Explore Posterous

Bangkok by land and sea and land (YouTube vids).

#ACRTW - Bangkok by land and sea and land (YouTube vids).

For those who have been, Bangkok is probably about as famous for its congestion as anything else. Here are three quick videos showing the predominant modes of local transportation:

First up, the BTS SkyTrain -- coincidentally covered in advertising for Nokia's new N97 Mini.

Next, the Chao Phraya Express Boat -- the best way to get to touristy sites along the river.

And finally, what I just know you've been waiting for, a virtual tuk-tuk ride!

Govt unveils plans for rail link to Rayong

High-speed trains are part of 'grand scheme'

Economic ministers are vowing to develop the first high-speed train between Bangkok and Rayong to serve demand on the Eastern Seaboard. Deputy Prime Minister Korbsak Sabhavasu said ministers yesterday also approved a 110 billion baht reform plan for the State Railway of Thailand to improve rail safety and services. Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said the economic ministers asked the Transport Ministry to complete the study of a Bangkok-Rayong high speed train within 45 days. The ministry yesterday proposed a long-term plan for the development of four high speed trains: Bangkok to Chiang Mai (754km), to Nong Khai (615km), to Chanthaburi (330km), and to Padang Besar (985km). The agency initially expected the feasibility study to take three months. However, Mr Abhisit put the brakes on the whole plan worth more than 700 billion baht and instructed the minister to focus on the route between Bangkok and Rayong. This route was viewed by a study team as having high importance as it would facilitate businessmen who need to travel between Bangkok and industrial estates and ports in Rayong, permanent secretary for transport Supoj Saplom said. Staporn Kavitanond, chairman of the economic advisory team to Mr Abhisit, suggested the government should accelerate the development of the high speed train project by allowing private investment so the route could serve the public demand and encourage the reduction of private car use, especially on roads that experience traffic jams at the weekend. He said the plan to link Laos by rail should also be accelerated to develop a better logistic route from China. The economic ministers authorised the Transport Ministry to undertake a study of a railway to link Laos via Bua Yai district in Nakhon Ratchasima, Mukdahan and Nakhon Phanom. The initial budget for this project is 30 billion baht. The ministers also approved a reform plan to improve SRT's standard service to ensure safety and increase the speed of train services to 80km/h to 100km/h from 60km/h. The Transport Ministry is required to propose details of its plan to the National Economic and Social Development Board within a week. SRT union president Sawit Kaeowan said the union would meet to discuss the reform plans and would issue direction on whether it agreed with them. Narong Pomlaktong, a research director for the Thailand Development Research Institute, said the SRT's huge loss was a result of an improper structure which saw train services and the building of infrastructure undertaken by the state enterprise. The government should control the building of infrastructure for train services and fund it directly, he said. He said the government needed to subsidise train services which should be operated by a separate entity so people could enjoy low-priced public service.

• Published: 12/11/2009 at 12:00 AM
• Newspaper section: News

Original Article

Govt unveils plans for rail link to Rayong

High-speed trains are part of 'grand scheme'

Economic ministers are vowing to develop the first high-speed train between Bangkok and Rayong to serve demand on the Eastern Seaboard. Deputy Prime Minister Korbsak Sabhavasu said ministers yesterday also approved a 110 billion baht reform plan for the State Railway of Thailand to improve rail safety and services. Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said the economic ministers asked the Transport Ministry to complete the study of a Bangkok-Rayong high speed train within 45 days. The ministry yesterday proposed a long-term plan for the development of four high speed trains: Bangkok to Chiang Mai (754km), to Nong Khai (615km), to Chanthaburi (330km), and to Padang Besar (985km). The agency initially expected the feasibility study to take three months. However, Mr Abhisit put the brakes on the whole plan worth more than 700 billion baht and instructed the minister to focus on the route between Bangkok and Rayong. This route was viewed by a study team as having high importance as it would facilitate businessmen who need to travel between Bangkok and industrial estates and ports in Rayong, permanent secretary for transport Supoj Saplom said. Staporn Kavitanond, chairman of the economic advisory team to Mr Abhisit, suggested the government should accelerate the development of the high speed train project by allowing private investment so the route could serve the public demand and encourage the reduction of private car use, especially on roads that experience traffic jams at the weekend. He said the plan to link Laos by rail should also be accelerated to develop a better logistic route from China. The economic ministers authorised the Transport Ministry to undertake a study of a railway to link Laos via Bua Yai district in Nakhon Ratchasima, Mukdahan and Nakhon Phanom. The initial budget for this project is 30 billion baht. The ministers also approved a reform plan to improve SRT's standard service to ensure safety and increase the speed of train services to 80km/h to 100km/h from 60km/h. The Transport Ministry is required to propose details of its plan to the National Economic and Social Development Board within a week. SRT union president Sawit Kaeowan said the union would meet to discuss the reform plans and would issue direction on whether it agreed with them. Narong Pomlaktong, a research director for the Thailand Development Research Institute, said the SRT's huge loss was a result of an improper structure which saw train services and the building of infrastructure undertaken by the state enterprise. The government should control the building of infrastructure for train services and fund it directly, he said. He said the government needed to subsidise train services which should be operated by a separate entity so people could enjoy low-priced public service.

• Published: 12/11/2009 at 12:00 AM
• Newspaper section: News

Original Article

BTS eyes 4% rise in ridership next year

Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTS) wants to expand Skytrain ridership by 4% next year and start exploring business opportunities in Vietnam to expand its presence overseas. The economic downturn has had only a slight impact on BTS because it opened a 2.2-kilometre extension crossing the Taksin bridge in April, which drew more commuters, said Anat Arbhabhirama, adviser to the BTS board. The company started charging 15 baht to ride the extension in September after offering free trips for four months. Around 40,000 more commuters now use the system as a result. "We have seen ridership increase considerably. It stays at about 440,000 per day during weekdays and approaches 500,000 on Friday," he said. The number is expected to expand as the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is constructing a special link to the terminal station at Wong Wian Yai, he added. Dr Anat said rider ship had been improving this year despite the impact of H1N1 influenza, which reduced traffic for a while as more people stayed home. BTS, which will celebrate its 10th anniversary next month, operates two elevated train lines with a combined length of 25.7 kilometers. It is also expanding the Sukhumvit route to Soi Baring and Samut Prakan, with service to start within two years. The company is now looking at Vietnam, where the government is preparing to begin construction of the first of seven planned train lines, he said. "We have not yet decided whether to bid for both construction and operational management contracts or a management contract only. Once the decision is made, we will know for sure how much we need in bank loans to pursue overseas expansion," Dr Anat said. The sky train operator completed a long-delayed restructuring of its 67.75-billion-baht debt late last year, which significantly lowered its interest burden. Earlier this year, BTS issued debentures worth 12 billion baht to raise funds to repay the remaining debts. The BTS generates 10 million baht per day with net cash from operations of 7 million. The company started paying dividends to shareholders this year. Given the unfavorable economic and investment climate, BTS has suspended since 2008 its plan to list on the Stock Exchange of Thailand. The board has already approved the issuance of 4.8 billion new shares for the initial public offering (IPO). To prepare for uncertainties after its train concession expires, BTS has entered the property business, with 10-billion-baht plans for three hotels along the train lines.

• Published: 16/11/2009 at 12:00 AM
• Newspaper section: Business

Original Article

rbo on transit improvements

My buddy Rob Wesley (aka rbo) does some great work.

Flickr page with more information about this:

Check out his website:
http://robertwesley.com/