But now you are saying that the "stopping" service does stop at Makkasan?
Swampy Train connection
Re: Swampy Train connection
Thanks, Governor. With my original post I may have confused the issue by writing BTS, rather than the stopping service of the new system. My comment was that the only train that stops at Makkasan is the new express, as that is how I read both the map and the comment I referred to.
But now you are saying that the "stopping" service does stop at Makkasan?
But now you are saying that the "stopping" service does stop at Makkasan?
May you be in heaven half an hour before the devil know`s you`re dead!
Re: Swampy Train connection
The wording in this photo Nereus indicates that the City Line indeed stops at Makkasan. Pete
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/transpo ... -rail-link
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/transpo ... -rail-link
Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. Source
Re: Swampy Train connection
Yes, I see that now, Pete, but I have also read somewhere that it stops at 6 stations, and somewhere else 8 stations! When I get a chance I will go and have a look / trip on it. cheers
May you be in heaven half an hour before the devil know`s you`re dead!
Re: Swampy Train connection
I live near Makkasan and I can confirm that the city line trains are certainly stopping there.
There are a total of eight stations, so it stops at sex enroute to the destinations.
There are a total of eight stations, so it stops at sex enroute to the destinations.
Re: Swampy Train connection
Cool! Cowboy or Nana?Governor wrote:it stops at sex enroute to the destinations.
Re: Swampy Train connection
Freudian slip!
My brain is like an Internet browser; 12 tabs are open and 5 of them are not responding, there's a GIF playing in an endless loop,... and where is that annoying music coming from?
Re: Swampy Train connection
Sadly neither, though Makkasan is a little way up the Asoke Road from Cowboy - apparantly!BaaBaa. wrote:Cool! Cowboy or Nana?Governor wrote:it stops at sex enroute to the destinations.
Re: Swampy Train connection
For the benefit of mabubba (from the locked thread), Makkasan Station is across the street from the old Mercure Hotel, now the Bangkok Palace Hotel, which is at the end of Petchburi Road Soi 35 and which can be seen from Expressway No.1 as you head North from Sukhumvit or South towards Sukhumvit. It's a 5 minute taxi ride to Nana Plaza if that puts it into more context! It's quite a bit further to Soi Cowboy....!
Re: Swampy Train connection
Haha, I didn't know what Swampy meant....my apologies.
Re: Swampy Train connection
Here is another article about the new train service to the airport. I will not try to copy it as it includes some maps and photos.
Except for this quotation: "But if you are taking the MRT subway, Exit 3 of its Phetchaburi stop is the nearest access point to Makkasan. But then you need to cross a road and railway line, after which walk some 200 metres to get to the Express Line's platform".
http://www.bangkokpost.com/travel/trave ... id-transit
Except for this quotation: "But if you are taking the MRT subway, Exit 3 of its Phetchaburi stop is the nearest access point to Makkasan. But then you need to cross a road and railway line, after which walk some 200 metres to get to the Express Line's platform".
http://www.bangkokpost.com/travel/trave ... id-transit
May you be in heaven half an hour before the devil know`s you`re dead!
Re: Swampy Train connection
A letter from the Bangkok Post, Post Bag section. Confirms my thoughts when comparing to systems in use by other airports in the region. Not enough planning or thought. 
Pete
"Don't take train, get a cab if you have luggage
I recently had the misfortune to take the new Airport Express from Suvarnabhumi to my home near Sukhumvit Soi Thonglor. Although the train is indeed fast and modern, the connections on both ends made the trip extremely unpleasant in terms of comfort and convenience, especially when travelling with luggage.
First, at Suvarnabhumi one cannot take the luggage trolley up to the train platform, which is very inconvenient if travelling with heavy bags. On the city line the seats are narrow and uncomfortable and there is nowhere to stow luggage except in the first and last carriages.
On arrival at Makkasan station, again there are no luggage trolleys available and negotiating the escalators with multiple pieces of luggage is challenging, to say the least. There were no taxis available at the station and even if there were, they could only exit onto Ratchadapisek Road in the direction of Huay Khwang. Instead, I had to walk on the road (of course there are no sidewalks) and over a railway line dodging cars and motorbikes for about 300 metres to reach the MRT station.
Again, descending the escalators with luggage was impractical and then I had to open my bags at the MRT security control, causing a backup in the line behind me. It was rush hour and the MRT was crowded, with no place to stow luggage.
I exited at the Sukhumvit station and again negotiated multiple escalators for another difficult connection to the Asoke BTS station. I missed 3 BTS trains before I could find one that had enough room to enter with my luggage.
When I finally descended at Thonglor BTS station to take a taxi, I was completely exhausted and vowed never again to repeat the experience. Compared to the highly efficient and well-planned Hong Kong Airport Express, Bangkok's version is an inefficient and impractical nightmare.
The only thing I had to be thankful for is that at least it was not raining at the time I negotiated the long walk from Makkasan station to the MRT. My advice to travellers is: don't bother with the train, and take a taxi from the airport.
MICHAEL SPENCER"
Pete "Don't take train, get a cab if you have luggage
I recently had the misfortune to take the new Airport Express from Suvarnabhumi to my home near Sukhumvit Soi Thonglor. Although the train is indeed fast and modern, the connections on both ends made the trip extremely unpleasant in terms of comfort and convenience, especially when travelling with luggage.
First, at Suvarnabhumi one cannot take the luggage trolley up to the train platform, which is very inconvenient if travelling with heavy bags. On the city line the seats are narrow and uncomfortable and there is nowhere to stow luggage except in the first and last carriages.
On arrival at Makkasan station, again there are no luggage trolleys available and negotiating the escalators with multiple pieces of luggage is challenging, to say the least. There were no taxis available at the station and even if there were, they could only exit onto Ratchadapisek Road in the direction of Huay Khwang. Instead, I had to walk on the road (of course there are no sidewalks) and over a railway line dodging cars and motorbikes for about 300 metres to reach the MRT station.
Again, descending the escalators with luggage was impractical and then I had to open my bags at the MRT security control, causing a backup in the line behind me. It was rush hour and the MRT was crowded, with no place to stow luggage.
I exited at the Sukhumvit station and again negotiated multiple escalators for another difficult connection to the Asoke BTS station. I missed 3 BTS trains before I could find one that had enough room to enter with my luggage.
When I finally descended at Thonglor BTS station to take a taxi, I was completely exhausted and vowed never again to repeat the experience. Compared to the highly efficient and well-planned Hong Kong Airport Express, Bangkok's version is an inefficient and impractical nightmare.
The only thing I had to be thankful for is that at least it was not raining at the time I negotiated the long walk from Makkasan station to the MRT. My advice to travellers is: don't bother with the train, and take a taxi from the airport.
MICHAEL SPENCER"
Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. Source
Re: Swampy Train connection
Another direct experience once again from Bangkok Post Post Bag, Pete
"Lugging about on train
Regarding the Airport Express, I've had an experience (on Aug 31) similar to that related by Michael Spencer (Postbag, Sept 10). Makkasan station is a huge, multi-storeyed structure and it took me some time to find a guard who called me a taxi (the taxi stand is located some distance from the parking lot, not directly at the exit).
Immediately after leaving Makkasan, we encountered a mess of traffic. The driver didn't seem very keen on taking me to my destination near The Mall, Ngam Wong Wan. I finally ended up at the MRT station which Mr Spencer had reached by walking. Upon passing through the security control with one big and three smaller pieces of luggage, an official took a picture of me, while the security guard asked me to open my luggage. The three of us discussed the issue; it did not seem that I was the first foreigner who'd turned up at that spot.
Both the official and the security guard were embarrassed, and repeatedly apologised to me, but I had to go down on my knees to open my luggage nevertheless.
It must have been quite a sight for the passing Thai passengers, seeing a farang kneeling down in public to open his luggage. Since both men were embarrassed, the check was so superficial that it was rendered useless altogether.
In fact, both Mr Spencer and I should not have used the express train in the first place, but the ordinary service. It is only marginally slower than the express version but has the advantage of connecting directly and rather conveniently to the BTS system at Phya Thai station.
Mr Spencer could thus have gone to BTS Thong Lor directly from there, rather than first getting on the MRT system.
MICHAEL NELSON"
"Lugging about on train
Regarding the Airport Express, I've had an experience (on Aug 31) similar to that related by Michael Spencer (Postbag, Sept 10). Makkasan station is a huge, multi-storeyed structure and it took me some time to find a guard who called me a taxi (the taxi stand is located some distance from the parking lot, not directly at the exit).
Immediately after leaving Makkasan, we encountered a mess of traffic. The driver didn't seem very keen on taking me to my destination near The Mall, Ngam Wong Wan. I finally ended up at the MRT station which Mr Spencer had reached by walking. Upon passing through the security control with one big and three smaller pieces of luggage, an official took a picture of me, while the security guard asked me to open my luggage. The three of us discussed the issue; it did not seem that I was the first foreigner who'd turned up at that spot.
Both the official and the security guard were embarrassed, and repeatedly apologised to me, but I had to go down on my knees to open my luggage nevertheless.
It must have been quite a sight for the passing Thai passengers, seeing a farang kneeling down in public to open his luggage. Since both men were embarrassed, the check was so superficial that it was rendered useless altogether.
In fact, both Mr Spencer and I should not have used the express train in the first place, but the ordinary service. It is only marginally slower than the express version but has the advantage of connecting directly and rather conveniently to the BTS system at Phya Thai station.
Mr Spencer could thus have gone to BTS Thong Lor directly from there, rather than first getting on the MRT system.
MICHAEL NELSON"
Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. Source
Re: Swampy Train connection
Not working out as planned. Perhaps yet another case of too much skimming and under qualified planners and designers. 
Pete
Overpriced airport link is 'a debacle'
SPECIAL REPORT: Passengers unhappy with shoddy service are looking elsewhere
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/2 ... -a-debacle
* Published: 18/04/2011 at 12:00 AM
* Newspaper section: News
The rail link project between central Bangkok and Suvarnabhumi airport has turned out to be a fiasco, with passengers paying up to 150 baht for what they say is a shoddy service.
No escalators, no trolleys, no car park and no connecting facilities are just some of the complaints.
Officials have been bombarded with complaints.
There have been complaints that the terminals at the stations are badly signposted; there are no escalators; and there are no trolleys for passengers with heavy bags to use. Other complaints include the lack of a car park and no facilities linking the stations to public transport.
Passengers also complained the train "looks old" and the seats are uncomfortable. Many passengers are also upset by the way the doors to the train shut with heavy force.
Basic technical equipment has also failed.
Permanent secretary for transport Supoj Saplom admitted the problems and lack of facilities stemmed from the operation's substandard design.
The 28-kilometre Airport Rail Link between central Bangkok and Suvarnabhumi airport has been plagued with these problems after less than one year of trials and service.
On March 27, the express non-stop train service of the Airport Rail Link from Makkasan station to Suvarnabhumi was halted due to a technical problem, although commuter trains on the line had been operating as normal.
Carbon brushes _ an essential component in the brakes of the electric-powered train _ that were supposed to last six months failed after only three days of use.
Pakorn Tangjedsakao, acting managing director of SRT Electric Train Co, which manages the rail link project, said express train services were halted after the company ran out of the carbon brushes, which are worth about 100,000 baht each.
Mr Pakorn said it was also found the express train's disk brakes developed cracks and the brake pads were also wearing down faster than usual. The company has contacted Siemens, the contractor, to fix the problems as quickly as possible, Mr Pakorn said.
He said the train must have a stock of spare parts worth about 10% of the price of the locomotive.
He said the trains under the project are worth 4.65 billion baht so the stock of spare parts must be worth about 460 million baht.
But at the initial stage of the project, there were problems related to the budget and no contract was made to arrange for the stocks of spare parts, Mr Pakorn said.
He said the company's executives have asked the board members to allocate a budget of about 270 million baht to buy spare parts.
The service started operating on a trial basis on June 1 last year providing free rides. The Airport Rail Link began full commercial operations with promotional fares on Aug 23 last year.
The Airport Rail Link offers City Line, which runs from Phaya Thai to Suvarnabhumi with a full range of stops. The 30-minute ride costs a flat rate of 15 baht. The Express Line runs non-stop from Makkasan to the airport, taking just 15 minutes and costs 100 baht. Trains run from 6am to midnight.
After Jan 1, 2011, fares for the City Line varied from 15 baht to 45 baht, while the Express Line rose to 150 baht.
Permanent secretary for transport Supoj Saplom said the increase in fares for the Express Line has led to a sharp drop in the number of passengers to 700 a day, below the target of 2,200, although the City Line still can attract between 36,000 to 40,000 a day.
Mr Supoj said the company earns about 35 million baht a month but its expenditure is much higher at about 77 million baht a month. This means the losses total 42 million baht a month.
Mr Supoj said the solution is to attract more passengers to the Express Line, most of whom are travellers and tourists with heavy bags, by installing more facilities. He admitted that the inconvenience and the lack of facilities stem from the substandard design. Urgent steps are being taken to make improvements, he said.
State Railway of Thailand governor Yutthana Thapcharoen said the SRT has set aside a budget of 646 million baht to improve and build facilities and signposts at all stations within this year.
About 250 million baht will be spent on improving the Makkasan station. Of that amount, 80 million baht will be allocated to build a 130m-skywalk to link the concourse on the Makkasan station to the underground railway's Phetchaburi station.
Deputy government spokesman Supachai Jaisamut said the cabinet resolved on April 12 that the Finance Ministry arrange a loan worth 1.86 billion baht for SRT Electric Train Co to help the company run the Airport Rail Link project.
Kantapa Piriyapongsa, an office employee, complained the trains do not arrive on time, resulting in passengers missing flights at Suvarnabhumi.
Rungroj Piyapanuwat, a teacher, said the doors to the trains close violently and the seats in the trains are uncomfortable.
Nuttaya Jaisongkror, a student, said she had to travel a long way by taxi to reach Thap Chang station and that there were no signposts at the station.
Sri-arun Jangtiyanont, an office worker, said there were no escalators for passengers with heavy bags and the lifts are too far away.
Pete Overpriced airport link is 'a debacle'
SPECIAL REPORT: Passengers unhappy with shoddy service are looking elsewhere
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/2 ... -a-debacle
* Published: 18/04/2011 at 12:00 AM
* Newspaper section: News
The rail link project between central Bangkok and Suvarnabhumi airport has turned out to be a fiasco, with passengers paying up to 150 baht for what they say is a shoddy service.
No escalators, no trolleys, no car park and no connecting facilities are just some of the complaints.
Officials have been bombarded with complaints.
There have been complaints that the terminals at the stations are badly signposted; there are no escalators; and there are no trolleys for passengers with heavy bags to use. Other complaints include the lack of a car park and no facilities linking the stations to public transport.
Passengers also complained the train "looks old" and the seats are uncomfortable. Many passengers are also upset by the way the doors to the train shut with heavy force.
Basic technical equipment has also failed.
Permanent secretary for transport Supoj Saplom admitted the problems and lack of facilities stemmed from the operation's substandard design.
The 28-kilometre Airport Rail Link between central Bangkok and Suvarnabhumi airport has been plagued with these problems after less than one year of trials and service.
On March 27, the express non-stop train service of the Airport Rail Link from Makkasan station to Suvarnabhumi was halted due to a technical problem, although commuter trains on the line had been operating as normal.
Carbon brushes _ an essential component in the brakes of the electric-powered train _ that were supposed to last six months failed after only three days of use.
Pakorn Tangjedsakao, acting managing director of SRT Electric Train Co, which manages the rail link project, said express train services were halted after the company ran out of the carbon brushes, which are worth about 100,000 baht each.
Mr Pakorn said it was also found the express train's disk brakes developed cracks and the brake pads were also wearing down faster than usual. The company has contacted Siemens, the contractor, to fix the problems as quickly as possible, Mr Pakorn said.
He said the train must have a stock of spare parts worth about 10% of the price of the locomotive.
He said the trains under the project are worth 4.65 billion baht so the stock of spare parts must be worth about 460 million baht.
But at the initial stage of the project, there were problems related to the budget and no contract was made to arrange for the stocks of spare parts, Mr Pakorn said.
He said the company's executives have asked the board members to allocate a budget of about 270 million baht to buy spare parts.
The service started operating on a trial basis on June 1 last year providing free rides. The Airport Rail Link began full commercial operations with promotional fares on Aug 23 last year.
The Airport Rail Link offers City Line, which runs from Phaya Thai to Suvarnabhumi with a full range of stops. The 30-minute ride costs a flat rate of 15 baht. The Express Line runs non-stop from Makkasan to the airport, taking just 15 minutes and costs 100 baht. Trains run from 6am to midnight.
After Jan 1, 2011, fares for the City Line varied from 15 baht to 45 baht, while the Express Line rose to 150 baht.
Permanent secretary for transport Supoj Saplom said the increase in fares for the Express Line has led to a sharp drop in the number of passengers to 700 a day, below the target of 2,200, although the City Line still can attract between 36,000 to 40,000 a day.
Mr Supoj said the company earns about 35 million baht a month but its expenditure is much higher at about 77 million baht a month. This means the losses total 42 million baht a month.
Mr Supoj said the solution is to attract more passengers to the Express Line, most of whom are travellers and tourists with heavy bags, by installing more facilities. He admitted that the inconvenience and the lack of facilities stem from the substandard design. Urgent steps are being taken to make improvements, he said.
State Railway of Thailand governor Yutthana Thapcharoen said the SRT has set aside a budget of 646 million baht to improve and build facilities and signposts at all stations within this year.
About 250 million baht will be spent on improving the Makkasan station. Of that amount, 80 million baht will be allocated to build a 130m-skywalk to link the concourse on the Makkasan station to the underground railway's Phetchaburi station.
Deputy government spokesman Supachai Jaisamut said the cabinet resolved on April 12 that the Finance Ministry arrange a loan worth 1.86 billion baht for SRT Electric Train Co to help the company run the Airport Rail Link project.
Kantapa Piriyapongsa, an office employee, complained the trains do not arrive on time, resulting in passengers missing flights at Suvarnabhumi.
Rungroj Piyapanuwat, a teacher, said the doors to the trains close violently and the seats in the trains are uncomfortable.
Nuttaya Jaisongkror, a student, said she had to travel a long way by taxi to reach Thap Chang station and that there were no signposts at the station.
Sri-arun Jangtiyanont, an office worker, said there were no escalators for passengers with heavy bags and the lifts are too far away.
Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. Source
-
The understudy
- Ace
- Posts: 1293
- Joined: Fri Jun 13, 2003 12:16 pm
- Location: Hua Hin, Bangkok, Berlin, L. A. rotating
Re: Swampy Train connection
Well I'd say everything above Applies to the Desaastrous Debacle of the Airport Link Pete.
I said it before & will say it again. The front nose of Both the Airport Links City Line & Express Line look Butt ugly whoever designed them should be publicly Stoned or Horse Whipped for bringing such an appaling Design to daylight.
One things for sure Siemens didn't Designed this. They built it to the costumers wishes. All the designing was done by Thai (The Big Cahuna El Toxin had ordered so that it should be a Thai design)
This Article was so Important I bothered staying up a few hours more to Translate it into German & send it to my Newsroom @ the very small German Southeast Asian (Main focus on Thailand of course) Magazine Farang Das Südostasien Magazin!
Not to be confused with the Local German Mag of Der Farang our Sister/daughter Magazin based out of Pattaya @ the the other Side of Zhe Rim!
Your's The understudy (The one & Lonely)
I said it before & will say it again. The front nose of Both the Airport Links City Line & Express Line look Butt ugly whoever designed them should be publicly Stoned or Horse Whipped for bringing such an appaling Design to daylight.
One things for sure Siemens didn't Designed this. They built it to the costumers wishes. All the designing was done by Thai (The Big Cahuna El Toxin had ordered so that it should be a Thai design)
This Article was so Important I bothered staying up a few hours more to Translate it into German & send it to my Newsroom @ the very small German Southeast Asian (Main focus on Thailand of course) Magazine Farang Das Südostasien Magazin!
Not to be confused with the Local German Mag of Der Farang our Sister/daughter Magazin based out of Pattaya @ the the other Side of Zhe Rim!
Your's The understudy (The one & Lonely)
In Love with Hua Hin since 19naughty9 and it ain't fading!!!
(My fable for All Things Japanese knows no boundaries!) Proud Student of Stamford University Hua Hin Campus from 1999 to 2004 (5th Batch of Graduates.)
“Once you survive Stamford U Hua Hin Campus only you can survive anything!!!”
(My fable for All Things Japanese knows no boundaries!) Proud Student of Stamford University Hua Hin Campus from 1999 to 2004 (5th Batch of Graduates.)
“Once you survive Stamford U Hua Hin Campus only you can survive anything!!!”
-
margaretcarnes
- Rock Star
- Posts: 4172
- Joined: Wed Jan 02, 2008 8:28 am
- Location: The Rhubarb Triangle
Re: Swampy Train connection
To be fair I think that anyone who expects to take several pieces of luggage - or even one large case - onto the BST at all is missing the point of that mode of transport. It equates to doing the same on the London Underground for example. Even the regular trains in the LOS don't have adequate storeage for luggage - although of course they should.
Bangkoks' mass transit systems are for mass transit - commuter traffic - the briefcase and Prada carrier bag crowd.
So the question is - how did the BMA or whoever come to the conclusion that a skytrain airport link was the right thing in the first place? If it is aimed just at backpackers or business travellers who can cope with one small bag then the estimate of useage should be adjusted down accordingly. And realistically the link is never going to have to cater for the majority of package deal tourists who are ferried around by coach either.
Seems it is destined to become another white elephant used mainly by GF's who are waving goodbye to their farang at Swampy before beating a hasty retreat back to Nana.
Bangkoks' mass transit systems are for mass transit - commuter traffic - the briefcase and Prada carrier bag crowd.
So the question is - how did the BMA or whoever come to the conclusion that a skytrain airport link was the right thing in the first place? If it is aimed just at backpackers or business travellers who can cope with one small bag then the estimate of useage should be adjusted down accordingly. And realistically the link is never going to have to cater for the majority of package deal tourists who are ferried around by coach either.
Seems it is destined to become another white elephant used mainly by GF's who are waving goodbye to their farang at Swampy before beating a hasty retreat back to Nana.
A sprout is for life - not just for Christmas.