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FROM

THE MICK SINCLAIR

ARCHIVE

   
Bangkok's Skytrain
   
   

Intended to relieve the city's notorious traffic congestion, the elevated railway known as Skytrain opened in Bangkok in early 2000.

   
Instructions for using the system are given in English and Thai, reflecting the high numbers of foreigners making use of Skytrain.
Although Skytrain fares are low by world standards, many ordinary Thais still prefer to save money by using the city's buses for regular journeys.
As this difficult-to-photograph sign shows, food vendors, eating, smoking and dropping litter are among the things banned on Skytrain.
As a result, Skytrain stations and trains seem remarkably clean and well-ordered compared to Bangkok's more established public transport.
Skytrain operates between 6am and midnight. So far, the system has just two lines; more routes and stations are under construction.
   
   
At the end of their journey, Skytrain users exit the station knowing they have completed in minutes a journey that may have taken hours by bus through Bangkok's heavy traffic.
   

 

 

text and images © mick sinclair

       
       

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