Reader's Queries

[The Enforcer!]

Besides Robert Schwandl's combined map has anyone published a good BTS/MRTA map yet?

The Enforcer!

[jpatokal]

Lonely Planet Bangkok shows both lines nicely...

[The Enforcer!]

Is that e-copy or hard-copy?

The Enforcer!

[jpatokal]

I don't think the LP map is available online, at least not for free. And it's a full city map with the lines shown, not just a schematic diagram like the one on UrbanRail.

[jpatokal]

But the free "Welcome to Bangkok" maps handed out at Don Muang etc, as well as most of the for-sale maps in bookstores, don't seem to include the subway at all... I hope they can be revised quickly.

[The Enforcer!]

Has anyone found a Palm download of the Subway map?

I was given a BTS one after it opened and would like a subway one!

The Enforcer!

[Ganyc]

Sawadee, Khun,

Are there any directions in English in Bangkok Subway for the convenience of tourists and expatriates ? Can the MRTA counter staff communicate in English like the Skytrain counter staff ?


I remember the Skytrain counter staff speak better English than KL Monorail staff. I went to Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok early this year. KL Monorail is the most colourful Skytrain service of Kuala Lumpur.

When will MRTA start its English web-site ? I cannot read a single Thai script character at http://www.mrta.co.th.

Ganyc
SINGAPORE

[Ganyc]

Sawadee, Khun,

How many companies in Bangkok have difficulties reading and udnerstanding Chinese ? My freelance translation service at affordable rates can enable them to understand Chinese as I translate Chinese documents into English. Please introduce me to your company. I can be contacted at asiaperu@hotmail.com or ksetia@hotmail.com. Thank you.

Ganyc
SINGAPORE

[The Enforcer!]

The good news is that the MRTA has an english language site (www.mrta.co.th/eng) - the bad news is that it was last updated on 23.03.04!

The Enforcer!

[Ganyc]

Hi, Bangkok,

Are there any former names for the present MRTA stations ? I am fortunate to have a copy of Fah Thai that shows the pre-launch route map of MRTA's present line. It shows that the former names of the stations Chatuchak, Ratchadaphisek, Huay Kwang, Thai Cultural Centre, Phetburi and Klong Toei are Morchit, Ratchada, Pracharat Bamphen, Thiam Ruam Mit, Petchaburi and Bonkai respectively. How are these stations' names named and why did they change suddenly ?

Fah Thai is the inflight magazine of Bangkok Airways.

Ganyc
SINGAPORE

[Wisarut]

The main reasons for name changings are that Local People are More familar with the new name than the Old name whcih based upon the name of the road as well as some places (e.g. Mochit or so)

Asking Peop[le about Pracharaj Bumphen road and No body would have any clue about it but whne you aks them abotu Huay Kwang, the local people feel more familiar with ...

Klong toei statin is NOT in Bon kai as MRTA people thought ... thuns they have to change the name

Local people feel LESS familar with Thai Ruam Mitr than Thailand CUltural Center though

[ncr]

Are there any former names for the present MRTA stations ? Actually I dont understand what your question is, as you already answered it by yourself in the following two sentences.

Anyway, as for the reasons of the renaming, see K. Wisarut's answer, and apart from that, all the related information was posted on 2Bangkok a long time ago and is now to be found on one of the the main Subway pages: http://www.angkor.com/2bangkok/2bangkok/Subway/MRTA02.shtml (you have to scroll down quite a bit).

Here is the relevant excerpt:

New subway station names - October 16, 2002
Translated and summarized by Wisarut Bholsithi from the MRTA website.

MRTA changed some station names to correspond with the names of significant places, landmarks, roads, and local names of the places.

Old > New - Reason:

1. Pracharat Bumphen > Huay Kwang - Most people are more familiar with Huay Kwang than with Pracharat Bumphen.

2. Thiam Ruam Mitr > Thai Cultural Center - Thiam Ruam Mitr Road is not a main road. Therefore, MRTA selected a significant bureaucratic place (Thai Cultural Center) close to the station instead.

3. Ratchada > Ratchadaphisek - The station is on Ratchadaphisek Inner Ring Road (a ring road initiated by His Majesty The King as a gift to his Bangkok subjects during the Silver Jubilee of His Majesty's Reign in June, 1971).

4. Mochit > Chatuchak Park - The station is in Chatuchak park, a park that became more significant than Mochit Market. The park was established in 1975 by SRT to commemorate the 4th cycle of His Majesty (48-years old).

5. Bon Kai > Klong Toei - The station is in Klong Toei area, not Bon Kai.

However, there was no change "Petchaburi > Phetburi", as you wrote. The current spelling of that station name is "Phetchaburi".

[admin]

A reader asks: "Do you have any information regarding the parking lot rules of the MRTA (ie can bikes and cars be left on the parking lots after the official closing time – midnight)?"

[jpatokal]

Originally posted by Ganyc
Are there any directions in English in Bangkok Subway for the convenience of tourists and expatriates ? Can the MRTA counter staff communicate in English like the Skytrain counter staff ?
All signs are bilingual, so finding your way around the line is not a problem. Buying tickets is especially easy until August 12, since a ride from anywhere to anywhere will cost you exactly 10 baht :D

[The Enforcer!]

Quite correct!

In addition to the complete name changes listed by all, several stations had their English lagnguage spelling changed from initial maps to the final station signs.

The Enforcer!

[R. Zimmermann]

On 19th February 2003 this correspondent had a letter published
to the Bangkok Post, complaining about the (non-)accessability of
the Thailand Cultural Centre quote ... that I realized this venue is practically inaccessible on foot, unless one takes the course of some life-endangering jaywalking... unquote and quote...Why is
the nearby future subway station going to be called "Tiam Ruam
Mitr" and not, more appropriately "Soon Wattanatham Haeng Prathet Thai" or "Thailand Cultural Centre"? unquote

Not that I assume this letter caused the change, neither did the
accessability improve. The paper stickers at the subway station
which now supplement everywhere the insufficent direction signs
(IN THAI ONLY) sends one to exit no 1 which dumps one somewhere on Ratchadapisek Road. No further help is offered how to reach the Cultural Centre .

I take issue with the names of the three MRT/BTS interchange stations. Why did MRT chose - in the case of Mor Chit deliberately
so - to have different names? Would it not help to support the
notion of an integrated mass transit system, if transfer stations were clearly to be identified as such? And why does MRT not offer
any direction signs to BTS, at least not at Sukhumvit/Asoke? BTS has retrofitted it station names accordingly and put up temporary - and of course bilingual - signs at platform and exits.
BTS also announces transfers on the trains, MTR keeps mum.

What else?: Why does MRT display network maps showing the
subway in bold blue but BTS in thin green (AND WITHOUT ANY
STATIONS!) all under the caption "Bangkok Transportation Map"?

[The Enforcer!]

I, for one, am pleased that, temporarily, the so called interchange station have different names simply because they DO NOT interchange!

I think that Maps etc should show the stations apart with a linking station symbol (like Bank-Monument, Kings Cross and Tower Gateway-Tower Hill walking link in London).

Only when all the walkways and joint tickering is finished should they be rebranded, if at all.

The Enforcer!

[Ganyc]

jptokal,

Why do you mention that buying a Bangkok Subway ticket is easy only until August 12 ? What logic is yours ?


Ganyc

[jpatokal]

Huh? What are you referring to? If you mean this (http://www.angkor.com/2bangkok/2bangkok/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=212), buying tickets won't become more difficult on August 12, but they will definitely become more expensive...

[Ganyc]

Bangkok,

How expensive will it be travelling by Bangkok subway after August 12 ?

Ganyc
SINGAPORE

[jpatokal]

Quoting the main Bangkok Subway page:
What is the fare? 10 baht for July 3-August 12. After that 14-36 baht with a 15% discount until the end of the year.

[The Enforcer!]

In other words starting from 12th August 2004 the lowest fare will be 12 Baht and the highest 31 Baht; and from 12th August 2005 the lowest fare will be 14 Baht and the highest 36 Baht!


The Enforcer!

[Rousseau]

It'll cost as much as 35 or 40 bahts if you travel far but I think the minimum fare is 10 bahts. It's roughly the same as BTS which is quite expensive for Thai people. I pay about the same price for a metro/bus/tram/RER ride in Paris without distance limitation, not to mention the difference in the cost of living between Thailand and France. Of course the MRTA is brand new so somebody has to pay for it but I'm afraid many people will stick to the bus system because it's quite cheap only 4 bahts for non aircon buses and they go everywhere. I didn't mention subscription for comuters though which should cut the cost of MRTA rides. How much is it to ride the MRT in Singapore by the way? I haven't been there for a while.

P. Rousseau
Paris, France

[Nekochan]

I just used Lad Prao P&R building today.


Service hours for P&R: from 5:00 am - 1:00 am.

MRTA allows no overnight parking, they fine you 1,000 Baht/day!! But for bikes, they provide no information.

MRTA offers motorists FREE PARKING! until Aug 12.

Parking fees for cars are as follows:


MRTA Users Non MRTA Users

Hrs Fees (Baht) Hrs Fees (Baht)
<= 2 5 <= 1 20
3 10 2 40
4 10 3 60
5 15 4 80
6 15 5 100
7 20 6 120
8 20 7 140
9 25 8 160
10 25 9 180
11 30 10 200
12 30 11 220
13 35 12 240
14 35 13 260
15 40 14 280
16 40 15 300
17 45 16 320
18 45 17 340
19 50 18 360
20 50 19 380

How do they khow you are MRTA users or not? Confusing!

By the way, parking fees at Sukhumvit & Phetburi = 30 Baht/Hr

All parking locations: additional min(s) will be counted as an additional one hr.

My suggestion: park your car at Lotus Fortune Town. You have 4 hrs of free parking!!

[The Enforcer!]

What is the distance to interchange here with SRT?

The Enforcer!

[Ganyc]

Bangkok,


What is the nearest hotel to Subway station and World Trade Centre ?

Ganyc

[jpatokal]

You can have either a subway station or the WTC, but not both...

But Grand Hyatt Erawan, Intercontinental and the Chidlom Skytrain station are all right across the street from the WTC.

[Wisarut]

About 300 meter for the Northern Train and
500 meter for Southern Train ... You better walk very QUICKLY

[The Enforcer!]

Not wishing to be perdantic but WTC was rebranded Central World Plaza some two years ago!

In addition to those mentioned by Kh. Wisarut the following hotels are also 'close' to CWP - Four Seasons, Arnoma, Holiday Inn Bangkok and Amari Watergate.

The Enforcer!

[The Enforcer!]

Dear Kh. Wisarut,

Not sure that I follow this. Do you mean that there are different stations (sets of platforms) at Bangsue for trains on N/NE line as opposed to those on S line?

The Enforcer!

[Wisarut]

Yep, Separated Platform, One for North and the Northeast Railway while the other platform is for the Southern Railway
... Southern Railway is almsot alway the favoprit child of SRT since it bring more revenue than the Norhterh and Northeastern Railway ... Thanks to the conenction with Malaysian Railway Networks.

[The Enforcer!]

Many thanks, Khun Wisarut, must visit it one day.

I don't suppose there are any station layouts available on the net?

The Enforcer!

[Nekochan]

Ummm,

The nearest hotel to MRT station is Fortune Hotel at Fortune town?? It is just right next to one exit.

The nearest hotel to BTS (Siam) station was Siam Intercontinental Hotel(but not anymore).

What about Asia Hotel at Ratchtewee BTS station?

WTC is close to Chidlom station rather than Siam.

[The Enforcer!]

Not sure what is the question? What hotel are close to BOTH CWP and subway?

The Enforcer!

[Ganyc]

Khun Bangkok,

How to reach Ruamprasong Building by Skytrain or Subway ? This building is at 37 Petchburi Soi 15. I cannot find it on the Bangkok tourist map.

Ganyc

[The Enforcer!]

Dear Kh. Ganyc,

Go to Ratchathewi Skytrain. Walk north to Petchburi Road, turn right. Cross the road and Soi 15 is 550m on the left.

Ruamprasong is 15m on the leftdown this Soi.

The Enforcer!

[Nekochan]

MRTA people have changed some names since they first planned MRTA.

Sukhumvit station was changed to Asoke and changed back to Sukhumvit.

(It's unofficial name "Soi Cowboy Station"?)


Rama 9 is Phra Ram Nine (why not Phra Ram Kao?)

Thai Cultural Center should be "Soon Prachum Sirikij"

[Nekochan]

Sorry!!

Soon Prachum Sirikij is Queen Sirikij Center.

[The Enforcer!]

Originally posted by Nekochan
Sorry!!

Soon Prachum Sirikij is Queen Sirikij Center.

"Centre" according to MRTA!!

The Enforcer!

[Nekochan]

Check these links:

http://www.mrta.co.th/news/service_p&r.htm

http://www.mrta.co.th/news/rate_p&r.htm

It is in Thai, sorry!!

[Ganyc]

Hi, Bangkok,

Are there food courts near Subway and Skytrain stations, especially near Ratchathewi, Victory Monument, Petchaburi, QSNCC and Sukhumvit ? Where are they exactly located ?

Ganyc

[Ganyc]

Hi, Bangkok,

What is the cost of a Subway ride to QSNCC station from Si Lom station ?

Ganyc

[Wisarut]

Khun Gyanc,

For the case of Silom to Queen Sirikit Center via MRTA Subway,
the ticket prices can be shown as follows:

Regular Rate First year Rate
1) Adults: 18 Baht 15 Baht
2) Children (3-4 feet height): 9 Baht 8 Baht
3) Senior Citizen over 65: 9 Baht 8 Baht
4) Infants (less than 3 feet): -> Free Free

Exchange Rate: S$1 = 25 Baht -. Very bargianing price INDEED
for singaporean.

Chindren rate and Senior rate will apply only those who purchase Smart Cards -> not those who buy back smart token.

The initial price to pay for Smart cards is 300 Baht and you can refill any time you want.


Reference: http://www.mrta.co.th/main/rate-table.htm

[Wisarut]

So far, Tehre are food courts ater teh follwoing places:

1) QNCC - inside Queen Sirikit Center (Go to Gate 3 and you'll see)
2) Sukhumvit - goto Robinson Sukhumvit
3) Silom - goto eityher Robinson Silom or Central Silom
4) Victory Monmuent, you better look aroudn the Victory
Monument circle from Skytrian and then you can dorp down to any place ...

However, I would reccommend the Chinese restaurant
at the section near the bus ehading to Pathumwan (AKA Dok Ya section)

Food stalls in front of Rajavithi Hospital is reccommended for good hygene ...

Food stalls at side near the bus headign to Pakkret and Lad Phrao atre OKAY

However, I feel very doubt abotu the food stall at Fashion Mall Section

5) Ratchathewee, you better drop down at the food stalls at the gate near Rachathewee Intersection (at the side oposite to Aisa Hotel)

Phetburi? ... Pretty hard to find so I would NOT recoommend you to fidn the food stall there ... unless you are heading to SWU (Sri Nakarintharawiroj University) ... Ther are several food stalls on Campus to kill your hungriness.

[pong]

BKK is loaded with foodcourts, I prefer those in the main hyperstores, like Tesco/Lotus, Carrefour, Big-C, as theyre Aircon, easily accessible and the quality, weel, is usually OK, not excellent.
Just search for their websites, all have some 20-25 stores in/around big BKK.

[Wisarut]

Oh, If you drop down at Thailand Cultural center, you should head to Jusco Ratchada for finding soemthign to eat

Phaholyothin -> Good old central Plaza Lad Phrao .... but Untion Mall will come to rival Central soon.

Bangsue , You should ask Motocycle Taxi to take you to lotus Prachachuen and pay 20 Baht for thsoe motorcycle driver ... Otherwise, beter wait unti there is a feeder bus at bangsue ... In that case, rider Bus No 97 or 50 to Biug C Wongsawang ...

[Ganyc]

Hi, Bangkok,

Are there any tourist attractions near the Subway stations along the "Blue" Line other than QSNCC, Silom, Sukhumvit District and Lumphini Park ?

How about tourist attractions near Nana and Ekkamai BTS stations ?

How to reach this address: Ekkamai Soi 3, Sukhumvit 63 from Ekkamai Skytrain station ?

[The Enforcer!]

Chatuchak Park, Thai Cultural Centre spring to mind!

Does MRTA not provide a list/map/tourist guide, anyone?

The Enforcer!

[Wisarut]

Better try to play around with "Entertainment " around Huai Kwang station as well as Phra Ram 9 station ....

Chatuchak Park and Thailand Cultuyral center would be fine though ... Otehrwise, Goto Hua Lamphong for Chinatown

BTW, For Ekkamai Soi 3, Ya shold drop down at Wat Thatthong section of Ekkamai station and then ride a motorcycle taxi to reach the place you like to go along Ekkamai Road (Sukhumvit 63).

[Ganyc]

Sawadee, Bangkok,

What is the top-up rate of a Bangkok Subway adult stored value ticket ?

[admin]

i don't know that there is a limit--i top my up with 500 baht each time

[Wisarut]

The actual maximum amount for refilling (top up rate) the store value Subway card is 1000 Baht

[The Enforcer!]

Originally posted by Wisarut
The actual maximum amount for refilling (top up rate) the store value Subway card is 1000 Baht

I hope that they will honour these tickets when you fill them up, unlike the Skytrain which robbed me of the last 200+ Baht as the ticket itself was over two years old!

The Enforcer!

[ncr]

Originally posted by Nekochan
How do they khow you are MRTA users or not? Confusing! Yesterday I noticed a new addition to Phetburi Station. On the ticketing level (behind the turnstiles, close to the exit information) there was a device (card reader) attached to the wall, together with a sign explaining how to use it (only in Thai language). The description said khrueang bantuek suan lot - which translates as something like "discount registering machine".

It appears that when you enter the parking lot, you receive a card that registers the time of your arrival. After your return, you pay according to the time passed. If you have used the subway, before you exit the station, you press the card against that device on the wall (similar to how the smart card ticket system works), and it then deducts the discount for MRTA users.

[Ganyc]

Dear Khun Bangkok,

Why don't the Subway and Skytrain stations have public toilets for locals and tourists alike ? Answering nature's call is a natural thing to do but unable to find a public toilet to answer nature's call is a tragedy of a metropolis like Bangkok. It is unhealthy to tolerate with the volume of urine one has without easy access to a public toilet especially when Bangkok's weather is hotter than Singapore and everyone is encouraged to drink more bottled water than before.

The Subway stations are friendly to the handicapped. This is an advantage but the route maps can be further improved so that all the buildings around the Subway stations can be easily found on the maps, without asking the Subway staff how to go to such and such building.

Above is my verdict on Skytrain and Subway stations. I will return to Bangkok briefly to take back my remaining belongings in my Bangkok guesthouse at Charlie House.

Ganyc

[Wisarut]

Theiu kind of question havbe already baffled many Bangkokians though ...

For teh case fo Skytrain: They think that Publci restrooms not far from Skytrian station and the restroom at mall and department store are adequate enough ...


For the case fo SUbway: It's all abotu sucurity ... the sarin attack on Tokyo Subway by Aum Shin RInkyo have already forced MRTA to close down the subway restrooms by the advices form Amercian security experts.


Yep, confusing signs to the gates have already force BMCL to attach the direction arrows on the wal but more to be done so ...

[Ganyc]

Khun Bangkok,

The Subway and Skytrain should have public toilets manned by security like the security on alert nearby the tracks. To a new comer, finding a public toilet is far and difficult, unless there are signs at the stations indicating where to find the nearest public toilets. Otherwise, in time, many locals in Bangkok may start suffering from kidney failure and other illnesses as a result of suspension over right-to-do urinal activity. The health opportunity costs are very high.

The public toilets at the stations are a must so that the station staff can be tracked where they are going. It is not going to boost productivity if the station staff have to walk more than 200 metres to find a public toilet.

The only place that one should fear of a sarin attack or terrorist attack along the Malaya peninsula is at Johor Bahru Checkpoint. The security devices there are not working. Anyone can launch a terrorist attack there.

Singapore

[Wisarut]

For the case fo Skytrain, they may have to construct the addtional section for the rest rooms ... but I think the owners of the buildings along SKytrain routes would OPPOSE such an idea since they would NEVER want someone to build TOILETS infront of their buildings .. The toilets would cause detrimental effects to their Fengshui at very grave level.

Furthermore, I'm not so sure of BMA would allw BTS to construct toilet ion the islands along the routes ....


For the case fo Subway ... Even though MRTA could install the CCTV, but the passengers would feel FROWN upon MRTA since they violate theri privacy ... and many of those peeping Toms have used camcorners to producer peeping VCDs sold in Patip, Fortune Town, and Tawanna .....

Well, anotehr options is the sucurity ... need female security guyards so theat they can go to female restrooms without problems ..... but they may have to throw hand grenades as well as fire assult rifles when they are necessary to do so ... along with the first aids .... and the arts of using security baton.

[mrtfreak]

what abt unisex toilets? or CCTV at toilets entrance. they could see if a person leaves a bag etc inside. and routine checks like every 15mins is a good supporting measure. jb checkpoint might be moved to a new location.

[Nekochan]

I think there is one toilet at each BTS station. It is for BTS staff only. It is not practical to get out of the station looking for a toilet somewhere. You may think about a station like Thong Lor or Ekkamai not Siam.

BMA buils some public toilets, but do not even try to use any of them!!

For MRTA, are they too serious about security?

[Wisarut]

Yep, very serious since the Embassy of Japan has requested the Security Gaurd in Phetburi station to enforce the security rules to maximum ... Photograph inside Subway Station is STRICTLY PROHIBITED!

[Ganyc]

Where are the public toilets built by BMA ? Are they sub-standard ?

In Singapore, the public toilets are at MRT stations, shopping centres and coffeeshops.

Bangkok should have good public toilets even if the Sibway and BTS do not want to have public toilets. Otherwise, many Thais wil be susceptible to kidney problems if they have to bear with urine.

[Wisarut]

Khun Ganyc,

For the case of BMA Toilet, you can see them near the followign skytrain and subway stations

1) Victory Monument - in fornt of Rajvithi Hospital
2) Mochit (in fornt of Chatuchak park)
3) Onnut (in front of Tesco Lotus)
4) Kamphaengphet (Gate 2 - inside Chatuchak weekend market)


However, most people woudl prefer the restrooms inside department stores since it is REALLy well-maintainted ....
BMA restoom seem not to be well maintainated at all depite of 3-Baht fee for each person ... Many just want to reap the profit without paying attention on the maintainance until it is full ....

[Ganyc]

Why are Thais like that ? Why is BMA so lazy ? Don't Bangkok Tourist Bureau care at all about the cleanliness of the public restrooms ? BMA is only adding the pressure on Thais' lifestyle.

Seoul and Singapore have been sprucing up the cleanliness and attractiveness of the public toilets with Seoul's the best.

[ncr]

Have you noticed the yellow letters that have recently appeared on the subway ventilation shafts? As far as I know, all of them either say "VS" or "VN". Could that probably signify "ventilation shaft - northbound line/southbound line"?

My idea is based on the follwing thought:

Inside the stations, at the ends of the platforms, there are also such yellow signs: N and S (never E or W), which accordingly has to mean "northbound" and "southbound" tunnel. (It does not represent the actual orientation, just where the tunnel heads to - that means towards Bangsue (N) or Hualamphong (S). Sometimes, like in Chatuchak Station, "southbound" can mean Northeast in reality, due to the turns that the line takes!)

[Ganyc]

How to get to Bangkok Airways Head Office ? Is it located near Subway station Chatuchak/Jatujak and accessible by walking ?


How to get to Leconcorde Tower at Ratchadapisek Road in Huay Kwang district ?

[Wisarut]

For the case of Bangkok Airway HQ, the address is:

99 Mu 14, Vibhavadirangsit Highway,
Chom Phon, Chatuchak, Bangkok, 10900, Thailand
Tel : 66 (02) 265 5678
Fax : 66 (02) 265 5500
Ticket/Reservation : 66 (02) 265 5555
Reservation Center : 1771
Fax (Reservation) : 66 (02) 265 5556
Fax (Sale) : 66 (02) 265 5522
Email Address : reservation@bangkokair.co.th


That mean you have to drop down at Phaholyothin Station
at Gate 2 and then take a motorcycle taxi to that HQ which
may NOT be far away from Thai Inter HQ

For the case of Le Concorde Tower, You better drop down at Huai Kwang Station
at Gate 2 and make a short walk passing a bus stop

[ttaaee]

Wasn't it today a year ago that the subway was unofficially opened? :confused:

Correction: It was opened officially on the 3rd of July 2004.

[ncr]

Yeah, and no celebration / special announcement / marketing campaign (correct me if I'm wrong)?

[Wisarut]

BMCL DID make a marketing campaign ... tossing a pair of giant dices and yopu'll get the wristband + pen at Lad Phrao station .... if you get the same colors :p

[Ganyc]

Dear Bangkok,

URGENT !!! How to go to Manorom Building from MRT Queen Sirikit Convention Centre ? How far is Manorom Building along Rama IV Road from Charn Issara Tower I and Charn Issara Tower II ?

How to go to Charn Issara Tower II if travel from MRT Huay Kwang ?

I want to go to these places on August 13.

Is there also web-site of Bangkok Railway Station ? What are their timings back to Bangkok Airport from Hua Lamphong ?

[Wisarut]

Manorom Buiding is opposite to The Esso (Thailand) PCL Office ... so it is NOTwithin the reach of either BTS Skytrain or MRTA Subway as the map indicated
http://www.se-ed.com/sbc/map/59.gif

Therefore, there are 2 Choices for this matter:

1) Dropping off at Queen Sirikit center (MRTA) or Phra Khanong and then
riding the bus that go along Rama 4 Road (from Klong Toei to Phra Kahanong)
2) Callign Taxi or Motorcycle to go along Rama 4 Road (from Klong Toei to Phra Kahanong)

[Wisarut]

For the case of Charn Issara Tower 2, it is on New Phetburi Road near
Klong Tan Station ... so you have to ask for Taxi or Motorcycle to pick you to Manorom Building .... via Ekkamai Road and then turn left to Pha Khanong
and then turn right to Rama 4 road ...

For the case of Charn Issara Tower 1, it is near Silom Station at Surawongse Intersection. So you better take subway from Silom to Queen Sirikit center and then takea taxi to manorom building.

[The Enforcer!]

it is NOTwithin the reach of either BTS Skytrain or MRTA Subway
..is anything?

The Enforcer!

[Ganyc]

Where is Charn Issara Tower II exactly ? How to go there from Manorom Building ?

[ncr]

As for Charn Issara II, take the subway from Huai Khwang to Phetchaburi Station, then walk some 500-600m (thanks to the anti-cooperation policy between BMTA and MRTA :mad: ) in eastern direction to the nearest bus stop on New Phetburi Rd and take any outbound bus (not that I'd recommend the green ones, though :p ). Five stops later you are there. The building is on the opposite side of the road, connected by a footbridge (well, not directly, but nevertheless....). As Khun Wisarut pointed out, it's close to Khlong Tan Station. As well as Ekkamai Nuea (North) Intersection, Foodland Phetburi, Union Tower, Wat Phasi Ekkamai. On its southern side it borders Khlong Saen Saep and has its own pier (so you can also take a boat from Asoke Pier - very close to Phetchaburi subway - if you are inclined to do so).

See, this is my backyard, so to speak. (Did I mention I live in Huaykhwang? OK, Huai Khwang.)

From Manorom Building, I don't know.... not so easy, will probably involve a taxi.

[Ganyc]

How much it will cost to reach Charn Issara Tower II by taxi from Manorom Building ?

[ncr]

How much it will cost to reach Charn Issara Tower II by taxi from Manorom Building ?My best guess is 60-70 Baht.

[Ganyc]

Then, how much it costs to travel by taxi from Bangkok International Airport to Manorom Building via the Expressway and Rama IV Road ? Do i need to pay any toll along the expressway ?

What are "expressway" and "subway" known in Thai ? Is Viparangsit Road called the "expressway" ?

[jpatokal]

Then, how much it costs to travel by taxi from Bangkok International Airport to Manorom Building via the Expressway and Rama IV Road ? Do i need to pay any toll along the expressway ?
Rough guess 150 baht plus 50 baht airport fee plus 20 baht for Don Muang Tollway plus 40 baht for the expressway.

What are "expressway" and "subway" known in Thai ? Is Viparangsit Road called the "expressway" ?
The Uttaraphimuk Elevated Tollway to Don Muang and Bang Pa-In, which goes above Vibhavadi-Rangsit, is called tonwei (hint: think "tollway") in Thai.
The subway is rot fai tai din.

[Wisarut]

Khun Ganyc,

Then, how much it costs to travel by taxi from Bangkok International Airport to Manorom Building via the Expressway and Rama IV Road ? Do i need to pay any toll along the expressway ?

What are "expressway" and "subway" known in Thai ? Is Viparangsit Road called the "expressway" ?

Donmuang Airport - Manorom Building

1) 200 Baht for Taxi
2) 50 baht for Airport Surchage on Every taxi
3) 20 Baht Tollway
4) 40 Baht for Expressway to Klogn Toei


BTW, Vibahvadee Rightsit is classifed as "Highway", NOT "road"

Expressway = Thang Duan
Tollway = Tohl Weh

[Ganyc]

Thanks for the answers.

May i know whether it is faster to travel by taxi to one of the subway stations, travel by MRT to Queen Sirikit, and board another taxi to Manorom ?

[Wisarut]

Try by yourself ...

[von Hirschhorn]

A bit late for a reply however, my eyes crosses this first two years after posting. Who cares?

Are there tourist attractions near Subway stations to see without entrance fees?

This fully depend on what you consider an attraction. Bangkok it self’s is one and that’s not limited to a handful old semi colonial buildings or old type Chinese styled warehouses or shops spread over some areas. To gasp some of the real atmosphere go to any station, disembark and stroll through that neighbourhood. Breath the air the locals have to breath and consider your self rich. (or poor if you want to) In my opinion only the ordinary things, the common, the daily struggle for live, to be a metropolitan in the wake of much even hated. Just being there is the phrase and try to be unbiased to concur a new surrounding.
On the other hand if you want to be tourist, be my quest but remember that most of the so called tourist trips are nothing else than traps after all.

[pong]

The lights I mean, after dusk thus, around Suttisarn stop, north, along Ratchada road, thats likely what our dear klun Wisarut intended to point! I really like to ride on a 136 or 513 bus there after 20.00 and it really beats PatPong for sheer lighting! Soapyland, and mainly aiming at visiting taiwanese (Evergreen hotel)
TescoLotus+Carrefour, vis=a=vis, along Klong Toey stop. Anything for shopping a farang might crave for (and some time ago Carrefour even offered free web-use, but thats gone)

[Nekochan]

Hi,

I have a question about an incoming bidding of Purple North and Blue Extentions. Some says MRTA could not have the JBIC loan until Thailand has an election and the ligitimate government, not CDR admin. Even Thailand already signed FTA (a Japanese trick?, Thaksin was in power for 5 years...he did not sign it!!)

The bidding was planned for June 07, I think. This is already July!!

Will there be any bidding this year?:confused:

The same thing goes to Red Line? A friend of mine is doing a FS for BTS North (Morchit-Sapan Mai). That route seems to go as BMA has planned.

[ooddy]

It seems difficult to find any information regarding the rail projects any where.

Where can one find the status of those projects?

[Nekochan]

I think MRTA itself keeps tighted lip about this. They want to go ahead with JBIC's load, otherwise they will find local financial sources.

The Purple North bidding is expected in September. But this was what I heard from people.

The system may not be Seimen since they will have a new depot. So, Alstrom system can be implemented. PCI has a figure of 120,000 pass in the opening year. I think it is on a high side (150,000 pass= BTS in 1999, but BTS is in BKK CBD).

Khun Wisarut also posted pictures on 2BKK. The same pictures are published in several housing guide magazines (just to select good location).

[ooddy]

Why so secretive about the project? I thought this is supposed to be transparent process and open bidding process.

I try to check any relevent website but to no avail. Do we all have to pay MRTA staff to get the information about the rail projects?

[Nekochan]

I have some friends working with consultant firms, know some guys working for OTP, MRTA, and also some farang expats.

This is the only way to get information. If you try to call them (Thai agencies)directly, they will not answer!!

If you have a chance to attend an internal meeting among agencies, you will know the missing data. I used to work as an in house consultant for OTP 10 years ago. I have not been to OTP for years. So, I have found it difficult to get inside data as well.

[Nekochan]

The latest information is this:

Nov 2007 for Purple North and early 2008 for Blue Extensions.

Do not expect it is that accurate. There are some discrepancies among media...perhaps, it will never happen at all.:confused:

[Yappofloyd]

Hi,

I have a question about an incoming bidding of Purple North and Blue Extentions. The bidding was planned for June 07, I think. This is already July!!

Will there be any bidding this year?:confused:

Well 6 months ago I would have said yes for Purple line but another gone without any tenders issued for any new line......I'm starting to come around to Khun Enforcers perennial pessimism on this front!

[The Enforcer!]

Khun Enforcers perennial pessimism on this front!
...and a Merry Christmas to all my readers!

The Enforcer!

[Wisarut]

the via duct connecting Chamchuri Square of Chulalongkorn University with Samyan station will be opened on 26 March 2008.