Today I went through the BTS gates with a few shopping bags after tapping my card for entry. I always go through as quickly as possible because I have been hit/assaulted by those dangerous barriers twice before already. Today it wasnt even a second before it snapped shut on me again with enough force to break a small womens or childs femur. Luckily I am a large guy and it only left large bruises on both sides of my leg.

I now realize it read my bags as one person and thought I was a second person trying to slip through and thus slammed shut. Very, very dangerous if it slams shut on pregnant ladies stomach or crushes a small childs head. I've witnessed one other lady have her hips slammed on as well as she grimaced rubbing her hip.

Has anyone else been assaulted by these things??? I would suggest keeping your bags close to your body so that it doesnt read as a second person, and go through as fast as you can.

Like you I got hit ... though ... 'snapped shut on me again with enough force to break a small womens or childs femur' ... is a touch dramatic, don't you think?

I asked the Thais about this ...

Just 'lift' the bags a little higher and the sensors won't 'sense' them.

If you have a lot of bags or luggage, simple go to the staffed gate near the ticket office, they will validate your ticket or card and allow you through.

Simple.

I always lift whatever I carried up above the barrier when i passed or use the gate near to the counter which the security will open for you.

You should have taken some balloons with you and floated over.

I watched 4 chaps of middle eastern appearance trying to beat the barrier sensors by squeezing together (as if they were bumming each other) while using the one card, right in front of the security guard. Needles to say it didn't work but it would have been funny if one of them had been injured in the nether regions while trying to cheat the system.

I've always lifted my bags over these things wherever I am in the world.

Lift the bags is the unanimous decision.....also kick the crap out of the barrier if it hits you to make a point.

Be difficult if ya have suitcases.

Well I got hit by one of them last Saturday at Chidlom and I wasn't carrying any bags.

I bought some wine at Marks and Sparks and wasn't paying attention and the claws got me - I stood on the other side in horror worrying I'd have to break the BTS rule about eating or drinking, luckily all was well. I can't wait to see how the platform barricades work - will they close first ? before the train door closes? should be interesting.

It's a dumb f*cking system like most other things on the BTS.

But, yes, just make sure you hold anything up above the sensors.

Like you I got hit ... though ... 'snapped shut on me again with enough force to break a small womens or childs femur' ... is a touch dramatic, don't you think?

I asked the Thais about this ...

Just 'lift' the bags a little higher and the sensors won't 'sense' them.

If you have a lot of bags or luggage, simple go to the staffed gate near the ticket office, they will validate your ticket or card and allow you through.

Simple.

Hindsight - the gift that's worth tuppence a ton! But leaves the recipient so smug.

Be difficult if ya have suitcases.

Of course that's what the 'luggage entrance' to the side of the regular entrances are for.

Like you I got hit ... though ... 'snapped shut on me again with enough force to break a small womens or childs femur' ... is a touch dramatic, don't you think?

I asked the Thais about this ...

Just 'lift' the bags a little higher and the sensors won't 'sense' them.

If you have a lot of bags or luggage, simple go to the staffed gate near the ticket office, they will validate your ticket or card and allow you through.

Simple.

Hindsight - the gift that's worth tuppence a ton! But leaves the recipient so smug.

Huh ...

I said in the opening line that I got hit once ... 'Like you I got hit'.

So I asked the Thai staff how not to get hit and they said that I should not try and walk through with the bags first and to hold them up or if the bag is big or it's luggage go through the side gate where the attendant would let me through and swipe my ticket for me.

Lifting the bags is not only obvious, it is recommended on a couple of signs.

Another thing is to walk squarely through the gate. turning to the side, as some do so the bags will 'fit', makes for a longer target.

Which bribery allowed to sell these monkey machines ?

You should have taken some balloons with you and floated over.

Oh dear, let's not drag that one up again.......ha ha

Sent from my GT-I9505 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

If you have a lot of bags and such you can just ask the security guy to scan your card and he will open the big gate for you.

It's an information issue, like many things here. I was hit quite a few times (and have joint issues) until I worked out why it was happening. Since then, I've noticed a (very few) signs. There either needs to be a sign at every gate, or change the 'slamming shut' system with a shaming siren and autophoto system.

The hip smashers are still in good working order then I see!

It may just be my imagination, but I was thinking the other day how the ticket gates seem to stay open longer than before. I used to always get hit in the family jewels. Now they sometimes seem to stay open long enough for two people to get through.

Also, I've noticed that most pregnant Thai ladies and ladies with children use the luggage gate, as well as jumbo sized Thai ladies. (While the jumbo sized farangs all try to squeeze through the normal ticket gates...)

Which bribery allowed to sell these monkey machines ?

Why are they "monkey machines"? In fact, what is a "monkey machine"? Strange posts and posters on TV these days.

Another trick I use when I have a heavy wheeled computer bag (you don't want to lift it), is to just reverse the handle, and scoot the bag under the gate in front of you while scanning the card. That way, the gate opens and your bag is already through except for your hand on the handle. Works like a charm.

You can even get really good at reversing the bag in mid-stride without missing a step...a crowd pleaser.

One of many threads... http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/207092-bts-skytrain-barriers-ouch/

If you are physically challenged just use the large gate immediately adjacent to the ticket windows. These are obviously in place for handicapped travelers, but also for anyone with an unusual load, or unique physical/mental challenges.

There is usually a security guard there to facilitate entry, which involves using using your RFID card in/on the entry slot/reader on the adjacent turnstile, take your card which registers entry/exit with the system, then just swing the gate open.

http://www.bts.co.th/corporate/en/02-system-safety02-1.aspx

http://www.bts.co.th/corporate/en/02-system-safety02-2.aspx

Edited December 15, 201312 yr by lomatopo

I got bruised badly on both thighs. I wasn't carrying any bags and didn't delay walking through the barrier.

Two staff were watching and saw what happened. they were all too ready to tell me off saying that what happened was my fault but the couldn't give me any reason why.

I am a big strong ex rugby player but that clout could have killed a child. Head height for a 6 year old.

Very dangerous in my opinion. I won't be using them again.

Be difficult if ya have suitcases.

Drag the suitcase behind you.

Which bribery allowed to sell these monkey machines ?

Aren't these same "monkey machines" used all over the world?