Too many commercials' screens on BTS platforms

[ebean001]

Get over it freak. This is western capitalism at it's best. BTS is a stock on the SET exchange. VGI is also a stock. VGI is the company that makes money advertising on the BTS. Get an account at Kim Eng or Bangkok Bank. Buy these 2 stocks and make 20% gain a year. Yes, maybe the price of the stock has only gone up 10% but they pay out about 10% in dividends. Keep reading the advertisement and let people make money.

[matseng]

As a tech-head I don't care about the ads themselves, but the newish big LED -screens that are mounted in "landscape" mode at the platforms makes me very impressed over the very good luminance- and color-matching of each panel. :-) Speaking of huge displays, I wonder how many KW the panels outside Siam Paragon requires, they can't be cheap to run.

[Minnehaha]

Yes, BTS own a lot of VGI. Smart decision. But then again, they had to because their financial position was so bad a few years ago. Having said that I wonder how it is now that they are expanding.

Also interesting to remember, how when the BTS opened it was void of vendors, including not just any space inside the terminals, but also on the platforms outside as well. That lasted a few years and then in certain stations it kind of exploded with vendors, Mor Chit is an example. Others followed.

(Curious how all vendors were removed from Prompong. I guess it has to do with the construction that will go on to connect the new mall Emporium 2 to the Skywalk).

Then came the in carriage TV screens showing (crap advertising in my opinion) and film promotions with mind numbing repetitive cycles.

Then came the billboards on the platforms. And then came electronic billboards. Now we have the gates.

But the OP should not be concerned as the gates all say "Test Run" on them, which is obviously a technical term that is beyond my comprehension.

I don't like them either, but I won't complain about them or do more than post a comment. My mental health is more important.

On a related note... remember the state of the art glass walls in the MRT when it opened? They were supposed to be able to show moving image in the glass, and I think they got it to work a bit eventually, but not like the original displays promised. It failed. But now I think a new company has taken it up. Perhaps this is VGI as well? They seem to be everywhere. I seem to recall the original company was owned by the son of a friend of ours who lives in Dubai.

[tingtongteesood]

What's wrong with commercials on the BTS? Better than looking at graffiti or the dirt on the London Underground. Strange, but very "farang" thing to moan about.

What is wrong with complaining about it?

You pay to use the BTS to get from A to B. Why do you have to accept being accosted by advertising on your journey?

Without the ads you would pay more. Then you could moan about the prices being to high.

The company that manage the Ads is seprate from the BTS ... look for the shareholders of the company and you will find who is really profiting from the Advertisement business.

I believe the advertising company is owned by Thaksin's son....

[JacChang]

For those who don't know, BTS's business isn't just trains. Over one third if advertising revenues. In fact, on the last shareholder's meeting, it has purchased an additional business, guess what? Advertising rights company.

[JacChang]

Get over it freak. This is western capitalism at it's best. BTS is a stock on the SET exchange. VGI is also a stock. VGI is the company that makes money advertising on the BTS. Get an account at Kim Eng or Bangkok Bank. Buy these 2 stocks and make 20% gain a year. Yes, maybe the price of the stock has only gone up 10% but they pay out about 10% in dividends. Keep reading the advertisement and let people make money.

BTS has made us rich shareholders smile smile smile~

And much more for years to come.

[bkkjames]

Get over it freak. This is western capitalism at it's best. BTS is a stock on the SET exchange. VGI is also a stock. VGI is the company that makes money advertising on the BTS. Get an account at Kim Eng or Bangkok Bank. Buy these 2 stocks and make 20% gain a year. Yes, maybe the price of the stock has only gone up 10% but they pay out about 10% in dividends. Keep reading the advertisement and let people make money.

BTS has made us rich shareholders smile smile smile~

And much more for years to come.

without passengers, there are no ads - keep that in mind as you continue to squeeze one more baht from one too many passengers

Edited August 18, 2014 by bkkjames

[JacChang]

Get over it freak. This is western capitalism at it's best. BTS is a stock on the SET exchange. VGI is also a stock. VGI is the company that makes money advertising on the BTS. Get an account at Kim Eng or Bangkok Bank. Buy these 2 stocks and make 20% gain a year. Yes, maybe the price of the stock has only gone up 10% but they pay out about 10% in dividends. Keep reading the advertisement and let people make money.

BTS has made us rich shareholders smile smile smile~

And much more for years to come.

and one might hope that ugly communicable diseases like ebola don't hit anytime soon lol gone are the passengers and the advertising, and the share value.

And up goes my bumrumgrad hospital shares.

Diversification is beautiful.

The rich never gets poor.

[bkkjames]

yea always a rosy picture. but seriously, what is the safe allowable limit of passengers per car? I ask cause I don't mind squeezing up to most Thais, I can only imagine what would happen in case of a real emergency?

[Benmart]

Dear LiorW.

I read you post and have some comments as follows.

."So now we are forced to stare at the screens, even while we wait for the trains.".

I have never been forced to use the BTS, let alone stare at the screens.

"Or are they there just as an excuse to the commercials' screens (because standing on the platform for 5 min without doing nothing is a waste of a commercial-time)?".

I think I understand the commercialism aspect. Again, I've never been forced to watch them.

"I found them really hard to avoid. They were 2-3 meters from me and 1 meter apart from each other. This is sickening.".

It is unfortunate that you are sick from such a mundane piece of electronics. I avoid them all the time by not looking, by reading or putting headphones on and standing behind a pillar or sign. Meditation is an option which serves me well.

"Can we expect to be attacked by more in the near future?".

I don't know if "attacked" is a word I would use. I've never seen them as an adversary or potential attacker.

Twenty years ago, there was no BTS or MRT. People complained about gridlock, smog, heat, congestion and overcrowding. I actually find the BTS and MRT quite pleasant compared to the alternative.

The world doesnt revolve around me and while I respect the right of others to complain, comment or criticize, I prefer the kinder, gentler approach. For me that is Live and Let Live.

[LiorW]

Dear LiorW.

I read you post and have some comments as follows.

."So now we are forced to stare at the screens, even while we wait for the trains.".

I have never been forced to use the BTS, let alone stare at the screens.

"Or are they there just as an excuse to the commercials' screens (because standing on the platform for 5 min without doing nothing is a waste of a commercial-time)?".

I think I understand the commercialism aspect. Again, I've never been forced to watch them.

"I found them really hard to avoid. They were 2-3 meters from me and 1 meter apart from each other. This is sickening.".

It is unfortunate that you are sick from such a mundane piece of electronics. I avoid them all the time by not looking, by reading or putting headphones on and standing behind a pillar or sign. Meditation is an option which serves me well.

"Can we expect to be attacked by more in the near future?".

I don't know if "attacked" is a word I would use. I've never seen them as an adversary or potential attacker.

Twenty years ago, there was no BTS or MRT. People complained about gridlock, smog, heat, congestion and overcrowding. I actually find the BTS and MRT quite pleasant compared to the alternative.

The world doesnt revolve around me and while I respect the right of others to complain, comment or criticize, I prefer the kinder, gentler approach. For me that is Live and Let Live.

Benmart, I'm sorry, but you missed my point.

I didn't say I'm forced to use the BTS, but rather forced to stare at the screens.

So you avoid them by hiding behind a pillar or sign, meditation (laying on the ground with your face down too?)

Is that really Live and Let Live?

Next, the trees on the streets will be covered by those screens, and will lit up the night as if it was the middle of the day (I'm sure to cover some expances). Will that be Live and Let Live?

I'm exaggerating just to try and picture the trend.

And I'm sure all the share holders are happy. I'm a capitalistic myself.

[charmonman]

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Get over it freak. This is western capitalism at it's best. BTS is a stock on the SET exchange. VGI is also a stock. VGI is the company that makes money advertising on the BTS. Get an account at Kim Eng or Bangkok Bank. Buy these 2 stocks and make 20% gain a year. Yes, maybe the price of the stock has only gone up 10% but they pay out about 10% in dividends. Keep reading the advertisement and let people make money.

Yes, "freak". Shut up and be a good little brain-washed consumer so ebean001 can make more money!

Look, ebean. Some people find the constant barrage of advertising extremely annoying. Simple as that. There are plenty of companies you can buy shares in whose business is not about annoying people who simply want to use public transit.

Me, I just put headphones on and listen to music. I don't look at the screens but rather look at the view from the station or at my fellow passengers.

[charmonman]

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Dear LiorW.

I read you post and have some comments as follows.

."So now we are forced to stare at the screens, even while we wait for the trains.".
I have never been forced to use the BTS, let alone stare at the screens.

"Or are they there just as an excuse to the commercials' screens (because standing on the platform for 5 min without doing nothing is a waste of a commercial-time)?".

I think I understand the commercialism aspect. Again, I've never been forced to watch them.

"I found them really hard to avoid. They were 2-3 meters from me and 1 meter apart from each other. This is sickening.".

It is unfortunate that you are sick from such a mundane piece of electronics. I avoid them all the time by not looking, by reading or putting headphones on and standing behind a pillar or sign. Meditation is an option which serves me well.


"Can we expect to be attacked by more in the near future?".

I don't know if "attacked" is a word I would use. I've never seen them as an adversary or potential attacker.

Twenty years ago, there was no BTS or MRT. People complained about gridlock, smog, heat, congestion and overcrowding. I actually find the BTS and MRT quite pleasant compared to the alternative.

The world doesnt revolve around me and while I respect the right of others to complain, comment or criticize, I prefer the kinder, gentler approach. For me that is Live and Let Live.

Benmart, I'm sorry, but you missed my point.
I didn't say I'm forced to use the BTS, but rather forced to stare at the screens.
So you avoid them by hiding behind a pillar or sign, meditation (laying on the ground with your face down too?)
Is that really Live and Let Live?
Next, the trees on the streets will be covered by those screens, and will lit up the night as if it was the middle of the day (I'm sure to cover some expances). Will that be Live and Let Live?
I'm exaggerating just to try and picture the trend.
And I'm sure all the share holders are happy. I'm a capitalistic myself.

I also find the trend very annoying. They have now installed these annoying little screens in the elevators in the building where I live. I cope by carrying headphones with me wherever I go in Bangkok so I can block out the constant and omnipresent sound of advertising. I find it amazing the level of acceptance of this annoying trend by so many and, even more incomprehensible, the hostility towards anyone, like yourself, who dares to simply point out that they find it a nuisance.

[lvr181]

LiorW: Feel free to pay for extra cost of fares...........

[Luxfare]

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What's wrong with commercials on the BTS? Better than looking at graffiti or the dirt on the London Underground. Strange, but very "farang" thing to moan about.

What is wrong with complaining about it?

You pay to use the BTS to get from A to B. Why do you have to accept being accosted by advertising on your journey?

Because it's a ridiculous thing to complain about. If you think you're being "accosted" by video advertising, Asia is no place for you.

I find your attitude ridiculous. If you think complaining about things is ridiculous then the Thaivisa forum is no place for you.

And if people don't like advertising on the BTS then getting the BTS is no place for them. There's a big difference between complaining about corrupt police, bad traffic and rip off taxis and something so trivial as advertising on public transport which costs about a quarter of what it does in the UK. Some people on here must have really sad lives.

[Razzler1973]

What's wrong with commercials on the BTS? Better than looking at graffiti or the dirt on the London Underground. Strange, but very "farang" thing to moan about.

A common misconception, the London Underground doesn't really have any graffiti at all and it's pretty clean actually

I don't mind the adverts, they can make enough money from that maybe they won't put the fares up

[glitteratzzi]

seriously?? if it bothers you then don't look at them... stare at ur phone like everyone else... personally I think the commercials are entertaining.. especially the food commercials.. maybe it's just me.. find a valid excuse to complain.. I'm wondering where all the funding comes from to supply such nice big screens all over town.. it's a part of thailand.. take it or leave .. hahaa ????

[eppic]

To be fair, I would say I don't mind the screens at all, they are occasionally entertaining and it's easy enough to avert one's gaze if desired.

I do find the sound to be irritating sometimes, because it is often way too loud and highly distorted (this is NOT a good advertisement for Bose).

Actually, the volume issue is a common theme in SE Asia. My Orchard Rd neighborhood in Singapore was constantly bombarded with promotions that included (literally) ear-splitting, highly-distorted music and MC's...It was actually painful to the ears, far worse than say Times Square in NYC or Shibuya in Tokyo. Always made me wonder if they were actually attempting to chase away potential customers or if SE Asians are hard of hearing. More accurately, I guess there are no noise ordinances regulating maximum volume, so advertisers attempt to maximize their reach.

I don't find the BTS ads to be quite as bad, but I have noticed that the volume can be excessive if you are standing adjacent to the speakers...nothing a quick relocation of a few meters can't remedy though. Certainly not in my top 100 complaints list.

[Estrada]

Get over it freak. This is western capitalism at it's best. BTS is a stock on the SET exchange. VGI is also a stock. VGI is the company that makes money advertising on the BTS. Get an account at Kim Eng or Bangkok Bank. Buy these 2 stocks and make 20% gain a year. Yes, maybe the price of the stock has only gone up 10% but they pay out about 10% in dividends. Keep reading the advertisement and let people make money.

I bought BTS at 8.10 in February and it rose to 9.85 intraday last Friday. That is 20% in 6 months + the 8% Dividend. Secondly the valuation has now risen to B12.00/share since they will start buying back shares from the 24th August and their Green Line extensions will be awarded soon. So there is still another 20% rise in the next 6 months or so.

[Estrada]

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Dear LiorW.

I read you post and have some comments as follows.

."So now we are forced to stare at the screens, even while we wait for the trains.".

I have never been forced to use the BTS, let alone stare at the screens.

"Or are they there just as an excuse to the commercials' screens (because standing on the platform for 5 min without doing nothing is a waste of a commercial-time)?".

I think I understand the commercialism aspect. Again, I've never been forced to watch them.

"I found them really hard to avoid. They were 2-3 meters from me and 1 meter apart from each other. This is sickening.".

It is unfortunate that you are sick from such a mundane piece of electronics. I avoid them all the time by not looking, by reading or putting headphones on and standing behind a pillar or sign. Meditation is an option which serves me well.

"Can we expect to be attacked by more in the near future?".

I don't know if "attacked" is a word I would use. I've never seen them as an adversary or potential attacker.

Twenty years ago, there was no BTS or MRT. People complained about gridlock, smog, heat, congestion and overcrowding. I actually find the BTS and MRT quite pleasant compared to the alternative.

The world doesnt revolve around me and while I respect the right of others to complain, comment or criticize, I prefer the kinder, gentler approach. For me that is Live and Let Live.

Benmart, I'm sorry, but you missed my point.

I didn't say I'm forced to use the BTS, but rather forced to stare at the screens.

So you avoid them by hiding behind a pillar or sign, meditation (laying on the ground with your face down too?)

Is that really Live and Let Live?

Next, the trees on the streets will be covered by those screens, and will lit up the night as if it was the middle of the day (I'm sure to cover some expances). Will that be Live and Let Live?

I'm exaggerating just to try and picture the trend.

And I'm sure all the share holders are happy. I'm a capitalistic myself.

I also find the trend very annoying. They have now installed these annoying little screens in the elevators in the building where I live. I cope by carrying headphones with me wherever I go in Bangkok so I can block out the constant and omnipresent sound of advertising. I find it amazing the level of acceptance of this annoying trend by so many and, even more incomprehensible, the hostility towards anyone, like yourself, who dares to simply point out that they find it a nuisance.

Blimey you one of those persons who wear head phones making an awful racket, much to the anoyance of other BTS passngers who are trying to concentrate on texting and playing games on their smart phones.

[mike324]

next thread will be about Ads on Thaivisa, why so many ads I can' enjoy my thaivisa in peace

[lvr181]

next thread will be about Ads on Thaivisa, why so many ads I can' enjoy my thaivisa in peace

Yup, the world is full of naive "freeloaders".

Edited August 18, 2014 by lvr181

[eppic]

And on a related note, whenever I go to the cinema here in BKK, I am "forced" to endure 30 minutes of commercials before the movie starts. Sometimes less, sometimes more, so can't just arrive 30 minutes late. But I already paid good money for that movie, and I often finish my popcorn before it even starts. The indignity of it! Maybe next time I will demand a free popcorn refill for wasting my valuable time!

Edited August 18, 2014 by eppic

[charmonman]

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Because it's a ridiculous thing to complain about. If you think you're being "accosted" by video advertising, Asia is no place for you.

I find your attitude ridiculous. If you think complaining about things is ridiculous then the Thaivisa forum is no place for you.

And if people don't like advertising on the BTS then getting the BTS is no place for them. There's a big difference between complaining about corrupt police, bad traffic and rip off taxis and something so trivial as advertising on public transport which costs about a quarter of what it does in the UK. Some people on here must have really sad lives.

Your comment is not really logical. People get on the BTS to be transported from one place to the next, NOT to be surrounded by intrusive advertising. So, if a person wants to go from point A to B then the BTS is BY DEFINITION the place for them. Unfortunately they must also have to put up with a barrage of advertising. If people want to express that they find the latter annoying, why do you complain about it? To apply your own logic, there's a big difference between complaining about a public annoyance and something so trivial as people expressing their opinion on a forum.

By the way if you don't like corrupt police, bad traffic and rip off taxis then perhaps Bangkok is no place for you (sarcasm).

[NoshowJones]

What's wrong with commercials on the BTS? Better than looking at graffiti or the dirt on the London Underground. Strange, but very "farang" thing to moan about.

What is wrong with complaining about it?

You pay to use the BTS to get from A to B. Why do you have to accept being accosted by advertising on your journey?

Without the ads you would pay more. Then you could moan about the prices being to high.

Rubbish, businesses will always charge as much as they can get away with, how do you think millionaires are made. That's capitalism for you.

[samran]

What's wrong with commercials on the BTS? Better than looking at graffiti or the dirt on the London Underground. Strange, but very "farang" thing to moan about.

What is wrong with complaining about it?

#firstworldproblems

#youmustbeenglish

[kblaze]

if you want to at least by compensated for the advert over-load, buy shares of VGI

[spidermike007]

I think perhaps the best solution is to carry earplugs, and not look at the screens. Personally, I find advertising where the message is being blared vocally, to be offensive. It is very invasive. I really dislike all those screens, with all those ads. But, other than engaging in a campaign which includes the destruction of property, which I do not advocate on any level, what are we to do about it?

[tropic1000]

I agree SpiderMike.

I heard VGI, the original investor and seller of the screen ads, was founded by Taksin's son.

Anyway, their first contract dates back to Taksin government days.

It's a pity that VGI was allowed (as many countries disallow audio) to have ads with audio in the first place, both in BTS cars and on the platforms, but even worse, they set their own volumes, which is often quite high.

Not sure if there's much that can be done about it in the short term, especially if there's many who don't care or may even like it.

[charmonman]

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I think perhaps the best solution is to carry earplugs, and not look at the screens. Personally, I find advertising where the message is being blared vocally, to be offensive. It is very invasive. I really dislike all those screens, with all those ads. But, other than engaging in a campaign which includes the destruction of property, which I do not advocate on any level, what are we to do about it?

I have certainly felt the urge to smash a few of these screens, but would rather avoid being charged with vandalism. So, like you I just carry headphones and look elsewhere.

It is ironic that so many on here think that those who think these things are annoying are complaining about something trivial, and yet spend their time posting negative comments about those of us who dare to complain about it. Talk about trivial! If they don't agree with those of us who find the adverts annoying, just go to another forum topic!