Suvarnabhumi Airport Link - What A Mess!

[pepi2005]

It's like everything in Thailand: 85%.

Some great ideas for projects, events or improvements, but at the end, the responsible people stop thinking at ~ 85%, so almost nothing in this country is done really professional.

The Airport link would have been a great thing to have, but with these prices and the flaws in the actual way the connection is implemented, it's a 'luxury thing' (if someone has time and pays quite a lot given the time it takes and problems involved) to use these services. After giving it a try and experiencing the hassle, most people will just continue to use the taxis, I guess.

[DP25]

Well i need to open my mouth on this.. Webfact has disinformation at least on one issue. I just yesterday used City Link from Makkasan to Phayathai and I did not have any problems to walk from Airport link station to Phayathai BTS station.

There are bridge between those stations and no need to go on street level.

--jp

Yeah, I don't know where the author got that, the stations are connected now. I'm quite happy with the airport train, it's great for getting to and from the airport and as a metro line

[profkaizen]

No, i don't agree with the author at all. I don't know what agenda he had for condemning the new airport link.

I just flew back to Malaysia from Bangkok. I was one of the first users on that link. The train is smooth sailing, so to speak, linking BTS station Phaya Thai to Shuvannabhumi airport.

It was wrong for the author to say that it was not linked to any BTS station! There is a large and wide gateway and walkway [flat to facilitate easy lugging of luggage] right from the concourse

of the link into the BTS station [Phaya Thai] . One could just walk, after alighting from the train, right up to the BTS ticket pedestal with ease. On the other end, the train just stop right into the terminal building where

one just walk up the big and large walkway into the airport terminal building.

BTW, the fare for one way is just only THB 15 [dirt cheap to travel 30 km by train]

What's more would you expect?? Come to Malaysia and compare, you will be disgusted and disappointed with what Malaysian railways has to offer.

[nullx8]

The initial post may right at some places, but this is not somethings like a suprise at all, as noted, the project was planned for many years, planning failures could ne corrected (but someone needed to have thae balls to do so)

So everything normal

I heared some voices told me the reason for the huge delays was a pricing issue between Siemens and the wrongly choosen suplier for electricity systems, which resulted in 3 times higher electricity costs.

So guess someone gets now very rich, and the goverment fetch it up by msking the SRT the operator for the link.

Business as usual.

Also may noted the useless and very big stations like latkrabang who is gonna board there?

[suki]

Somebody been writing this article from afar, I tried the express train out yesterday and it was suprisingly stress free. Can't see where the trains are looking old and out of date and if you've got baggage why not use the lift instead of heaving them up the stairs and as for not connected to ANY airport I know people call Suvarnabhumi a lot of things but it IS an airport and the station is connected directly inside the building.

It's not fully functional yet as said the baggage check ins not open and it all looks a bit empty and half completed but theres signs up for shops and cafes so I imagine these are yet to come, the fare is only 100 baht same day return at the moment or 15 baht single on the city line so lets just wait till it's completed and the fares are increased to 150 single.

Personally if theres two of you travelling I'd prefer a taxi door to door for a little extra, don't think the wife would be too happy changing transports with bags in tow but if your coming into town peak time it's just as easy to take the train as a taxi, be in the centre in 15 minutes and take your taxi from there.

[whybother]

Does the train actually stop at Sruvanabhumi airport? Is it a matter of getting off the train close to or inside the terminal building?

Inside the terminal building.

[PatLogan]

What's more would you expect?? Come to Malaysia and compare, you will be disgusted and disappointed with what Malaysian railways has to offer.

While I do agree on Malaysian railways at a whole, the issue here is the Airport train. Of course the one in KL ain't that cheap (35RM, for about 80km distance), but from your experience, can I expect the same kind of ride?

[marquess]

The link really should have started from Bang Su as there is a lot of free land around there and a lot of space to park too. As well it being near the abandoned Hopewell Project, which would have meant that you could have extended it easily in the future. People rarely think when they do things around here and never want to listen to anyone either, as they seem to be born knowing everything.

[thaiedward]

Obviously a boondoggle, made worse by not being able to tell superiors about improvements

so they won't lose face, nor make changes to the plan for the same reasons. Over and above

the usual monetary slight of hand. A cock-up in one language and a cluster-fuc_k in another....

one that no fiscal Viagra will adequately deal with. It simply is incapable of meeting design criteria.

Hotel taxi to airport direct will remain the chosen mode,

except for the 'unwanted' backpacker set, for the foreseeable future.

LOS Land Of Sadness.

Dear Animatic:

I think you know how some of us enjoy your posts. Your disgruntlement disturbs me inasmuch as my hopes for SkyTrain's success were, perhaps, too high.

While uncertain of the 'bricks & mortar/concrete' issues of the project, it's been published that the 'controls' portion was executed by Siemens (not too tatty) and that Siemens/Group Schneider had been penalized for failure to perform on schedule.

My hope is that the system can perform to spec...someday, at least.

Until I hear otherwise, I'll follow the recommendation to "hop-a-crab' before wrestling with my luggage.

Regards

[stub]

Wow, I am really surprised that so many things were missed with this. A couple of glitches are usual for big projects, but this is ridiculous. So much money wasted...

TheWalkingMan

There is no surprise. It had to be built, because that is how you transfer the money into your pockets. But it couldn't actually be useful, because then the existing concession holders would be pissed. The whole project is an amazing success. Huge amounts of cash has been spent with the right companies, it is working well enough to save face, but does not threaten lowering the profits of the limo and taxi monopolies. Or did you think the idea was to transport people?

[whybother]

If you catch an airport express train (or equivalent bus) in any city in the world from the airport to the central location, you still need to get to your hotel. That usually requires a taxi or walking with your luggage, either to the hotel or to the local transport system and then to the hotel. Walking anywhere with your luggage is usually not easy.

Even if there were good connections from the SRT to the BTS and MRT, you still need to get to your hotel from the BTS/MRT station. There are a couple of hotels that have direct connections, but most require at least a 5-10 minute walk, or usually a taxi.

So, this is no different to most airport express systems. Some have good connections. Some don't.

This one still requires a lot of work around Makkasan station, but if there are reasonable connections to the surrounding roads, it beats sitting on the "express" way in peak hour or rain affected traffic.

The location may not suit everyone, but what location would?

Edited August 26, 2010 by whybother

[Mitker]

Hey, if you don't like it, don't use it! Continue to take your taxis and leave more room for those of us who believe in public transportation.........it will be a much more comfortable and relaxing ride without your grumbling!

I will use it because I do believe in public transportation.

But sure, each time, I will think about all the wasted money , where it went , and what could have been done if used efficiently

[DP25]

The location may not suit everyone, but what location would?

I think for many, the project would always have been considered a failure unless they offered express service directly in to Nana Plaza

[ewansayang]

No, i don't agree with the author at all. I don't know what agenda he had for condemning the new airport link.

I just flew back to Malaysia from Bangkok. I was one of the first users on that link. The train is smooth sailing, so to speak, linking BTS station Phaya Thai to Shuvannabhumi airport.

It was wrong for the author to say that it was not linked to any BTS station! There is a large and wide gateway and walkway [flat to facilitate easy lugging of luggage] right from the concourse

of the link into the BTS station [Phaya Thai] . One could just walk, after alighting from the train, right up to the BTS ticket pedestal with ease. On the other end, the train just stop right into the terminal building where

one just walk up the big and large walkway into the airport terminal building.

BTW, the fare for one way is just only THB 15 [dirt cheap to travel 30 km by train]

What's more would you expect?? Come to Malaysia and compare, you will be disgusted and disappointed with what Malaysian railways has to offer.

Clearly the author used the service last from Phaya Thai station during the trial run when the large walkway from airport link to the BTS was yet to open. It was a hassle having to go down to the street and make your way back up again. Now that both stations are connected, it would be a breeze.

I agree with you on the 15baht fare for the 30km journey (with no train change). It's dirt cheap. In comparison, KLIA Transit 'commuter train' in Kuala Lumpur requires one to take a train to, say, Putrajaya (RM6+), then alight there, buy another ticket to KL Sentral (RM9+) and wait for another train (20 minutes) to save 50% of the RM35 express fare. That's for a journey of 75km. Therefore km-by-km, Suvarnabhumi's airport link is far cheaper. In Thailand it's state-run whereas in Kuala Lumpur, it's state-crony-run. :-D

[pete_r]

Was the article commissioned by the airport taxi society, perchance?

[misterme]

This is not good journalism. It's more like a mediocre editorial, full of unsubstantiated opinions.

...inacurate in many areas, if I may add.

The only purpose I see of posting it as a thread topic is to troll for negative responses to the project.

Let the thread take its own direction. Airport Rail Link, like most things in Thailand has some good and some bad. (Dai Yang, Sia Yang)

[Robby nz]

What a wonderful opertunity for the Thai bashers on this forum.

Go for it fellas.

Makes me wonder why you live in this country, or dont you?

[PatLogan]

I agree with you on the 15baht fare for the 30km journey (with no train change). It's dirt cheap. In comparison, KLIA Transit 'commuter train' in Kuala Lumpur requires one to take a train to, say, Putrajaya (RM6+), then alight there, buy another ticket to KL Sentral (RM9+) and wait for another train (20 minutes) to save 50% of the RM35 express fare. That's for a journey of 75km. Therefore km-by-km, Suvarnabhumi's airport link is far cheaper. In Thailand it's state-run whereas in Kuala Lumpur, it's state-crony-run. :-D

Last time I checked people travelling on such a tight budget that they would do that to save RM15 on a trip to the airport were not taking the train, but the RM9 bus to LCCT

[ChangMaiSausage]

I for one will try it next time I'm travelling alone, as pointed out by many it will come good give it time. Whop cares about old looking trains if all works correctly getting from A to B comes to mind.

[ewansayang]

I agree with you on the 15baht fare for the 30km journey (with no train change). It's dirt cheap. In comparison, KLIA Transit 'commuter train' in Kuala Lumpur requires one to take a train to, say, Putrajaya (RM6+), then alight there, buy another ticket to KL Sentral (RM9+) and wait for another train (20 minutes) to save 50% of the RM35 express fare. That's for a journey of 75km. Therefore km-by-km, Suvarnabhumi's airport link is far cheaper. In Thailand it's state-run whereas in Kuala Lumpur, it's state-crony-run. :-D

Last time I checked people travelling on such a tight budget that they would do that to save RM15 on a trip to the airport were not taking the train, but the RM9 bus to LCCT

Yeah, the bus would be a better option for budget-strapped travellers. But since we're still on the subject of taking the airport train...

[dddave]

I guess I shouldn't be surprised that most of the bloviating blowhards that jumped on the bandwagon, condemming the new Airport Link hadn't even ridden on it yet.

Yesterday, I did and found it to be clean, (OK, the white cars do show dirt on the outside.)fast and efficient.

I took the local train (B15) both ways, starting and finishing at Rhamkhamhang Station. The platform was clean and well marked. There is a clock which tells when the next train will arrive: a nice touch.

The Express from Makkasan precedes the local and makes quite a "whoosh" as it speeds through the station.

The interior of the cars is very much like the MRT and BTS, parallel bench seats along both sides. They did shorten some of the benches at both ends of the car to allow space for baggage.

The doors do close "with authority", certainly a loud thud but guards were vigilant making sure nobody tried to squeeze in at the last second. The ride was quiet and smooth.

It was apparent that local residents living around the new stations close to the airport were already using the link as a way to get in and out of Bangkok.

My only real complaint is that just like the BTS, there are almost no DOWN escalators: 100 plus steps from the platform to the street is not fun on old knees such as mine, nor would I want to have to carry a heavy suitcase such a long way down.

[dbman]

I think it makes it cheap & easy for airport staff to get to work & not a lot else.

One wonders how many billion baht were raked off the top as kick-backs?

powderpuff - Is that a cb1000 I see?

[LuckyLew]

Is this the same Thailand that wants to hold the World Expo in 2020?

[PatLogan]

My only real complaint is that just like the BTS, there are almost no DOWN escalators: 100 plus steps from the platform to the street is not fun on old knees such as mine, nor would I want to have to carry a heavy suitcase such a long way down.

You just gave me a very good reason not to try it. No way I carry my 20kg suitcase such a long way down...

[geovalin]

Where is it possible to find a MAP? A simple MAP of Bangkok with the EXACT locations of the station with exits.

I found this one on an American site.Not bad but too small and in Thai. http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/426/46600361pu9.jpg

Also this site http://www.bangkokairporttrain.com/ very very poor. Probably not the official site. No map and the schedules are just blur pictures taken with a bad digital camera.

[laurentbkk]

I meant exactly what you meant ...... better to take taxi from airport,who wants to be stuck in makasan area during rush hours.

I am not surprise at all but we have to give them time to re think about all details ,after all similar problems happened when they opened the new airport. But who are to be blame for such silly details ? I guess the architects who didn't think about luggage for travelers ( that's a joke knowing this is an airport link) . After all its still better , faster to take a taxi to the city center. Who want to be stuck in traffic after flying so long ? :angry:

"After all its still better, faster to take a taxi to the city center"

Umm, so let me understand this. The "Airport Link" is not connected to the actual airport so you need to find transportation there. You wait for a train for an uncertain amount of time due to delays and such. When you arrive at the "downtown" station, you have to take a taxi to your final destination. This whole time you are carrying your luggage around, being accosted by touts trying to sell you things, and in the BKK heat.

Whereas myself, I'll walk out of the arrivals hall, jump in a taxi with my luggage, take the highway and arrive at my home on Sukhumvit for 220 baht plus 50 surcharge.

I'll take the second option thanks

[MyphuketLife]

It's like everything in Thailand: 85%.

Some great ideas for projects, events or improvements, but at the end, the responsible people stop thinking at ~ 85%, so almost nothing in this country is done really professional.

The Airport link would have been a great thing to have, but with these prices and the flaws in the actual way the connection is implemented, it's a 'luxury thing' (if someone has time and pays quite a lot given the time it takes and problems involved) to use these services. After giving it a try and experiencing the hassle, most people will just continue to use the taxis, I guess.

85%?? I think your being overly optimistic with that high of a figure.

[Phuket Stan]

Hey, if you don't like it, don't use it! Continue to take your taxis and leave more room for those of us who believe in public transportation.........it will be a much more comfortable and relaxing ride without your grumbling!

I will use it because I do believe in public transportation.

But sure, each time, I will think about all the wasted money , where it went , and what could have been done if used efficiently

I agree with what u say

However I used it yesterday at 5pm to come in from the airport hauling 15kg bag...then got into BTS and was in Siam Square much quicker than any taxi at that time of day...it will work....some fine tuning to do but will get there and be a great asset to those who travel further than a bar stool

[jfchandler]

WOW!!!!

What's amazing to me, more than the obvious problems with the ARL, is that the original post in this thread was written by a THAI author in a mainstream Thai publication -- not by all of us whining farangs.... (Webfact just posts the news accounts, he doesn't write or control them).

Everything pretty much called out in the OP are things all of us have recognized... But to have a Thai writer banging on it so forcefully, I thought I was dreaming!!!

[dantilley]

A very inaccurate article, a bit surprised that it's not only been posted on this site, but also emailed round to the whole member database. Some examples:

Despite its name, the Airport Rail Link isn't actually connected to any airport.

Yes it is - it's connected to the ground floor of Suvarnabhumi Airport.

What’s worse, the station does not even connect with a BTS station which is just a short distance away.

There is a bridge linking the terminal station with Phaya Thai BTS station.

Whoever is thinking about boarding the Airport Link train at the Makasan Station to Suvarnabhumi Airport should give it a second thought, because they could miss their flights. If anything, using the motorway could be a better choice.

I can't imagine that anywhere in Bangkok will travelling by road be quicker than by elevated train, especially given the traffic problems at Makkasan mentioned above. Why would anyone near Makkasan station choose to go by road rather than train if time is an issue?

Moreover, travelers are not safe from hassles when they travel via the rail link to the international airport. They have to heave their luggages upstairs from the train station in order to check in at the airline counters on the forth floors.

No-one will have to heave their bags up stairs, there are lifts and escalators from the train station level up to the check-in level.