✅BTS SKYTRAIN STORY EP 1 | Bangkok's Urban Rail Plans | Hopewell Project | Lavalin Skytrain

[@raidermanuk]

Quality research and great production. Thanks so much, as always, for your professional efforts. I was blown away by the Skytrain when I first visited Bangkok in 2005. Fiercely air-conditioned, fast and efficient and rarely crowded! The Skytrain sounds raise the hairs on the back of my neck even now - the approaching Nana station announcement, the noise of the wheels on the track as it gathers pace and the screeching of the wheels on the track as it negotiates tight bends. When I hear these sounds I know I have arrived!

[@oatseawong6664]

because that's time the age of BTS just 6 years, and the ticket price also not friendly for working class people.

[@BangkokPat]

@@oatseawong6664 It is expensive for many, and the reason buses are so busy is because it's a fraction of the price. MRT max fare is 42 which is ok for the distance you can travel but BTS as high as 59 Baht it a bit much.

[@BangkokPat]

I remember when the rush hour wasn't that busy when it first opened, and it gathered pace over 2-3yrs. When I had to travel during rush hour in 2008, it was hell and I wasn't expecting it!

[@Ajjiam]

Forty Years aga, i came to study in Bangkok. I had lived in Thonburi but my school on another side of Chao Praya river. Your video clip, traffic jam waiting across the river at 6:30, reminds me those days. It took 3 hours to arrived school. Compared to nowaday, Bangkokians live easier than before.

[@Ajjiam]

@@stevennyan44456 56

[@stevennyan44456]

@@Ajjiam So you study at 17 right?

[@titohaggardt6125]

Bangkok is so much cleaner now with public transport, looking forward to part two. good show.

[@oatseawong6664]

the ticket price for mass rapid transit in Thailand also not friendly for working class people.

[@BangkokPat]

It's creeping up, 59 Baht is just too much for a trip, 44 Baht maximum is acceptable, like 42 on MRT.

[@pkim07]

@@BangkokPat It's still cheap compared to cities in the West.

[@samcan9953]

Excellent work. I'm from Montreal and I knew nothing of the link between Vancouver's Skytrain, Lavalin and Bangkok's BTS. Very interesting. Just one little correction: the company's name is Lavalin, not Lavalian (It's now called SNC-Lavalin after a merger). Big engineering firm from Montreal (Bombardier is also a major company from the province of Quebec. Their train division has since been sold to Alstom, the French company making the TGV). I really enjoy your videos. Loved the Hopewell Stonehenge bit! Great British humour. I love Bangkok (and its BTS) and am planning to go back this fall. Cheers!

[@BangkokPat]

Yes, I stand corrected on Lavalin although the programme I watched pronounced it as I did, so I have an excuse, hence the spelling. I'm sure there will be minimal confusion though. Cheers Sam!

[@mvd4436]

Im from Vancouver and remember hearing about a connection. Then i checked Wikipedia and seen BTS had German rolling stock. I was confused but Pat is setting the record straight. Can't wait for part 2. It looks to me like they should have just stayed with SNC Lavalin and got it done earlier. Better late than never. That 70's traffic looked rough.

[@AI_HQ]

Thank goodness Bangkok doesn't have the tiny Bombardier-made Skytrains that the folks in Vancouver have. 🤣😎👍

[@AlisonAZ]

Nice research! Bangkok has done a better job than my home city, Seattle. We built a monorail in 1962 for a World's Far. It still runs . . . about 20 blocks. Over the last 10 years, we've finally been completing some light rail.

[@muhammadfariz2839]

I still wonder why Seattle doesn't extend their monorail network.

[@EddieManning]

Pat, truly fascinating. Loads of informative details. I came to Bangkok first in 1996, then 1998 and again in 2000 once the BTS Skytrain was opened. I remember the traffic before the opening and it was a nightmare to get around the city. Now it's so much easier. Really enjoyed all the old archive footage and the back story of the failed projects - when going to Don Mueang still see the old supports that never got completed.

[@aladin9274]

Don't kid yourself. Bangkok has less traffic not because of the new SkyTrain. It's because its economy slowing very rapidly due to less tourists ( these days people r not into cheap sex). The traditional demand for combustion engine vehicles r in a decline, as Thailand is a major vehicles assembly in SE Asia. With less income the demand for goods and sales of cars drop

[@kittenastrophy5951]

Once in 97 when Tom Yam Kung Crisis exploded, traffic jam in BKK street was wiped out within a period of few weeks like magic. I remember it.

[@BangkokPat]

The Hopewell Train is here: Pee Neung's Coffee shop, Salaya: facebook.com/peeneungcoffehouse Chapters: 00:00 Start / Earliest urban railways in Bkk / 1960s Traffic & plans to build Bang Sue 02:09 1967 Monorail proposal 02:42 The Mass Transit System Masterplan 06:23 1970s Bkk traffic & new river bridges with future rail facilities 07:07 1985 Return of the MTS Masterplan/Bangkok streets in 1985 08:20 Lavalian Skytrain Project is born 10:52 The Hopewell Project / The prototype train / Bangkok's ''Stonehenge''

[@Seafarer1947]

Near my friends house in Sala Thammasop. You should visit ‘The House of Museums’ there. m.facebook.com/bkkhouseofmuseums

[@Few_politicians_run_your_life]

Best modern Thai history.

[@BangkokPat]

Thanks

[@mmaranta785]

It’s apparent in your videos you do a tremendous amount of research and your attention to detail is wonderful. Those old videos and pictures are fun to look at, especially what Asok looked like before. Keep up the great work.

[@Starre8888]

Amazing stuff Pat. I had always wondered what the back story to the "BTS" was and suspected there had been many false starts and renegotiations in the early life of the Skytrain. It was all making sense when a Canadian consortium won the bid given Vancouver has a very similar yet fully automated Skytrain but then it all nose dived again with various financial crisis'. We are often critical of Governments especially in LOS, but at least on this occaision they had the foresight to plan for an extensive rail system that still serves the people of Bangkok well. In the city I live in Australia, timetables are still a necessity and we are still arguing about what forms of transport are best. How the hell did you track down the carcass of the original Hopewell sample Skytrain in some overgrown weed heap out in the Provinces?

[@BangkokPat]

I discovered it in 2020, but at that time coffee shops/restaurants had to close due to you know what, I'd found photos on a facebook search and someone who'd posted a pic from that coffee shop had the foresight to tag it as 'hopewell' ....I was doing a video with a bit about Hopewell in it but it was an early video I pulled due to hardly any views or interest.

[@joe3394]

You’ve outdone yourself again, Pat. kudos!

[@BangkokPat]

Cheers Joe.

[@saultrejo6563]

This guy is a legend

[@BangkokPat]

Thank you Saul.

[@theaveragejoe5781]

Fascinating! So I guess now that Bangkok has urban rail, people consider it a success?

[@christophersheppard1747]

Great history, love the Hopewell Stonehenge! A classic, well done again Pat.

[@BangkokPat]

Cheers Chris😎

[@bkkfarang4749]

Part 1 was super...... I'm looking forward to part 2 👌

[@BangkokPat]

Thanks Lynn! Coming soon...

[@STEADY599]

Fascinating stuff. Well done.

[@BangkokPat]

Glad you enjoyed it Ed, cheers mate.

[@thomaslindbergMarielund]

To have this information walking around in Bkk is a treasure ! Thanks !

[@BangkokPat]

Cheers Thomas.

[@jimmyboysmovies1972]

This will be a great series Pat !!! The projects from the past are a great insight and I loved the tram system clips 👌👌. After a few false starts it’s heading in the right direction can’t wait for part 2 . Well done on the backstory facts 👏👏👏

[@BangkokPat]

Thanks Jimmy, was a couple of months of on-off work but glad with the result, didn't wanna get too technical or bogged down with details. Gonna do a few rail themed videos I think...

[@phanuphong]

This is so amazing to see how Khun Pat travel around these important landmarks of Bangkok’s transportation system. How many places?!! Kudos!!!!

[@BangkokPat]

Thanks! Hopewell is a historic landmark for the wrong reasons l suppose but many good things have happened since those days, if Hopewell was successful, maybe todays Skytrain and MRT would be smaller...

[@raynarattanapohn9524]

Thank you so much for your video.I moved to work in Bangkok since 2003. currently,public transportation in Bangkok is bester and easier than the past.

[@tondec33]

Great documentary Cann't wait for PartII.

[@BangkokPat]

Thank you Wisut!

[@Garykorat]

I went to from Pattaya to Dong Mueang airport in 1992 , i think i took almost 6 hours because of the trafficjam in Bangkok. I knew i was going to mis my flight. Luckely the plane had also a delay so i still was able to go on my flight. Royal Jordan at that time. Man i was nervous in that cab. But great memorys.

[@BangkokPat]

Traffic was murder at most times of the day back then! But there is a train to Don Muang from Hua Lamphong.

[@highbrand]

Interesting! Was living near Asoke when the BTS was first being constructed. Didn't realise that there had been so many failed attempts before.

[@thesaint2700]

Fantastic documentary! Keep’em coming

[@shane0traveller451]

Love Network History as Im a worker in Public Transport here in OZ 555

[@BangkokPat]

Thanks very much for the support Shane. Appreciate it mate.

[@norhishamothman4152]

I first arrived in Bangkok way back in May 2005.The BTS for me is still the way to travel from Mo Chit until On Nut. It is now more crowded due to the additional lines but nothing beats the early morning rides when you watch Central Bangkok from above in the comfort of the BTS carriage and just be comfortable.

[@BangkokPat]

BTS took a couple of years to attract the big numbers but it's growing all the time, extensions to the airport from Bang Na and further east to Bang Pu as well as north to Saphan Mai. Dark green line will eventually go to Taling Chan, can't wait!

[@norhishamothman4152]

I will arrive in Bangkok tomorrow for a short 2 days trip. Renting a car as usual but will still use the BTS, MRT and the Airport Link to just check out the new lines. The BTS is still the most popular line amongst tourists. It is a part of Bangkok.and yes, I will wait for the new extensions to be fully completed just like the MRT to Min Buri where one can enjoy good food at the market.

[@wellagrey]

i will always have a different feeling when using BKK transport system after watching this informative video BIG FAT LIKE 👍

[@tackessmars672]

You really do put a lot of work into your videos. High quality content. Wish more were like you. Brilliant. Keep it coming pat

[@frankoseven]

In my opinion this was one of the most interesting videos you've made so far. You've done alot of research for this video. I'm surprised how many different concepts the BKK Gov have had in the past and how many of them failed. I still wondered why so many of the betonblocks standing around in the city. So now I know the reason

[@BangkokPat]

Thanks Frank, it took me a while to work it all out from the info I had on each project and then choose what details mattered in the telling of it all. Interesting that German engineers were always on hand to offer expert advice!

[@geoffreyburton2654]

thank you so much a very informative story about Bangkok sky train.

[@BangkokPat]

Thanks Geoffrey.

[@shirleykimber2330]

Amazing content as usual! Have been waiting for Part 2 for a long time and it didn't dissapoint! Brought back a lot of memories of my time in Bangkok 96/2000. Absolute chaos springs to mind. Thank you 😊

[@nassimabed]

Awesome. Rail + history + Bangkok + Pat = Absolute brilliance 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@BangkokPat]

Thanks Nassim, appreciate the kind words mate.

[@matmar2009]

Really interesting background info, used to live in Bangkok before the "skytrain" was in place. Compared to those days Bangkok traffic is a dream today. Looking forward to part two..😀

[@jaymo8206]

Very informative and researched with great archival footage. I was a Bangkoker for 8 years. Used BTS for years when Onut was the last Sukhumvit Station. Thanks Pat.

[@AndyKillerBee]

Brilliant video, looking forward to the next one 👍

[@BangkokPat]

Thanks Andy!

[@tonythetiger2675]

Really enjoyed the research you put in to the video. Cheers Pat.

[@BangkokPat]

Cheers Tony.

[@ONealMusicStudio]

Fascinating!

[@mikaelhabel4171]

Incredibly interesting video. There must be a lot of work behind this story. I'm really looking forward to part 2 Pat, you are one of a kind🙏

[@drjeff6956]

There is a reason why I support your work, and it is videos like this. Excellent research and production. More like public television than KZbin.

[@BangkokPat]

Thanks a lot Jeff, it was 2 months in the making! Part 2 will be a bit more straight forward though.

[@lauriechilds6819]

An excellent documentary thanks Pat

[@BangkokPat]

Thanks Laurie.

[@gertdrok]

Very, Very Interesting Story Pat, and your Great Research about it all. 🙏

[@BangkokPat]

Thanks Gert.

[@KS-bq4rs]

I love all the old video clips. Great work Pat.

[@BangkokPat]

Cheers K S!

[@chrish8903]

Top notch video. Hats off. I love seeing the historical clips of old BKK. Pre BTS Bangkok was a nightmare to get around in. You had to very strategic about making appts because it took so long to get anywhere.

[@strangetv4635]

Brilliantly-put-together-well-researched slice of Entertaining Bangkok History. Thanx man.

[@viperine4577]

Great job/video as usual. I feel nostalgic when I see old images of Bangkok. I 💜 Bangkok.

[@paulwildman6067]

Class act this guy.

[@BangkokPat]

Thank you Paul.

[@Goldeneast11]

Dear Pat. Congratulations for a greatgreat pice of history and background to the present situation and developments.For me it´s alwasy a miracle where from you get these old pictures and videos!!! It´s an excellent piece of developing mega procets in urban traffic. When politics or international big business is involved you never know the outcome. Some points ar very "thai". Others happen everywhere. A signed contract doesn´t mean a project will start;) And many "suffering" families in the end must be fred too:) Can´t wait for part II.

[@BangkokPat]

Thank you very much mate, there was of course lots of obstacles to overcome for each failed project and those doing the negotiating won't be benefitting from the train system anyway so why the urgency, I think you get what I mean!

[@Rumbar57]

Thanks Pat, another great video bringing back good memories of Lumphini park. Just visited a near by park, Benchakitti Park, for the first time and was suitably impressed. Always great to have green areas in large cities for the people to enjoy. Thanks again for your great content. Cheers, Shane 🍺

[@BangkokPat]

You sure you watched the right video?

[@alancurtis9155]

A really excellent presentation, thanks

[@BangkokPat]

Thanks Alan.

[@JohnDoe-Alien]

wow what a great video - thanks for posting !!

[@bangkokfed]

Wow! What a fantastic presentation! I love using the BTS it's one of my favorite things about the city. Thanks for the detailed information and history.

[@ChanyaAndWazzaThailand]

Can't wait for part 2!

[@BangkokPat]

Cheers mate, are you up for taking the Maeklong Line soon?

[@ChanyaAndWazzaThailand]

@@BangkokPat Just hit me up when you're ready

[@grahamjohnson4702]

It's amazing how through all of Thailand's political upheavals that the sky train is running so well today, and improving Great video and great information. Was great to see an old Vauxhall Victor in an earlier part of the video.

[@davidarmstrong2748]

Fascinating - and absorbing, as it is so well-researched. It may have taken a long time but the development of the rail systems has made Bangkok a much better city. I live outside of Bangkok and when I come to the city I park my car at the hotel and get around by BTS and MRT. Thank you for the history lesson: waiting for Part Two

[@BangkokPat]

Many thanks David.

[@arpitpanditji]

What an absolutely fantastic piece of art you have managed to create Pat! Hat’s off to you mate. This channel is criminally underrated

[@BangkokPat]

Thanks! Glad to be appreciated. More subs will come with the big well trodden topics but everyone else already covers them very very often. I am happy biding my time with the alternative look at the city but l will always be here for years with constant new content while the other channels come and go.

[@A808K]

This is great Pat ! I ❤BTS and can't wait to see more.

[@BangkokPat]

Thanks Aaron.

[@servantandrew]

Oh I love it, more trains and cats please.

[@BangkokPat]

Not as many cats this time but yes, more will be coming soon.

[@nkhustler815]

Great information Pat. The Skytrain is a great service

[@BangkokPat]

Cheers, I most definitely agree with you!

[@aussiethaibangkok1434]

Excellent video... looking forward to part 2 and beyond.

[@BangkokPat]

Cheers mate.

[@MrOweo]

Amasing history footages! Waiting for the part two

[@geoffreyrose1620]

Love your work on the history of the railway in Bangkok

[@BangkokPat]

Cheers Geoffrey.

[@mikestravelshow]

Thank god for the skytrain 🚆 in Bangkok. I admire the research you do to makes these videos. Good job pat 👏 👍

[@mtm4a]

Wow, your fantastic research, the archive footage and artists' impressions, plus your attention to detail are quite incredible, Pat! Thank you so much for putting so much hard work into this task, and I look forward very much to watching Part 2. Whilst viewing Part 1, I couldn't help thinking about a comparison with the London Underground system, which was the world's first such project, and opened its first line in *1863* .

[@BangkokPat]

Thank you so much 😀I am from London and the tube is easily the world's best!

[@leighlatreille9601]

Man, how did you find that old Hopewell train in a coffee shop in Nakhon Pathom! Awesome! I’m normally not into taking selfies, but I’m definitely going to find that coffee shop and sit in the engineer’s chair. Excellent video my friend. Just keeps getting better.

[@BangkokPat]

I will add some links and thai subs tonight! Cheers Lee!

[@genlawai]

Great stuff. Informative as always ...

[@Srey41998]

Great video. Looking forward to part 2. Thanks for share

[@BangkokPat]

Thank you Heng.

[@binglim1]

Good job. Great research Pat. Many locals would find your vlogs informative and entertaining as well.

[@BangkokPat]

Thank you, I added the Thai subs for that reason!

[@andrewfrancis4462]

@@BangkokPat Good idea the subs, but one problem with it - they appear over the English text and you can't read it!

[@adamhowells7428]

Another great video Pat Your knowledge on Bangkok is second to none.

[@BangkokPat]

Thanks Adam.

[@LifewithSerg]

Another awesome video Pat. Top notch research, as always!

[@akaAlias]

Great research and great content!

[@BangkokPat]

Thank you very much!

[@lukerabin5079]

Wow! Fantastic piece, mate! Brilliant research and even better content sourcing.

[@michaelmalone3346]

Great archival footage and tons of interesting info. As always, the commentary script AND style are top shelf. Thank you for what is clearly a lot of effort. Cheers!

[@BangkokPat]

Thank you so much Michael for the kind words mate.

[@panosliakos3653]

I live in Mueang Nonthaburi, and I use the Purple Line MRT... It's like BTS - if not better! :D

[@BangkokPat]

MRT Purple Line is fabulous! It's extentsion will make it even greater!

[@DonBigMango]

Pat, more of these type videos whenever possible. Excellent and enjoyable as ever.

[@BangkokPat]

Most definitely a lot more planned Don. Cheers.

[@mrmartin2079]

Just think of All the lovely graft ( and I’m not talking about Pat’s hard work ) that these projects generated over the years

[@BangkokPat]

The mind boggles Martin!

[@Cybertokyofilms]

Great history lession Pat. looking forward to part 2

[@Seafarer1947]

Another excellent presentation Pat. You always make very interesting and educational blogs. You surpassed yourself with this one Pat and all credit to you for this 10/10

[@BangkokPat]

Thank you very much.

[@HataitipPrompes]

ขอบคุณสำหรับข้อมูลดีๆ นะคะ ดูเพลินมากๆ

[@Danny.Hyde2022]

BIG Thanks for your videos Pat. Fantastic. Really look forward to part 2

[@BangkokPat]

Thanks Danny.

[@Th-vy8ut]

Part 2 will include cats from Lumpini

[@mmaranta785]

Interesting!

[@colinandersen4601]

As usual, informative and interesting. Love your work.

[@BangkokPat]

Cheers Colin.

[@Beast-py2vz]

Awesome

[@BangkokPat]

Thanks for the kind words!

[@Geoffreyboucher]

Fantastic video Pat the old footage is fantastic,,,

[@BangkokPat]

Cheers mate, thanks!

[@josephmercurio909]

Excellent.

[@BangkokPat]

Thanks Joseph.

[@cafyoutube]

Cracking video. Informative and fun. Hopefully I can still take the old train line somewhere when I’m back. Before it’s gone!

[@BangkokPat]

The line from Hua Lamphong is now safe for another few years at least!

[@vegaz3369]

Great 👍

[@BangkokPat]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@artsaurus_d]

Thank you for this video

[@BangkokPat]

Thanks very much!

[@andrewk4881]

Thanks for the very interesting video. I always wondered how the Bangkok public transport system evolved. The videos from the 1980's were great. Looking forward to part 2.

[@BangkokPat]

Thanks Andrew.

[@theymademedoit6814]

Smashing vid as usual Pat ....found that all really interesting 👍 Gold star ⭐

[@BangkokPat]

Thanks a lot mate.

[@theymademedoit6814]

@@BangkokPat welcome 👍Credit where credits due 🙂

[@clouddrifter6759]

Really informative and greatly presented, love ur videos!

[@BangkokPat]

Cheers, thank you.

[@bobc5730]

Great reporting Pat.

[@BangkokPat]

Cheers Bob.

[@simonbrown4142]

Amazing footage as always ❤

[@rexprestonstoner4612]

Thanks, Pat. You're backfilling some important history that otherwise might've gotten lost. Thanks. RPS

[@BangkokPat]

Thanks very much Rex.

[@harrypalmer1]

Most enjoyable Pat - well researched. I have watched an aborted transport schemes around the world vid a few years ago - the Planet is littered with them. There was a tunnel put in somewhere, maybe South America, for the buses to go through that was never finished. It's still full of old buses. I guess you need a bit of luck with the technology at the right time, and hope nothing better comes along. The UK still argue about the wrong gauge having gone down, maybe Brunel wanted a wider one, which was rejected. I'm grateful that when I started coming in 2003, things were up & running lol. Will you have a 5 days to go screen come up, 4,3,2,1 for part 2? 😎

[@BangkokPat]

Thank you Justin, many white elephants in London's rail system, projects that would have made life more convenient like the Northern Heights, Beeching was the devil in disguise when it came to railways!

[@WocPaul1]

Fascinating. I remember my first trip on the Sky Train when came to Bangkok for a short trip in January 2000. Looking forward to Part II. Thanks Pat.

[@dandgresort]

Fantastic!

[@BangkokPat]

Thanks George!

[@ralphsamedi8004]

Great one Pat. Where do you get these facts and footages. Wow impressive

[@BangkokPat]

Cheers Ralph, it's endless research until I find what I'm looking for and it fits!

[@redpilldenmark5741]

Fantastic. Can´t wait for part 2

[@BangkokPat]

Thanks very much!

[@mchaisoccer]

Informative and insightful history of Railway system in Bangkok. It is really hard to find such a content like this even in Thai language version.

[@BangkokPat]

Thank you very much

[@bangkokbullmoto]

When they dug up Sukhumvit to build the pillars for the skytrain I noticed that they were actually uncovering existing rebar not far down and welding the new rebar for the pillars on to that so not sure what those structures were from. Good to see how well the lines have held up in your other videos, not much sign of wear or decay. Sometimes embarrassing to take Thai girl on London's underground by way of comparison.

[@BangkokPat]

That rebar sticking up is from the four piles they put down about 20-30 metres then a huge rebar cage and fill it all with concrete, that's the base, then put the moulds for pillars up on that base and pour the concrete .www.bts.co.th/eng/library/system-structuer.html