Bangkok Metro & BTS

Bangkok Metro Public Company Limited (BMCL) has become the first metro operator in Thailand since Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) has given BMCL a confidence to be the concessionaire of operating The M. R. T. Chaloem Ratchamongkhon Line Project (The MRT System) on August 1, 2000.

 The MRT System starts from Bangkok Railway Station (Hua Lamphong) along Rama 4 road, crosses Samyan intersection, Silom intersection and Wireless intersection, turns left to Ratchadaphisek Road at Rama 4 intersection, passing Queen Sirikit National Convention Center to Asoke-Sukhumvit intersection, Asoke-Phetchaburi intersection, Rama 9 intersection, Huai Khwang intersection, and Sutthisan intersection, then turns left to Lat Phrao road at Ratchada-Lat Phrao intersection, faces to Lat Phrao intersection, Phahon Yothin road, Chatuchak Park, Mo Chit Northern Bus Terminal (Old), and turns right to Kamphaeng Phet road, passing The Marketing Organization for Farmers (MOF) market, and finally ends at Bang Sue Railway Station.

 Operating Hour
• 06.00 am – midnight daily.
• Frequency
            - Less than 5 minutes during the peak hours 06.00 - 09.00 am. and 04.30  – 07.30 pm.
            - Less than 10 minutes during the off-peak hours.
• Maximum 19 serviced rolling stocks.


The BTS Skytrain is the safest, most comfortable and convenient way to get around Bangkok. In service since December 5, 1999, it has transformed the face of public transportation in the Thai capital, for the first time offering both residents and visitors a comfortable ride through central Bangkok - lifting commuters above the chronic congestion, noise and pollution of the streets below.

View BTS Routes


 

Where to shop in Bangkok

Shopping in Bangkok is not limited to one or two major streets, but offers many areas throughout the city affording ample choice and easy access. The following is just a selection of some of the principal shopping districts.

PLOENCHIT-RATCHAPRASONG:
Top department stores and luxury shopping malls are concentrated in the area, namely Central, Sogo, Gaysom Plaza, Isetan, Zen, Amarin Plaza, Peninsula Plaza, all of which together make the largest shopping promenade in Bangkok. Furthermore, the World Trade Center and Narayana Phand Pavilion, host the official handicraft centre selling items from all parts of the country. Ratchaprasong intersection is the gateway to several shopping areas such as Ploenchit-Sukhumvit, Siam SquareMah Boon Krong, Silom and PratunamPhetchaburi.

SILOM- SURAWONG - PATPONG:
Silom Road is the main artery of Bangkok's commercial heart and is paralleled by Surawong Road, while Patpong runs crosswise between the two. In addition to housing dozens of specialist shops and boutiques representing all the major buys, this area also boasts many branches of wellknown retailers and several shopping plazas. Street stalls also abound, most notably at Patpong's famous night market.



SILOM-MAHESAK-NEW ROAD:

Silom leads into New Road which parallels the Chao Phraya River, and notable shopping opportunities include gems and jewellery stores (Mahesak Road is a gem trading centre), Oriental Plaza and River City shopping complex.

SUKHUMVIT:

Like Silom, Sukhumvit is one of Bangkok's main thoroughfares, and the long road is lined with shops, boutiques and modern shopping plazas ranging from Soi 3 (Nana Nua) up to Soi 63 (Ekamai). Most shops and restaurants are concentrated between Soi 3 and Soi 21 (Asoke) and along shortcuts between Asoke and Ekamai.

PRATUNAM-PHETCHABURI:

A highlight in the district is Pratunam market, one of Bangkok's biggest centres for ready-to-wear clothing.

BANG LAMPHU:
Situated close to the Grand Palace and Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Bang Lamphu has a lively market where clothing is a popular buy.

CHINATOWN:
Centre on Yaowarat Road and Sampheng Lane, Bangkok's Chinatown offers a profusion of gold shops as well as two nearby traditional shopping places, "Ban Mo Jewellery Street" and "Phahurat Cloth Marker'.

CHATUCHAK WEEKEND MARKET:

Located adjacent to Chatuchak Park, the weekend market, open on Saturday and Sunday, is a Bangkok landmark where you can buy just about everything from clothing to potted plants and everything in between - a paradise for browsers and bargainhunters alike. Chatuchak Weekend Market also offers items of furniture and home decor. It is also where professional and amateur art-lovers and artists meet.

BAIYOKE TOWER:
Located next to Bangkok's tallest hotel building, Baiyoke Tower is one of the city's renowned garment centres.



NAI LERT MARKET:
Situated close to Pratunam Market, Nai Lert Market is one of many shopping areas in Bangkokwhere you can buy just about everything from clothing to handicrafts.

BO-BE MARKET:
Situated close to Bangkok Railway Station, Bo-be is one of the city's renowned ready-to-wear clothing centres, both wholesale and retail.

BANGKOK INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT:
Centre for an extensive range of shops offering a full selection of Thailand's top buys.

Beyond Bangkok
The main city for shopping outside the capital is Chiang Mai, which ranks as one of the world's largest centres for handicrafts and cottage industries. The extensive range of local products includes cotton and silk, hilltribe clothing, Burmese tapestries, handpainted umbrellas and lacquerware, and many such items can be found at its fascinating Night Bazaar. Pattaya also offers plentiful shopping for Thai goods while virtually all other cities and resorts provide ample opportunity for buying gifts and souvenirs, as well as local special ties.

chatuchak-market