Why is the Airport link stations so badly done ?

[only1]

They are all big and nearly fully covered with very poor air ventilation.

Why spend so much to make it bad for the people ?

Have they ever explained why ?

[SamSipEt]

Access is appalling with narrow stairs to the platforms and a single lift that will only take two or three people with luggage.

The whole thing was badly designed from start to finish but what the hell TIT no one every takes responsibility for anything.

I've given up using it and just catch a taxi instead.

[only1]

I wonder who approved this project. Which PM's time was it ?

So much unnecessary money spent on covering up the possible airy space.

They could open it up now for the air ventilation. They need more feedback.

Commuters should voice out to the staffs.

[asiaexpat]

use ARL daily and sure better than Fighting Bangkok traffic

[Langsuan Man]

It's a mess because there is no unified transit plan in Bangkok, or Thailand for that matter

When everything is done by concessions then there is no way to integrate the various parts into one functioning unit since the concessionaire is only interested in making money, not providing a service

[only1]

Excuses are not the reasons.

Which PM did that project ? He is the real cause of it.

[smokie36]

Acually fair comment...I hate the one at Hua Mak....glad I've moved into town.

[SunsetT]

Im sorry to keep saying this but it all goes back to the appalling Thai education system plus an apparent cultural lack of consideration for others.

........They, of course, have brains but are, sadly, not taught to use them,,,,,,and they just dont give a shit!

..........But hey! If they were educated and could think like us the Thai atmosphere would be buzzing with stressed-out Thai thoughts with them rushing around thinking, planning, and scheming just like back home in the West........Instead we have the relaxed laid back Thai atmosphere that we feel as soon as we get off that plane and leave the airport.............Just chill out and enjoy it while it lasts.

Edited August 30, 2015 by SunsetT

[manarak]

It's a mess because there is no unified transit plan in Bangkok, or Thailand for that matter

When everything is done by concessions then there is no way to integrate the various parts into one functioning unit since the concessionaire is only interested in making money, not providing a service

this is the correct explanation - nothing to do with brains!

[JHolmesJr]

They have a very communist country vibe about them....ive noticed their squalor many times but never been interested in finding out why.

[only1]

Im sorry to keep saying this but it all goes back to the appalling Thai education system plus an apparent cultural lack of consideration for others.

........They, of course, have brains but are, sadly, not taught to use them,,,,,,and they just dont give a shit!

..........But hey! If they were educated and could think like us the Thai atmosphere would be buzzing with stressed-out Thai thoughts with them rushing around thinking, planning, and scheming just like back home in the West........Instead we have the relaxed laid back Thai atmosphere that we feel as soon as we get off that plane and leave the airport.............Just chill out and enjoy it while it lasts.

I think it is not right or fair to just generally blame the whole country or the Whole system. It must have been related to corruption and corruption is man made, so the PM who approved and did it is one to be blamed, no one else. The people can only be blamed for ignorance having elected the wrong party.

[kjun12]

The fact, my friend, is that the Thais don't see anything wrong with corruption. They accept it as part of Thailand. As they love to say: Can't change Thailand.

[steven100]

The stations could have been made smaller & cheaper but more passenger friendly such as sit down areas with coffee shops and decent bathroom facilities, wider access with escalators.

Makassan is like a ghost town as are many of the other stations. The trains are looking like they have been to Dubai and back with an old worn out look about them ... when it's not really old for a rail line.

Japan is the king when it comes to high speed rail, the Thais in charge should have spent a few months in Tokyo to evaluate what would be best suited.

Also, at what ever cost it was ... the big mistake was not having the route unified with connecting services .. the rail should have come into Asoke as the main hub station whether some had to be under ground or whatever , Asoke should have been there chosen route and not Makassan.

[CLW]

At least they decided to built the pedestrian bridge at Makkasan station to get access to MRT.

But in general I have to agree, the station not very well designed.

Starts with public toilets, elevators, ventilation or AC, benches for sitting, trashcans, stores inside and so on...

But anyway have to admit it's convenient to use to get to the airport and I use it every time.

[IAMHERE]

I think it is because the planners were never going to be the users. The users were seen to be falang on their way out of the country, so who cares. Just build the thing and cash the checks.

[CLW]

Wouldn't it be common sense to look at some other already built stations to see how to design them?

[robertthebruce]

On a Positive about the 'Airport Link'', the price is right....

[Andyfez]

Yes, I have occasionally gone to Makassan, but learned pretty quickly that no taxi can be bothered to go there to pick up passengers.

You just have to struggle out to the main road and hope.

Getting a taxi in the rain is impossible in this area, and you get very wet. You just have to walk through to the MRT and go to a more convenient station - with the security at the entrance to MRT they will often ignore checking small bags, but when a suitcas comes they get interested.....

[kinmaew]

I'll tell you why because foreigners are NOT allowed to work in Thailand otherwise the bloody Poms would have designed this thing to bloody work or even the Singaporeans lllaaa

[atyclb]

Ramkamhaeng station has an airconditioned food court and a very good inexpensive indian food stall.

all the platforms are very hot and air does not move. incompetency, corruption and cheating, poor education are inextricably entwined within the society as a whole at all levels. blaming it on politicians and not the populous is a moot point.

[CLW]

Ramkamhaeng station has an airconditioned food court and a very good inexpensive indian food stall.

all the platforms are very hot and air does not move. incompetency, corruption and cheating, poor education are inextricably entwined within the society as a whole at all levels. blaming it on politicians and not the populous is a moot point.

It's a good idea to bring some shops and life into this huge stations. Same for MRT with their metro malls. But everything is done afterwards and lacks of proper planning.

In many countries the stations are bustling with shops etc. But MRT and ARL have not yet...

[only1]

The fact, my friend, is that the Thais don't see anything wrong with corruption. They accept it as part of Thailand. As they love to say: Can't change Thailand.

It's wrong to think this way.

Isn't Taksin already out ? That's a good sign to begin.

Still, Thailand is far behind Malaysia in corruption.

[only1]

Ramkamhaeng station has an airconditioned food court and a very good inexpensive indian food stall.

all the platforms are very hot and air does not move. incompetency, corruption and cheating, poor education are inextricably entwined within the society as a whole at all levels. blaming it on politicians and not the populous is a moot point.

This is because of the new mall Airlink, not an improvement by the Airport link system. The air is killing, they should remove all the stupid dark steel structures on the sides. Serve no purpose.

[only1]

Wouldn't it be common sense to look at some other already built stations to see how to design them?

That's why I think corruption is the main reason. They purposely design it in such a design to support a crony company that supplied the material ?

WE must make them remove them.

[NoshowJones]

At least they decided to built the pedestrian bridge at Makkasan station to get access to MRT.

But in general I have to agree, the station not very well designed.

Starts with public toilets, elevators, ventilation or AC, benches for sitting, trashcans, stores inside and so on...

But anyway have to admit it's convenient to use to get to the airport and I use it every time.

Don't forget the poor sign posting, and the moving stairs not being on at seven when the trains start at six.

[only1]

The stations could have been made smaller & cheaper but more passenger friendly such as sit down areas with coffee shops and decent bathroom facilities, wider access with escalators.

Makassan is like a ghost town as are many of the other stations. The trains are looking like they have been to Dubai and back with an old worn out look about them ... when it's not really old for a rail line.

Japan is the king when it comes to high speed rail, the Thais in charge should have spent a few months in Tokyo to evaluate what would be best suited.

Also, at what ever cost it was ... the big mistake was not having the route unified with connecting services .. the rail should have come into Asoke as the main hub station whether some had to be under ground or whatever , Asoke should have been there chosen route and not Makassan.

No need to go as far as Japan,common sense and logic can tell what is wastage. I am sure they know what is a toilet. This is not Thailand's first transport system.

How come no one answer me who approved this project ?

[NoshowJones]

Wouldn't it be common sense to look at some other already built stations to see how to design them?

Common sense and Thailand somehow don't go together.

[only1]

I'll tell you why because foreigners are NOT allowed to work in Thailand otherwise the bloody Poms would have designed this thing to bloody work or even the Singaporeans lllaaa

Who are the POMs.

[only1]

Wouldn't it be common sense to look at some other already built stations to see how to design them?

Common sense and Thailand somehow don't go together.

Why ? I see great development in the country. They have the best shopping malls, restaurants and cinemas. Why is the Airport link so badly designed ?

[only1]

It's a mess because there is no unified transit plan in Bangkok, or Thailand for that matter

When everything is done by concessions then there is no way to integrate the various parts into one functioning unit since the concessionaire is only interested in making money, not providing a service

this is the correct explanation - nothing to do with brains!

What do you mean by nothing to do with brains ?

There must at least one mastermind behind it.