Using the BTS Sky Train to explore Bangkok is not only quick and convenient, but it also gives you a tree top view of buildings and streets. In fact, it wasn’t until I rode the sky train on the first day eight years ago, that I realized that Bangkok actually has many trees. Back then, I took the above picture from the train of a view that is no longer there. Today there is a very large shopping mall that blocks the view of Baiyoke Tower in the distance. Though, with so many advertisements plastered on the side of the trains these days, it is now almost impossible to take any pictures out of the windows any more. If you want to know the name of the building in the foreground and the name of the building that replaced it then scroll to the bottom of this article.
An average trip on the BTS Sky Train will cost you 30-40 baht. This is fine if you are alone. However, if there are at least three of you then you might want to consider taking a meter taxi instead. These start at 35 baht and will take you from door to door, though at a much slower pace. I like the Sky Train, but it isn’t very comprehensive. I have to drive about 40 minutes to my local station at On Nut. From there it is only 20 minutes or so to downtown Bangkok. However, if I want to go on to the Grand palace area, Dusit Palace area or the heart of Chinatown I would then need to change to transport such as taxi or bus. Hoping to solve this problem, the government is (very slowly) extending the sky train routes. I am happy that they are building about 5 new stations towards me. Though obviously it would be nice if they went all the way to Samut Prakan.
The BTS Sky Train has two routes. Today I am going to give you some ideas of what attractions there are to see along these routes. If you have any more ideas then please post them as a comment. However, if you have any questions, we would prefer if you use our ThailandQA.com forums.
Siam is the interchange station. From here you can catch a train North to Mo Chit or East to On Nut. Another track goes one stop west to the National Stadium and South to Saphan Taksin. Siam Square is now the heart of shopping in Bangkok. On the North side of the road are Siam Discovery, Siam Centre and the massive Siam Paragon. On the south side is Centre Point which is a popular hangout for Thai teenagers. Many trendy small shops in this area.
Going North:
N1 Ratchathewi - This is the nearest station for the computer shopping mall at Panthip Plaza. I have also walked there from Chit Lom Station. A bit further, in the Pratunam area, there is a large wholesale clothes market.
N2 Phaya Thai - Not to far from here is the interesting Suan Phak Khad Palace. Similiar to Jim Thompson’s House, this museum has a grouping of Thai style houses and other artifacts on display. Entrance is 100 baht.
N3 Victory Monument - The monument itself, in the centre of the roundabout, is worth a closer look. West of here is Phaya-Thai Palace. This was where King Rama VI had his experimental "Dusit Thani", which was a model for future Thai democracy. Guided tours take place on Saturdays. To the East is Santiphap Park which commemorates the end of World War II.
N4 Sanam Pao
N5 Ari
N7 Saphan Khwai - Near here is the Stamp Museum at Samsen Nai Post Office.
N8 Mo Chit - At the end of the line, most people come here for the weekend market at Chatuchak. Also check out the nearby Or-Tor-Kor Market which sells fresh produce. If you want to relax, then check out Queen Sirikit Botanical Gardens and Chatuchak Park. Here you will also find the interesting Railway Hall of Fame and the popular Children’s Museum of hand’s-on exhibits for children. From here you can change to the MRT subway.
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