Suvarnabhumi Airport Link - What A Mess!

[fishhooks]

Is it feasible, ease & cost, to get a taxi from the Soi 3/4 Sukhumvit area to the downtown Airport Link station and continue on by train?

Or better just to do the whole trip by taxi, seeing it's only a few minutes onto the expressway from this area.

I'm asking in terms of 2 persons travelling!

What about the reverse from Airport to Sukhumvit?

Edited August 27, 2010 by fishhooks

[whybother]

Is it feasible, ease & cost, to get a taxi from the Soi 3/4 Sukhumvit area to the downtown Airport Link station and continue on by train?

Or better just to do the whole trip by taxi, seeing it's only a few minutes onto the expressway from this area.

I'm asking in terms of 2 persons travelling!

What about the reverse from Airport to Sukhumvit?

Depends on the time of day, but overall, it's not easy to get to Petchaburi from Soi 3/4 with out going down Wittayu or Asoke. I think I would take the express way all the way to the airport. Reverse - similar issues.

Does anyone what road connections there are into/out of Makkasan? I have only seen entrances/exits of Asoke/Ratchada. There is some work being done on a U-turn under the express way from the Ratchada exit, but I don't think there is a way to get to Makkasan Station from there (yet). And it would be good if there are connections onto Kamphaeng Phet 7 which would make it really easy to get to Suk Soi 3, or from Wittayu/Petchaburi without going to the Petchaburi/Asoke intersection.

Edited August 27, 2010 by whybother

[SomTumTiger]

Thailand never gets things right on the first attempt. Why should this be any different. Not sure what all the fuss is about.

[Humphrey Bear]

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

I built the terminal building, not the rail link, so I may be wrong on this.

But the original design was that the link rail line had a terminal below and connected to the airport terminal. We left an access for it when we completed the terminal.

[teatree]

Is there 'park and ride' at any of the airport link stations?

[pgthompson]

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

There is no train from LCCT !! You can catch a bus to KL Sentral for RM8 or from KLIA RM10

[rubl]

Even if the Airport Link had been 100% perfect we would have seen complaints here. Keeps people happy. Just remember that BTS has improved tremendously over the last 10 years, MRT over the last five. With the Airport Link it will be the same. Only with real use start real requirements and if it's commercial viable solutions will follow. In the mean time ...

Edited August 27, 2010 by rubl

[starbaseone]

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 agree. If you don't like it, then sit yourself in traffic, and let the rest of us use it. I've used the link several times, and found no problem with it. Yes, it's missing a red-card promenade to take you from one station to the BTS, but I have 2 legs, I can walk.

As for the Hong Kong train comparison, are you joking? It's a nightmare in HK, and their train only takes you to the least likely places you need to go. NONE of the hotels on the actual HK Island are connected or near. Are you confusig Kowloon with HK?

Good day. Spread a smile.

[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

There is no train from LCCT !! You can catch a bus to KL Sentral for RM8 or from KLIA RM10

Well I think I mentioned a bus to LCCT, not a train... Let me make it clearer: if people are on such a tighe budget that they have to save 15RM on the transportation to the aiport, they most probably travel by Air Asia and then don't go to KLIA but to LCCT (or to Subang if they use Firefly)

[thaimelody]

How many posting have used the service itself? Try before you moan about the usual things. I will use it next month with an open mind.

Martin

[politepoet]

'In perspective of Thai Railway History'

I am baffled how many railway experts suddenly came to daylight after submerging in the city. After many years of almost standstill the Thai Railways succeed in making a leap forwards. The real problem, or course of complaining if one want, is running a deck below on level ground; the ordinary old fashion line to Chachoengsao and beyond and with it the rest of the slightly more than 4000 km network the SRT - State Railways of Thailand on the moment explore in a more or less deplorable manner due to the lack of investment or real interest from the political side. It's still a company 100 % own by the state and not a private one, so all funds will be taxpayer's money. In my opinion a well spend choice.

The railway workers are not the blame, they try with all means and improvisation to keep the trains rolling. But a rolling train for a non trained eye per se is a perfect train. The network as it is operation today resembles a museum railway. On itself nothing wrong with but if desired a historian should be the general manager. First a little inside of the past, because without looking at the past one will never understand what happen today.

It was the great king Chulalongkorn, Rama the fifth, who hired the Germans to lay the first tracks. Standard gauge or more precise 1435 mm (measured from the inside between two railheads). Unfortunately in 1917 Thailand declare war with Germany and all workers could no longer proceed. The British took over and while there meanwhile build system in Malaysia measured 1000 mm (meter gauge) so the line from Thonburi till the boarder was done. It was not before building the Rama VI Bridge any problem occur but once in place and both networks connected there was. A difference of 435 mm, how big a problem can be?

However, by that time one decided that meter would be the standard and the originally existing standard tracks would be regauged. It took more than ten years to complete the task first by adding a third rail in between. No talks about waist of energy, time, money or what so ever, after the operation the Thai Railways fall in a deep but beautiful sleep. Things were kept in place by ordinary maintenance but the infrastructure hardly changed. To cut it short, that's the situation we're are in today. The airport express link is the awakening, again a standard gauge line but this time electrified, after the Pak Nam Railway, Thailand's second.

The political focus indeed is focused extremely on Bangkok hopefully this will not kill the rest of the network in the end. Next time when you ride the line till Phaya Thai, go down the stairs till street level, cross and on the other side you'll find the platform for the trains to and from the East. Wait and take one to the Hua Lamphong station but not before you've turned your head and seen the already existing infrastructure for any extension. That's the point where all the complaints should be about. A swift deciding and no longer linger in the pain of unforfilled self interest by some (but who knows how many) civil servants.

Edited August 27, 2010 by politepoet

[BSJ]

I don't know if I will ever use it, but it is good to know it is there if I did need it. As for the cost....it's almost unbelievable!

[zanny]

I used the airport link a few days ago and this is my experience:

This is my first time in Thailand and I was there for 30 days. Whilst there I heard about the airport link through watching TV so as I always like to try different transport I thought I would give it a go.

I got a great deal at the Meridian through Wotif so we left there at around 5pm and walked for about 8 minutes to get to Sam Yam MRT station. At the station there was a guard and a metal detector, the guard forced me to take off my 70L backpack and open it up so he could look inside, also with my 30L backpack. After this we just missed the train so had to wait for the next one.

The trip to Phetchaburi took about 10 minutes but it was hard to get off due to the peak hour squeeze. There was no signage on the train that indicated which station to get off, it was only due to the map from the concierge that I knew where to get off.

On arrival at Phetchaburi station there was no signage about where to go, no little plane symbols, no arrow no nothing. I found an information booth and asked where to go and was told exit 3 and walk 300 metres. Great, I thought....

So I found exit 3 and there was one sandwich board there that said Airport this way. I go up the elevator and arrive on street level and am totally disorientated. I had no idea what direction to walk in, left, right, straight across the road.... there was absolutely no signage anywhere (it is actually to the left at street level). My girlfriend was carrying a heavy (for her) bag and she did not want to walk as I already made her walk to Sam Yam station, so I just hailed a taxi. I asked him to take me to airport link and he did not know what I meant, so luckily my thai girlfriend explained and we got inside.

So he points to this big aircraft hanger thing in the sky but he has no idea where exactly to go to get inside, he turns left down the street before the terminal so we waste time going about 300 metres before doing a U-turn and heading back for the main road. He then stops and asks some motorcycle taxi guys where to go and the point out the entry. We see a line of people walking to the terminal from the MRT station, it really is like a 250 metre outside walk, with no delineated pathway, movable walkway, nothing like that.

So we drive in and the security guard tells our driver to go left and up to level 3, so we drive left even though the painted arrows on the ground are pointing back towards us indicating we are going the wrong way. So up we go slowly through an empty car park up to level 3 and I pay the taxi 45 baht and we are finally inside. Totally dead as a doornail - it looks like an empty airport at 3am, except for a few security guards. I walk up to the ticket window and pay my 2x 100 baht express tickets and the guy selling tickets can barely speak english, as I try to ask when the next train leaves, how often they run, where is the toilet. Finally figure out 7 minutes until the next train, and the toilets are further ahead. No digital signs, no mention of whether the slower train that stops along the way also departs from this station. We were running late so I just went express.

We go up to the platform and I am looking for the toilets, I cannot find any, or signs. I think maybe there are toilets on the train like a limited express in Japan, so we jump on, no toilets. The security guards there don't speak english so my girlfriend finds out that the toilets are before the ticket counter and I have 5 minutes to run there and back. We take our bags off the train just in case and I bolt back down to take a piss. I do mouth off at the ticket guy on the way past telling him 'you told me the wrong info', did my business and we got back on the train.

My carriage was empty except for a Japanese salaryman who I imagine was an unimpressed as me by the quality of the train, but at least he had no luggage to deal with. There were maybe 10 people on the whole train. When we got to the airport, we still had to take an escalator and find an elevator to get us up to Departures on level 4.

All up I have to say that this thing is really not ready for primetime. The most disappointing thing was that there was no signage on the MRT trains or announcements on where to get off. Practically zero signage at Phetchaburi about where to go, which exit, a staff member keeping an eye out for tourists with baggage, nothing. No signage on street level, no free minibus, no arrows, no walkway.

All up a disappointing experience.

[Hardie]

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.

"Unwanted backpacker set"? Nice insult... were you born an a**hole, or do you just practice a lot? Unwanted by whom, a bunch of drunk old fat farts nursing their final erections? Two can play the insult game...

[SomTumTiger]

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.

"Unwanted backpacker set"? Nice insult... were you born an a**hole, or do you just practice a lot? Unwanted by whom, a bunch of drunk old fat farts nursing their final erections? Two can play the insult game...

Put the beer down, Hardie, pick up a dictionary, and look up the word "Sarcasm". Then notice the quotes around Animatic's use of the word "unwanted", and try to understand the long history of the Thai government trying ot cater to the "hiso' tourists - then you'll understand what he was saying.

Perhaps you should try the kiddy pool, before you you try to insult one of the smartest guys on the forum (Animatic, not me lol)

[tw25rw]

How many of those being negative have actually ridden on the thing?

I did - 2 months ago when they were running trials - and it was fine. Very easy at the airport end (free at the time). A pain in the arse at Phayathai, but the bridge wasn't in place then. Once Makkasan gets established and the area becomes more of a focus, things will much improve.

[Hardie]

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.

"Unwanted backpacker set"? Nice insult... were you born an a**hole, or do you just practice a lot? Unwanted by whom, a bunch of drunk old fat farts nursing their final erections? Two can play the insult game...

Put the beer down, Hardie, pick up a dictionary, and look up the word "Sarcasm". Then notice the quotes around Animatic's use of the word "unwanted", and try to understand the long history of the Thai government trying ot cater to the "hiso' tourists - then you'll understand what he was saying.

Perhaps you should try the kiddy pool, before you you try to insult one of the smartest guys on the forum (Animatic, not me lol)

Chill, dude, i was just being facetious- look it up- can't you tell?

[balo]

Where can I find the airlink terminal from inside the airport ?

I will try it on Tuesday , and is it running 24 hours ? I think my plane will land at 4 a.m in the morning....

Edited August 27, 2010 by balo

[Wozzit]

The BTS as we know is already massively overcrowded, and i pity the poor sod fresh off a 16 hour flight trying to find a spac for him, his wife, kids and bags on the 6pm BTS on a friday evening. The railway link will work, i think to BTS bit won't.

Absolutely correct, The BTS and the MRT are now very overcrowded at rush hours. Some posters have pointed out that the BTS will start putting on 4-carriage trains. How long, I wonder, has the BTS authority been aware of the Airport Train service? Longer than most of us, I am sure. So why have they waited until now to put on the 4-carriage trains? These should have been in service long before now, but as so often happens, no one has taken the responsibility for making the decision in time. Even with 4 carriages - and remember these will only be on "some" trains, not all - there are going to be a lot of very frustrated Airport Train passengers angry that they and their luggage just cannot get on board.

As for the Hong Kong train comparison, are you joking? It's a nightmare in HK, and their train only takes you to the least likely places you need to go. NONE of the hotels on the actual HK Island are connected or near. Are you confusig Kowloon with HK?

Hong Kong a nightmare? That in itself is a huge joke! You clearly have little experience of Hong Kong, for its one of the most user friendly airport train systems anywhere. The AIrport Express stops at three urban centres, including Kowloon and Hong Kong. At Hong Kong station, you link under the same rood with the subway system which takes you to much of the urban area (apart from the west and south of the island). At Kowloon and Hong Kong stations, Airport Express passengers have free shuttle bus door-to-door service to a large number of hotels. If that's not good enough for you, the taxi facilities are there - once again under the same roof. Unless it is peak rush hour or typhoon-type rain, I never have to wait more than a few minutes.

Edited August 27, 2010 by Wozzit

[politepoet]

Where can I find the airlink terminal from inside the airport ?

I will try it on Tuesday , and is it running 24 hours ? I think my plane will land at 4 a.m in the morning....

Go to the lowest floor the one were the Airport Buses are leaving, there you'll see the signs to another floor below on the right side of the terminal building. The buses are in the far left. The trains are kept in the cellar. No, it's not running 24 hours, as far as I understand it starts 06.00 in the morning. With a bit bad luck at the customs and lugguage collection you're just in time for the first ride.

Edited August 27, 2010 by politepoet

[Thai at Heart]

Departing, it will catch on for locals or experienced expats working or living downtown. For tourists, lugging luggage around in the heat, practical for a given (10%) percentage of tourists.

Entering - when it is 300 baht door to door by taxi, it won't catch on until the same trip is at least charged at 1000 baht. No way someone wants to change transportation with luggage 2 or 3 times to get home or go to their hotel.

[Dap]

Is anyone surprised? I've heard that the rails were fast but this was before the actual opening. The pricing had better be at most 50 baht per person for all the inconveniences with luggage and logistics and typical 'not-convenient- for-the-user' Thai infrastructure. 200-250 baht door to door with taking metered taxis is much better without the inconveniences. When you're budgeting that much money for a mega-project for the country, you'd better have it all planned out well. It's only in Thailand where they 'do' before 'thinking' about results and consequences. In Thailand they are known for creating and starting new events and projects, but never good at maintaining and finishing. The Thai government should learn from Singapore or Hong Kong, or any other country for that matter. Let's see what happens in the next year on this rail line.

Plan???? What plan ????

[andyww]

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?

And by who? Sino Thai are the construction contractor but the hardware trains controls etc. are supplied by Siemens!Didn't they recently pay a record fine in US for international corrupt practices?

The trains are standard Siemens Desiro, as used on several UK commuter lines. They have a very good reputation in the industry for reliability and solid build. They are typically German, being well engineered but rather boring in styling.

The doors do close with a thump but thats because they are "plug doors" and have a very tight air seal to avoid noise and wind resistance.

As for corrupt practices, would not like to comment, but what is definitely fact is that the BKK MRT trains were originally ordered from Alsthom, and that order was mysteriously cancelled at the last minute and re-ordered from Siemems at much higher cost. Everyone knows the reason.

As far as not getting it exactly right on opening, anyone from the UK had better remember what happened when Heathrow Terminal 5 opened before criticizing the Thais.

Edited August 28, 2010 by andyww

[Cuchulainn]

We used the new link on Friday from Swampy to Ramkhamhaeng. Trolleys weren't allowed on the ramp down to the trains. Fair enough, no airport does, but there were no signs saying otherwise!! I was halfway down the ramp when a guard started shouting at me that trolleys weren't allowed. The train was quick and we arrived at Ram station within 15 mins. Then the shit fight began!! After a 12 hour flight from London, we really wanted to lug 2 big suitcases and 2 shoulder bags down 4 flights of stairs as the lifts were broken or not in service. Then getting a taxi (I thought they would queue up underneath the station waiting for passengers) was a night mare as most taxis were already full when passing. OK, this was nothing to do with the airport link train, but it added to our frustration overall!

Generally, I would say YES, take the train if you have light/carry on luggage only. Otherwise, take a taxi.

[yoshiwara]

The BTS as we know is already massively overcrowded, and i pity the poor sod fresh off a 16 hour flight trying to find a spac for him, his wife, kids and bags on the 6pm BTS on a friday evening. The railway link will work, i think to BTS bit won't.

Absolutely correct, The BTS and the MRT are now very overcrowded at rush hours. Some posters have pointed out that the BTS will start putting on 4-carriage trains. How long, I wonder, has the BTS authority been aware of the Airport Train service? Longer than most of us, I am sure. So why have they waited until now to put on the 4-carriage trains? These should have been in service long before now, but as so often happens, no one has taken the responsibility for making the decision in time. Even with 4 carriages - and remember these will only be on "some" trains, not all - there are going to be a lot of very frustrated Airport Train passengers angry that they and their luggage just cannot get on board.

As for the Hong Kong train comparison, are you joking? It's a nightmare in HK, and their train only takes you to the least likely places you need to go. NONE of the hotels on the actual HK Island are connected or near. Are you confusig Kowloon with HK?

Hong Kong a nightmare? That in itself is a huge joke! You clearly have little experience of Hong Kong, for its one of the most user friendly airport train systems anywhere. The AIrport Express stops at three urban centres, including Kowloon and Hong Kong. At Hong Kong station, you link under the same rood with the subway system which takes you to much of the urban area (apart from the west and south of the island). At Kowloon and Hong Kong stations, Airport Express passengers have free shuttle bus door-to-door service to a large number of hotels. If that's not good enough for you, the taxi facilities are there - once again under the same roof. Unless it is peak rush hour or typhoon-type rain, I never have to wait more than a few minutes.

Yes starbaseone has little understanding of HK.

The shuttle bus only connects with selected hotels from either Kowloon or HK Station, but since one can wait for up to 20 minutes for a ride, it is probably as easy to get a taxi to one's desired destination. In rush hours waiting for a taxi can be a problem so unless one has a family in tow a walk to the linked MTR and then a cab at the other end is possible or even avoid the airport express altogether and take one of the frequent airport buses directly from the airport.

For BKK the best bet may be to take the train as far as it goes when arriving and then a cab. Why people are making a meal out of this I don't know, but if there is any uncertainty about reliability of the service then a cab to the airport when one is catching a plane takes care of that one.

[drtreelove]

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

Yes, it stops inside the terminal on a basement level. I had no problem taking the train from the airport and transfering to the BTS at PhayaThai for destination Phra Kanong, with luggage. Smooth trip, nothing to grumble about. (Not peak commute hour.)

Edited August 29, 2010 by drtreelove

[whybother]

We used the new link on Friday from Swampy to Ramkhamhaeng. Trolleys weren't allowed on the ramp down to the trains. Fair enough, no airport does, but there were no signs saying otherwise!! I was halfway down the ramp when a guard started shouting at me that trolleys weren't allowed. The train was quick and we arrived at Ram station within 15 mins. Then the shit fight began!! After a 12 hour flight from London, we really wanted to lug 2 big suitcases and 2 shoulder bags down 4 flights of stairs as the lifts were broken or not in service. Then getting a taxi (I thought they would queue up underneath the station waiting for passengers) was a night mare as most taxis were already full when passing. OK, this was nothing to do with the airport link train, but it added to our frustration overall!

Generally, I would say YES, take the train if you have light/carry on luggage only. Otherwise, take a taxi.

None of the commuter stations (Airport City line, BTS or MRT) cater for large suitcases, and most of the time you would still need to catch a taxi to get to you final destination anyway.

So I would add, take the train to a COMMUTER station if you have light/carry on luggage only (that includes any BTS or MRT station), but take the express train to the city terminal (Makkasan) and catch a taxi from there IF you have large suitcases AND if that is more convenient for you.

Everyone's situation is different. Everyone is coming from or going to different locations, so Makkasan is not going to suit everyone. If it's convenient for you to get to or from Makkasan station, then the Airport Express is probably suitable for you. Taking a train for 15 minutes has got to be better than sitting in traffic for 40 minutes (or an hour and 40 minutes during peak or rain affected traffic).

[hunghung]

Enjoy the cheap transport while you can. I don't think 15B even covers the variable cost per person.

Perhaps the cheap fare is used to make people feel the poor construction may be forgiven and to help people involved escape inquiry.

[politepoet]

'A philosphical thought'

I am still wondering of the nitpickers do have a clue where the new railway system was mend for others than fierce complaint like a spoiled kid that just have been given a new toy and after ample playing, or in some cases not playing at all, starts criticizing the quality. There's nothing wrong with the quality and you cannot deploy Pullman cars on a line like this. The plush seats ands teak wood design belongs definitely the past. By that time we were there in a complete other number and although this seems to be without any connection in fact it's well related. The new railway for all is a Mass Rapid Transport system in emphasizing the first word. That means for the time being you'll have to minimize your self. Especially during rush hours. It's no wonder why the locals along the line take this train instead the old one running below. The matter of turning yourself off is the same only the duration makes the difference.

Furthermore it's only the beginning, it's screaming for extension and so do the BTS and MRTA. Not before the network is complete and that means a well connected series of lines and not three separate ones running from somewhere to nowhere but for some a desired destination. Things are on their way but it would be a perfect waist leaving the already build and finished infrastructure idle till the moment of completeness is there.

And talking about Mass transportation, someone ever experienced a rush hour trip on the underground system of Beijing or trains in Japan with staff outside to push as many as possible people in an already brimful train. Herrings in a barrel and no room for individuality. Squeezed in the way we want to live together. I could sketch a science fiction situation in a more or less philosophical thought. We outnumber ourselves by which we also desire to live as close as close with another as possible. I only say one thing; a mega-metropolis based on yesteryears values is doomed to drawn in the success apparently it is.

Edited August 29, 2010 by politepoet

[hughben]

The city line - I have no complaints about.

As my hotel is near Ramkhamhaeng I used the city line and it was great. Much better than a taxi driver and his broken meter.

There was torrential rain when I arrived at the airport, and I felt much safer in the train carriage than on the road in a speeding tail kissing taxi that has back seat belts that don't work.

Getting into the city centre has never been easier.

It got me from Ramkhamhaeng to PhayaThai in about ten minutes.

I would however like them to install information on the each floor of the stations informing us of the times the next trains leave.

Plus there needs to be maps of the city and surrounding areas in stations and there are no maps on the trains either.

It is early days.

The express train - although I haven't used it, I don't see the point unless your hotel is near the terminal station.