Blogging Miles Around the Metro

It’s funny how we’re all taking a whack at our public transportation system. I guess we must rely heavily on it. I have a love-hate relationship with Bangkok. Also known as the city of angels, Venice of the East, or sometimes the Big Mango (instead of the Big Apple which refers to New York), Bangkok places most of its denizens in a constant state of disillusionment. Why the love-hate relationship? For someone who grew up in Kuala Lumpur, there’s much more to do in Bangkok. However, it’s the tiny things that get to you - the never-ending harassment from cab and tuk-tuk drivers to get to a particular destination, the heavy traffic during peak hours which once popularised the use of mobile urinary-kits, and the lack of proper amenities and public transportation in the city. You almost always grateful for accomplishing one item on that long list of to-dos. As a result, most people tend to stay at home and miss out on the interesting events that this city has to offer. Not to despair though, the city revving up their efforts at building a more extensive subway system to meet the needs of its public transportation system. The one trick up my sleeves for avoiding traffic is to utilise the express boats on the Chao Phraya river (main river in Bangkok). Although you might have to venture a risk at getting wet, but the ride into the city is not just scenic but also extremely cheap (average boat ride costs 10 baht = 25 cents).

I do think the rivers and canals in Bangkok should be utilised to their full potential as opposed to building more roads which only encourage more cars that ultimately pollute the environment.

Lets have a look at the types of transport available in Bangkok:

Express boat on the Chao Phraya River

The ever-so-popular Tuk Tuk

The Canal or “Khlong” Boats

New Subway System (note: dogs used by police are a common sight because of tighter security)

Popularity: 11% [?]