I agree with you regarding the subway/rail transit system in the US compared to Asia. I’ve ridden in NY, DC, Chicago, LA, San Fran and San Diego and they are filthy and unsafe compared to Thailand, Seoul, and Japan. I like the safety screen that prevents people from falling or being pushed onto the tracks unlike NYC where the psychos are always pushing people on the tracks. It’s sad that the US transit system isn’t as nice, clean and SAFE like the Asian transit system.

@erichchan3

8 ай бұрын

The Hong Kong subway transit system is top notch as well

@autumntriesthings

8 ай бұрын

@@erichchan3 Taipei as well

@nobody03

5 ай бұрын

Dc transit system is fine

@cameronalisterlee

5 ай бұрын

DC transit system is filthy and unsafe

@turbochargedfilms

4 ай бұрын

Can't speak for any of the other transit systems you mentioned but I was pretty surprised that the culturally legendary NY subway was honestly worse than the Delhi metro. Then again, given America's over-reliance on private automobiles, I think the sorry state of the public transport there is more of a self-fulfilling prophecy born out of short-sighted prosperity.

Just remember, during rush hour, the interchange between Asok BTS to MRT, the escalators going up from MRT are one-way only. You can descend from BTS on the right before the escalators. I see so many tourists trying to push their way through only to realize it's one way during Rush Hour.

Quite a contrast from BTS to BART (SF Regional equivalent) > upon returning to SFO 2 weeks ago from a month in Thailand I took BART from SFO to the closest station to my home > 1 way fare = $13+ US & was surrounded by odors of human waste w/a few homeless sleeping on the train > this was a Mon am at 6 > the train was disgustingly dirty ...whereas all my BTS experiences for 3+ weeks were impressive for public transit > for a system that's heavily used, it's incredibly clean & quiet > very obvious the Thais take great pride in keeping things clean & orderly. It's become embarrassing to admit I'm from the SF Bay Area

@TheCragg777

Жыл бұрын

Seattle same. Sad

@gregh7457

Жыл бұрын

i burned all my t-shirts that have california on them

@TransparentMediaTruth

Жыл бұрын

@@gregh7457 > Calpocylpse

@Primevals33

8 ай бұрын

I live in the San Francisco Bay Area as well. The new BART trains are really nice but the surroundings area's around BART are horrible. So much crime and filth now. Not like when i was growing up in the 1970's. But the inside the BART terminals are getting better.

@drewbledsoe2230

7 ай бұрын

dame just feel the same, just came back to Thailand and also took BART from SF airport to SF dowtown - there were lots of homeless people in train.

This is exactly what I needed to see. Thanks for the simplistic vid format. Happy belated birthday bro

Didn't know I could tap my Visa to pay for MRT! This is a huge time-saver! Thanks so much!

@Primevals33

10 ай бұрын

do you get a foreign exchange fee added????

@ewstuber

10 ай бұрын

Not on my card.@@Primevals33

@noi747

10 ай бұрын

@@Primevals33 you may be charged about 1-3% which is very minimal in Thai Baht. To trade with versatility it's very convenient esp. on rush hours.

@Primevals33

10 ай бұрын

@@noi747 It's not the Thai baht I am worried about but the American dollar? I will check with my bank. Thanks so much :)

@pkboi309

9 ай бұрын

@@Primevals33 that will depends on your credit card whether they have a foreign transaction fee of not.

Happy Birthday! I appreciate you putting out videos for us on your day. Enjoy.

For those of us expats that live outside of Bangkok but have to drive into the city for embassy appointments and to take the family shopping. The first thing I do is get a hotel close to a sky train station and park my car. To get to the embassy I use a taxi, but for the shopping and getting around Bangkok I use the sky train or subway. Only leaving to go home (then early in the morning) do I use my car in Bangkok.

Your videos are really high quality, Forrest. Well done.

Fantastic video. While I love the food, expats retiring to Thailand, and condo tours, this daily life video is awesome. Just to see how advanced Bangkok is, but contrast the similarities and differences with the US. Exactly what someone would need to know when visiting! Keep up the great work, I love your stuff.

omg this is so helpful! my family will be visiting Bangkok next year for the Coldplay concert and its our first international travel. thank you so much!

Thank you for the useful information. I just got back from Bangkok and your video really helped me attempt the Thai train system. You are one of the few (or only) that actually talk about the contactless Visa card that can be used at the train turn-styles. I couldn't even find any (Visa) info on the BTS site. It is so much easier than having to buy tokens or refill cards. I don't know why the Sky train doesn't use the same Visa system as MRT, although buying a ticket is not a big deal. My wife and I Stayed right next to the ASOK (across the street from Terminal 21) station and got a day pass for the BTS Skytrain and it allowed us to see so much more in an efficient amount of time. Very crowded but not dangerous at all (unlike the mentioned US cities), and air conditioned. The train system is like an attraction in itself! It's like a treasure map, and you need to find the gold, your destination . It worked out so well, we took the Airport Link back to BKK at the end of our trip. So much easier than a Taxi!! WE (US) can learn a lot from this Mass transit system and how it is supposed to work.

BTS,MRT: Thailand is a developing country that dared to implement an electric metro system decades ago, not by government initially but by a private enterprise under build-operate-transfer concession basis. When a housing developer Tanayong group proposed to Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BKK city government) to build an electric skytrain linking the major nothern/eastern provincial bus terminal (Mor Chit) into the city center (CBD) itself about 30 years ago, local Thais and expatriates were skeptical because previously HK Hopewell and Canadian Lavalin had proposed such project in Bangkok to the national government but failed hopelessly to complete the project. In the case of Lavalin, only about 1% was completed while Hopewell did a little better upto 5% before both concessionaires abandoned the project due to financial difficulties. However, elected Bangkok governor at the time Gen Chamlong Srimuang did not listen to experts' advices and granted Tanayong concession to carry out the project. Tanayong managed to borrow enough funds from local and overseas banks to build the civil structure running above the main roads, thus did not have to pay any land expropriation fee. When the civil structure was completed, Tanayong bought train and signal system from German Siemens as well as contracting Siemens to help run the system for 10 years. The first year official opening was about 23 years ago in 1999. Even then, some Thai and expatriates still voiced doubts whether the skytrain could earn enough revenue to cover the running costs as well as earning enough profits to pay off principals and interests as the first year's ridership was not great barely covering the operating costs. However, within 10 years the skytrain (Bangkok Transit System or BTS) turned profitable and after 23 years, the BTS is earning huge profit and has long paid off all debts. When the national government saw BTS success, it planned its own MRT (Metro Rapid Transit) systems, covering more lines. However, since some lines are run underground and some above ground, no private companies dared to do the same as Tanayong (now renamed BTS Group) as the civil construction is very expensive. So the national government established MRT state enterprise to design the lines and tender civil constructions using government budget. Once civil construction is completed, MRT tenders bids for private operators to secure the train system as well as running them under concessions. Bangkok is now covered by BTS/MRT/SRT (State Railway of Thailand which runs the Red Line to the suburbs and Airport Link from Suvarnabhumi airport to City center) systems more than 250 kilometers altogether. Note: Currently Light Green Line (Sukhumvit Line) Dark Green Line + Gold Line (Silom Line) Blue Line (Circle Line) Purple Line Airport Link Line (Suvarnabhumi Airport) Dark Red Line (Grand Station - Don Muang AirPort) Light Red Line (Grand Station - TalingChan) Yellow Line (Scheduled Open Last Quarter 2023) Pink Line (Scheduled Open Last Quarter 2023) Orange Line(Scheduled Open 2025) Also sees Metro systems history and planned expansion kzread.info/dash/bejne/m2enqMiqoZa0ZLQ.html

@bryancole842

Жыл бұрын

Thanks. Very informative. Appreciate your time.❤

@marcdo9226

Жыл бұрын

Awesome! Thanks for the detailed info

@DreamofThailand19000

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the history of these public transportation in BKK. I am Thai and happy to see Thailand has developed a lot.

@Primevals33

8 ай бұрын

Thanks for the detailed information. People like yourself help others so much.

You deserve so much more subs man you have an amazing chanel 😊

Thanks for the video ! I’m here now and needed to learn the system. Happy birthday !

Happy birthday, man. Love your videos. Cheers from Serbia

The Visa option is a GREAT travel tip; Sooooo helpful on this one

@kingcantona1923

Жыл бұрын

For Master Card can use ????

@pingbookent

Жыл бұрын

@@kingcantona1923 you can use mastercard too.

This was very good and informative video! Good job and thx! 😎🇫🇮🇹🇭

Happy wonderful Birthday 🎉and thanks for the great content!

Awesome vlog Forest. Went to Bangkok’s China Town for the first time when I visited Thailand in late January. Compared to the China Town in London, Bangkok’s is just wild! Stayed at the Hotel Royal Chinatown too which has great views of Bangkok from the rooftop bar. Happy Birthday as well Forest. Another year closer to uncle status. 🤣

Came to this video from the "ultimate guide to airport rail link" video. Both are really helpful, informative and... makes me long to hurry up and get over there. Thumbs-up, and thanks.

@portlandGTR

4 ай бұрын

Have you ever been? I’m on my first trip outside 🇺🇸 at 41 and in BKK to finish my last week. Phuket is paradise omg words can’t explain. Rent a motor bike there and just go! So many things to see and do

Great travel vlog. To the point and just the tips I was looking for. Thank u

Thanks for making this video. I am from India and will be visit Bangkok in next 2 weeks. This video gave me confidence , will be using the MRT and BRT during my stay in Bangkok.

Great video - great tips thank you 🙏🏾 happy birthday 🥳

Cheers Forrest, great video. I'm about to hit the Bangkok trains today for the first time! SH, Australia

Most Asian people live in the state probably get mug in the subway while talking on the cellphone. You’re lucky dude Thailand is really safe. 🤣🤣

Extremely well explained…thanks!

Happy birthday, Forrest. We are here still 2 more days, was debating to take the MRT or BTS Skyway but came across your video today so we took some notes down and go for it. We wasn’t sure where will be heading to but I we heard about Terminal 21 so we took MRT over there, cost 31 baht for each. We were browsing the terminal for awhile then we bought one day pass cost 150 baht and thought we would enjoy the ride, the sight seeing around Bangkik until they tell us to get off. 😀But on our way there, we saw a market with a big crowd so we get off and check it out. I can’t remember the name but they only open on the weekend. We Spent sometime there, bought few things, ate some snack then we head back to our metro station. So, we experienced both systems now. We didn’t want to continue riding anymore. Beside it was really cold on the sky train. We could save some baht if we know where we were going but no biggie, just like you said…experience and that’s count. Thanks again for the video and hope you had a great birthday. Cheers

Happy Birthday! Thanks for sharing your tips!

Thanks Forrest. Enjoyed that.

Happy Birthday!! Thank you!

great info Forrest, Thx,

Wow thank you! this was very helpful!

Awesome video it’s going to really help me when I come to Bangkok for November 2023. I’m excited to look at your other videos.

@portlandGTR

4 ай бұрын

How was it?

Happy birthday Forrest.

Very helpfull! Thanx Lee

Happy Birthday, Forrest!! Seems like you've never aged a day!!!

Very informative video...u have done a great job....and vy the way..HAPPY BIRTHDAY to u

So . . . how young are we today Forrest ? ;) Loved this video as it is super-helpful and informative. It really serves to take the intimidation out of having to figure out public transportation. Well done !

Very helpful video. Happy Belated Birthday 🎉

HAPPY (heavily belated) BIRTHDAY LEE

Happy Birthday Forrest 🍻🎂🍾

@billydong9640

Жыл бұрын

Chinese doing a Thai Accent like a dude strung out in a Mankini during April and no sun screen😉🤣

Nice video brother. Very useful .. next to include are the canal boats

Happy 🎉Birthday 🎉 young man!

Thanks for showing public transportation 😊

You make me miss Bangkok soo much! 🙏 I'll be there in 2 weeks! 😍

For the bts get a prepaid rabbit card and a metrocard for the mrt if you are staying longer then a couple of days , saves you the hasle to hunt for coins.

@Primevals33

8 ай бұрын

what line do you use the METROCARD for??

Thanks for the Chase tip, excellent!

Happy birthday thanks very. Informative

So helpful! I last visited bkk in 2000 with a friend but will return this year 2023 alone so im very nervous😢 glad i checked out your vids.

@portlandGTR

4 ай бұрын

How was it?

Great informative video! 👍

hey HBD Forrest !

I hope you celebrated your birthday with a few Changs at Why Not Bar on Soi Nana. Another awesome video.

Happy birthday. All the best to you.

Very well explained thanks

Happy Birthday. Have fun and enjoy live.

Thank you for your video. It's Great. Happy Birthday

Happy birthday!! Best wishes

This year , New monorails is MRT Yellow and Pink line

HEY FORREST ,happy brithday

Its really useful. I am gonna go to Thailand next month. Its my first solo trip and i thought its better to use public transportation for person travel alone and interesting experience. Its not complicated as i thought. Thanks for guiding

@Primevals33

8 ай бұрын

Hi. So what part of Bangkok did you go to and what type of transportation? Did you take a taxi to your hotel/ AIrbnd OR DID YOU USE THE SKYTRAIN??

@hanhvo846

8 ай бұрын

@@Primevals33 i visited some places in Bangkok. Skytrain is convinient and cheap. i live it. u can take airport link to ur hotel from airport. its useful and easy

Happy Birthday! We reached the dirty 30 yet? Once I get out of the military I am thinking of moving to Asia as well from the States. Love the content, keep it up bro!

I'm glad to know about the visa tap thing, I have a United card so I get flight miles and no currency exchange charge

Thanks for the video!

thank you sir very helpful.

Thank you for the information

@ForrestLee: Could you please make a video on how to use both, non-airconditioned and air-conditioned busses in BK, and what are the ticket prices? That would be very helpful. I have a feeling that 99% of tourists do not use busses in BK at all. There is no clear map of bus lines, their routes, their schedule or cost per ride. Very confusing.

Hey Forrest, I'm happy I came across your videos, subscribed and still going through your videos 😅 I'm relocating to Bangkok for work and would love to hear about your opinion on the best neighborhood/district.

@DC90_

Жыл бұрын

@@ShadyD365 works going to be at Phra Ram 9. Colleagues told me it's a great area but since we have a little dog, they reccomended Thong Lo. What do you? Thank you in advance!

hi Lee ! ...i am interesting what kind of gear you had for taking these informative video ! thanks for your kindness

Transit systems in the US suck. I got pretty good with the MRT and BTS while in Bangkok. By the end of the first day it's pretty easy. I will recommend your video to friends coming to Bangkok to explain the transit system. Good to know about Visa tap to pay for the MRT, but beware minimum foreign exchange fees from your US bank. I also overpaid for the taxi from the airport like a typical tourist, but still cheap compared to the US. Sometimes you are tired and don't feel like haggling. I did a Tuk Tuk in Chiang Mai. Went on the highway. I'm sure my life would have flashed before my eyes if I could have seen where we were going (I'm so tall the canopy prevented me from seeing straight ahead.)

Nice one. Happy birthday(lately) Bro.

Love the video 👍💪

Goooooood video!!!!!!!!!

Great Video. Been a while since I have been to Bangkok. Do they still have a daily all you can travel option?

Greetings from Norway to Mr Lee

Happy Birthday! One Q is when using the credit card does it automatically know what to charge you without knowing where your going? That was a great vid Thanks!

Welcome to Thailand. The pink line is preparing to open this August. We give you a try and review there. There's a lot of new things in Thailand for you to discover.🎉

thank you for information

Happy b day bro! I’ll be there in 14 days. Lets link up!

HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY 😊

The sky train looked easy enough. Can you get it from airport to central Bangkok? Cheers

Wishing you a very happy birthday 🎂 Forrest Lee from Bob Expat living in Thailand soon.

Happy belated 🎉birthday 🎉🎉

your vlog helpfull, MRT more practicable for tourist with visa holder easy option payment. thank you

Thailand started bus service in Bangkok nearly 100 years ago, it was run by private bus operators at a reasonable price but still making a decent profit. However, about 45 years ago, a certain political party campaigned to make bus in Bangkok free and when this party came to power as a coalition govt, it nationalized bus services, buying the private operators and created Bangkok Mass Transport Authority (BMTA) to run a free bus service for a few years. When the govt could no longer afford the huge annual subsidy, it allowed the BMTA to charge a cheap ticket price for non-aircon buses and then introduced air-con buses at 2-3 times the price of non-aircon buses. The non-aircon buses have been running at a loss since then up to today while the air-con buses run at break-even. The BMTA then granted private bus operators to run non-aircon and air-con buses again about 30 years ago to reduce the BMTA's mounting debts as private operators seem to know how to run buses at a decent profit even though they charge the same ticket fares as BMTA's own buses. To this day, BMTA non-aircon red/orange buses are still relatively cheap less than 10 baht, one of the cheapest fare in the world. Every year, the national govt allocates a supplementary budget to shore up BMTA's inefficient operation. It is apparent that the first populist policy of Thai govt does not work as is the case worldwide such as the bankrupted Venezuela and father of populist policy Argentina which seeks IMF help at least 6 times since WWII.

@kennetharntson5912

Жыл бұрын

I was riding the busses in Bangkok 54 years ago when the price was 50 stang. Often would ride a bus to the end of the line and return for a cheap tour of the city. Back then the tallest building in the city were the Watts. Very common to see both men and women on the streets of Bangkok wearing sarongs. You knew you were in a foreign country then. No McDonald's, Starbucks then, there were no laws concerning marijuana, only the some farmers smoked it in their bongs and could be bought for $1 a kilo.

Happy birthday 🎈

As a general rule: Don't walk on escalators in Bangkok. It is even written in MRT. Difficult to understand for Europeans and US-Americans, but that is more efficient than the "Stand right, walk left".

@BurningtunaDC

25 күн бұрын

Actually, it is far less efficient.

Hey Forrest! I enjoy your channel and i notice similarities between your way of approaching life and my. Would be great to hear your views on marriage and especially in the context of yourself in East,

Nice video. Looking to coming to Bangkok. Is there a way to combine travel on BTS & MRT without buying separate ticket ? Say, a stored value card etc ??

Its an incredible system .. the overlapping BTS skytrain and MRT underground metro .. only glitch is you need a top-up card for each system - MRT and rabbit cards.

Thanks really useful content! On the MRT we both ( couple) have the same Chase Sapphire card. Can we each use that card traveling together?

Happy Birthday 🎈

I m your big fan go go go

Great video. I'm in Bangkok right now and I am lost af

Happy Birthday 🍰🎉

You did not mention the other option: If you want to get a prepaid multi use card you can use a CC or cash to get a Rabbit Card (BTS) or MRT card, but you will need your passport when doing so. I think they require a set minimum of a few hundred THB. Rabbit Cards can also be used to buy stuff at many shops. I think the new Red line to DMK, BKK Airport line, and other lines have their own systems which is sort of crazy.

Happy birthday 🎉🎉🎉

Great video! Put a map location for the dim sum place.

Also, the rabbit card for BTS. Handy, as you don't need to continue to line up for tickets each and every time

What was the name of the restaurant? Great video!

This year two more train lines, Pink and Yellow, will be opened. HBD.