Safety first, safety last

THINK BOX

Published: 27 Feb 2013 at 00.00
Newspaper section: Life

In Bangkok, it might be better to drive a car and get stuck in a traffic jam rather than take public transport. I decided not to drive because of our notorious and incurable congestion (regardless of who's the governor). Consequently, I have always relied on buses, taxis, subway and skytrains _ every day.

As a Bangkokian who uses the trains on a regular basis, it is apparent that our convenience and safety are probably not at the top of their checklist. Let me give you some examples _ they are nothing new, but you usually ignore them.

The Airport Rail Link (ARL) is the quickest way to get to the airport; it takes you from downtown (Phaya Thai) to Suvarnabhumi in only 17 minutes. Because of its speed, it has become well known to people who live near its stations, especially since it also offers a city line service.

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oldexp
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Discussion 12 : 27 Feb 2013 at 19.0912
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Minimal security at MRT stations. Don't make this fact even more public. You know that they shoot the messenger in Thailand.
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drsmith
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Discussion 11 : 27 Feb 2013 at 17.4511
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Welcome to Thailand. It really isn't that amazing when you get right down to it, but quite third world.
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barryw
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Discussion 10 : 27 Feb 2013 at 15.5110
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The MRT 'security' guards are absolutely useless. The nano-second flash of a torch is only done for show, as is so much in Thailand. The problem is the Thai distaste of confrontation, challenging someone to properly check contents. Similarly, I've seen many people walk through the exit doors at Siam Paragon to avoid the scanners. Security sees them and does nothing. For similar reasons Bangkok is wide open to terrorism.
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tony_n
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Discussion 9 : 27 Feb 2013 at 15.089
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The flashlight ritual sums up 'safety' in Thailand. All form, no substance.

I bet I could walk through there smelling of petrol and with an M79 in my bag and no one would stop me.
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cinbkk
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Discussion 8 : 27 Feb 2013 at 14.318
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This topic has been discussed ad nauseam on many forums, and this article reveals nothing new. In fact it just touches on the lack of failings, which also include poorly planned taxi access at makkasan, the lack of down escalators, poor signage, almost unused airport check-in at makkasan.

The whole project was a great idea, poorly executed.
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markvdl
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Discussion 7 : 27 Feb 2013 at 14.167
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Another comment about traffic in Bangkok: my wife lives in Krung Thep Krita rd, about 22 km from her work in Chulalongkorn Hospital. Several times we compared the time she needs to go to her work (bus, boat, airport link ...) with my way, using the bicycle. During a quiet day (Sunday)we needed about the same time, but during other days, I was much faster. Besides, cycling is good for health, good for environment, good for the traffic and cheap (at least when Thai start to sell good but cheaper bicycles).
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markvdl
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Discussion 6 : 27 Feb 2013 at 14.096
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I experienced several times the bad connection between ARL and MRT in Makkasan. I also wonder why there is an expensive Direct Express Train, nearly always empty (!), while the Commuter Train is always full. It would be better to cancel the Express Train and have more Commuter Trains. This would be at first better for the locals who are living near Ramkhanhaeng, Hua Mark and Lat Krabang. And tourists who want to save some money, are low budget tourists. They too will prefer the cheaper Cummuter train to the Express.
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Eric
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Discussion 5 : 27 Feb 2013 at 14.055
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Like Khun Sithikorn, I dread driving into the city and will park my car at one of the MRT station; Lad Prao my favorite for the shade, and take the train. Besides I need some exercise. However there are just to little car parks at stations and I urged the MRT to build more covered car parks. I fully agreed with the connectivity & safety between Makasan and the nearest MRT station. That's why I don't take the ARL. As for the spot check, follow the examples of the Singapore and Hong Kong where the security only do random check without the need of the beep door.
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wangsuda
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Discussion 4 : 27 Feb 2013 at 12.344
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The ARL is no longer fast. It's speed has been cut by half (and yes, I have timed it), and there is a longer wait between trains. Just another shining example of the fact that Thais and technology do NOT mix.
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uberbraun
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Discussion 3 : 27 Feb 2013 at 09.013
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Indeed, safety last, in Thailand.
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Safety first, safety last | Bangkok Post: opinion