi or fuel cost to the rental rate, plus the hours wasted, and see if the equation still tilts towards 'good value places'.

This had crossed my mind..... an extra 10,000 baht seems allot at first, but when fuel is factored in as you say, and an extra 10 hours of my life wasted each week commuting, then the saving is somewhat mitigated!!!

I do not know the residential aspects of Bangkok very well (obviously) - but I am trying to strike a ballance between the negatives of the commute and the positives of living outside the city from a "family" point of view - i.e. a nicer place to live for my wife and child with less pollution and more open spaces and less Bkk city centre madness while I am at work, and a nicer place for me to enjoy family time e.g. I am thinking "outdoors" time, in the garden with the little one, walking to the shop without getting the "handsome man" and "you want tuk tuk" routine.

To that end - I don't know what specific areas to be looking...... the only preferences at the moment is that it would be a satisfactory commute and a house with outdoor space other than a balcony. Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

I am in a 2-bedroom condo unit at Prakhanong, about 600m inside a soi from the main road. Far enough from the main road to avoid noise and pollution of traffic. Though it is not a house with its own garden, the condo project has large garden space with a children's playground, and two 20m long pool - one for adults and the other for kids.

This condo unit of mine is already booked by a tenant with 2 young kids - one 6-month old and the other almost 2 years. But there are a few other units available if you are interested. It is a balance for a home suitable for a young family and yet convenient for you to get to the office and back. Only 30 mins to BTS Asoke including walking time to BTS Prakhanong (12mins).

Rental rates for the 2-bedroom units available range from Bt16k to 20k depending on furnishing and view. Mine is leased out at Bt25k including internet, cable TV and maid cleaning service.

[corkman]

Thanks for the replies again folks.

The "plan" is to stay close to the office for the first month or two, during which time the Mrs. can get out and about and view various areas as well as individual properties.

We have thought long and hard about this, and neither of us fancy long term living in an apartment for a multitude of reasons..... one of which is that we enjoy sitting outdoors..... maybe not when it is hot hot hot, but during more barable months, like the outdoor space..... and space to ourselves sort of thing. I know we do not have to go out as far as bangkapi to get that - but there is the eternal balance of cost versus location versus standard of accomodation etc.

[trogers]

Thanks for the replies again folks.

The "plan" is to stay close to the office for the first month or two, during which time the Mrs. can get out and about and view various areas as well as individual properties.

We have thought long and hard about this, and neither of us fancy long term living in an apartment for a multitude of reasons..... one of which is that we enjoy sitting outdoors..... maybe not when it is hot hot hot, but during more barable months, like the outdoor space..... and space to ourselves sort of thing. I know we do not have to go out as far as bangkapi to get that - but there is the eternal balance of cost versus location versus standard of accomodation etc.

If you are still inclined towards a single house with its garden, the better location would be in Bangna-trad area as the BTS Sukhumvit line is already extended to pass this area and probably be opened for service by middle of next year. In the mean time, you can catch a cab to their present last BTS station at Onnut to get into town.

[trogers]

The "plan" is to stay close to the office for the first month or two, during which time the Mrs. can get out and about and view various areas as well as individual properties.

One important point to consider in selecting residence in a landed property is the social class of the neighbourhood and the quality of security.

There are too many incident of burglary in sub-forums of Pattaya, Phuket, etc. some involving life and limbs.

[corkman]

One important point to consider in selecting residence in a landed property is the social class of the neighbourhood and the quality of security.

There are too many incident of burglary in sub-forums of Pattaya, Phuket, etc. some involving life and limbs.

This is something which I am very conscious of, but neglected to mention. I was hoping to get something in a mooban with good security - in your opinion is this a "safe" option?

[beltman]

We are living out in Ramintra area. over the past couple of year we have had road construction creating new links to expressways.

Generally i can be in the Asoke are within 30 to 60 mins dependant on the time of day. Rush hour kicks of around 6:45am so if you leave home around 6am you could actually be in Asoke within 30 mins.

Picking a moo ban with security is important saftey for you, your family, your home and car.

The moo ban where we live has a small park and swimming pool perfect for the kids, if your wife is Thai she will like the area lots of markets to buy the groceries 7/11 every where. but alos have some upscale shoping area Crystal park, J avenue along with Big C tesco ect. 10 min drive to fashion island a big mall or 10 mins in the other direction you have a central.

Rents range from 15k for a town house in a moo ban up to 25k for a single house sometimes more.

All in all i find Ramintra a decent place to live with a family.

[trogers]

When I was working on project sites in Rama 3 back in the late 90s, I too had lost time for the family. Stayed at Bangna-trad, and worked in Rama 3, and drove myself on the expressway.

Had to wake up at 5.30am, leave the house by 6.15am and got to the project site before 7am. If I were to leave at 6.40am, I would barely make it to the site before 8am.

Got home around 7.30pm and got into bed by 10.30pm for the next morning.

[dddave]

Doesn't bus #40 go this route?

It does, as does the #501 but from Bang Kapi, the morning commute by bus could be well over two hours.

I pick up the 40 or 501 about halfway down Suk. 71 and from there it can be 45 min to an hour to Asoke in morning traffic.

Edited January 17, 2010 by dddave

[corkman]

We are living out in Ramintra area. over the past couple of year we have had road construction creating new links to expressways.

Generally i can be in the Asoke are within 30 to 60 mins dependant on the time of day. Rush hour kicks of around 6:45am so if you leave home around 6am you could actually be in Asoke within 30 mins.

Picking a moo ban with security is important saftey for you, your family, your home and car.

The moo ban where we live has a small park and swimming pool perfect for the kids, if your wife is Thai she will like the area lots of markets to buy the groceries 7/11 every where. but alos have some upscale shoping area Crystal park, J avenue along with Big C tesco ect. 10 min drive to fashion island a big mall or 10 mins in the other direction you have a central.

Rents range from 15k for a town house in a moo ban up to 25k for a single house sometimes more.

All in all i find Ramintra a decent place to live with a family.

This is excellent information - thank you very much. Sounds ideal to be honest. J avenue is on Thonglor isn't it? Or maybe Ekamai? But, yes, you have descirbed the kind of compromise that I am hoping to find.

[corkman]

When I was working on project sites in Rama 3 back in the late 90s, I too had lost time for the family. Stayed at Bangna-trad, and worked in Rama 3, and drove myself on the expressway.

Had to wake up at 5.30am, leave the house by 6.15am and got to the project site before 7am. If I were to leave at 6.40am, I would barely make it to the site before 8am.

Got home around 7.30pm and got into bed by 10.30pm for the next morning.

It was hardly worth going home!!! OMG - that is shocking!!! I think I might have to see if I can rent a room in the office basement and keep the family there LOL !!!

[jdinasia]

You may want to keep the Rama9/Airport corridor in mind as well. (Close to Bangkapi) Hop over to the closest city-link terminal and get off right at your destination.

[beltman]

We are living out in Ramintra area. over the past couple of year we have had road construction creating new links to expressways.

Generally i can be in the Asoke are within 30 to 60 mins dependant on the time of day. Rush hour kicks of around 6:45am so if you leave home around 6am you could actually be in Asoke within 30 mins.

Picking a moo ban with security is important saftey for you, your family, your home and car.

The moo ban where we live has a small park and swimming pool perfect for the kids, if your wife is Thai she will like the area lots of markets to buy the groceries 7/11 every where. but alos have some upscale shoping area Crystal park, J avenue along with Big C tesco ect. 10 min drive to fashion island a big mall or 10 mins in the other direction you have a central.

Rents range from 15k for a town house in a moo ban up to 25k for a single house sometimes more.

All in all i find Ramintra a decent place to live with a family.

This is excellent information - thank you very much. Sounds ideal to be honest. J avenue is on Thonglor isn't it? Or maybe Ekamai? But, yes, you have descirbed the kind of compromise that I am hoping to find.

The J avenue in Ramintra is new only been open about 4 months, yep also a J avanue on Tonglor (the original). The one in Ramintra has a villa, starbuck's ect.

We made the move out here around 6 years ago after living on Tonglor for 6 years, best thing i ever did.

[rgs2001uk]

Thanks for the replies again folks.

The "plan" is to stay close to the office for the first month or two, during which time the Mrs. can get out and about and view various areas as well as individual properties.

We have thought long and hard about this, and neither of us fancy long term living in an apartment for a multitude of reasons..... one of which is that we enjoy sitting outdoors..... maybe not when it is hot hot hot, but during more barable months, like the outdoor space..... and space to ourselves sort of thing. I know we do not have to go out as far as bangkapi to get that - but there is the eternal balance of cost versus location versus standard of accomodation etc.

If you are still inclined towards a single house with its garden, the better location would be in Bangna-trad area as the BTS Sukhumvit line is already extended to pass this area and probably be opened for service by middle of next year. In the mean time, you can catch a cab to their present last BTS station at Onnut to get into town.

Strange most recommend going east, why not consider going north of Asoke, areas such as Huai Kwang on Ratchada and Lat Prao are both on the underground line and will drop the op off at Asoke.

Is the op buying or renting?

[trogers]

Strange most recommend going east, why not consider going north of Asoke, areas such as Huai Kwang on Ratchada and Lat Prao are both on the underground line and will drop the op off at Asoke.

Is the op buying or renting?

OP is looking to rent landed property. Social group of neighbourhood and security is a major consideration, and is different from a condo project. Huai kwang and Lard Prao area along Rachada is more local and do have problems with drugs and gambling.

[corkman]

Thank you everyone for the many replies to this post. I have been evaluating everyones input and have been trying to decide on some closer search parameters.

My place of work is at the MRT end of Asoke, along Phetchaburi Road; so the BTS is less favourable as it would mean changing at Asoke/Suk and getting the MRT to Phetchaburi. Note I say "less favourable" and not "undesirable"

I am amenable to somewhere with connectivity via the railway line (the line that runs parallel to the new Airport Link), or to anywhere suitable on the MRT line. I am also open to anywhere that is with say 30-40 minutes drive (office hours 8am to 5pm).

Just to recap, our requiements are:

- A House or Townhouse, with a small garden.

- To be located in a Mooban, with good Security.

- To be in a nice area (it need not be "posh" or "snobby", just safe, friendly, and clean).

Any further suggestions, input, or comments would be greatly appreciated.