For over a decade, getting from downtown to meet someone at the Paradise Park mall or hunt records at the nearby Vinyl Die Hards meant heading off to BTS Udom Suk and then a long moto taxi ride. The only alternative was a lengthy cab ride that could last hours in evening traffic, especially during the past several years of construction.
Last month, that all changed with a new option.
What’s it called? Monorail!
You may have heard those things are awfully loud, but I can now say it truly glides as softly as a cloud.
This past week I became one of the early birds to live out my Lyle Lanley fantasy and see the sights as I rode it all the way from end to end.
Before we hit the rails to catalog the sights and locales, let’s answer some essential questions.
Where? The MRT Yellow Line describes a large backward C running southeast from Lat Phrao then turns southward along Srinakarin Road all the way to Khlong Samrong, where it twists back northwest along Thepharak Road to BTS Samrong. Its 23 stations stretch over 30.4 kilometers.
When and how? Trains run from 6am to midnight. Fares run from THB15 to THB45. There are two park-and-ride facilities, one at MRT Lat Phrao (THB15 for two hours, shared with the existing MRT Blue Line), and another at MRT Si Lam near Central Bangna (THB5 per hour).
How often? A digital display showed trains arriving every 8 minutes or so along the Samrong stretch. North and west, through Lat Phrao, trains came at a 5-minute interval.
Is it accessible? There appeared to be elevators at the stations, and the train can accommodate passengers using wheelchairs, though Manit Intharapim of Accessibility is Freedom notes that it’s a tight fit and the train doesn’t sit flush with the platform.
How fast does it go? This genuine, bonafide and electrified ride feels as fast as an overhead BTS train. But you can hear its Bombardier Innovia Monorail 300’s IGBT inverters kick it up a notch along the Lat Phrao stretch, so be sure to hang on to something.
All aboard!
While the free rides have ended, there’s much to see, and this reporter spent three hours mapping points of interest along the way that were either difficult to reach in the past or just worth checking out.
Most of the stations are located in parts of town far from the action of downtown. Much of the ride passes through same-same residential buildings, highways, and greenery.
Samrong
If you live in the city, odds are you will take the BTS Sukhumvit Line (Light Green) to Samrong to reach begin your monorail adventure. Before heading to the MRT concourse, consider the 10-minute-or-so walk to one of several nearby warehouses selling second-hand goods from Japan.
Thippawan
Coming down at MRT Thippawan, just north of the station is a novelty to check out, the nearly abandoned and somewhat decrepit Palm Island Mall. There’s very little activity and many shops are closed at what used to be a tranquil community shopping center.
A bit further north, the Dan Samrong Municipality Park is a very popular green destination for joggers and bikers. If you’re bored of the usual downtown parks, this could prove a nice change of scenery. It opens at 4pm.
Si Thepha
The next station brings us close to the Underdog Microbrewery. Gone is the struggle to get to this craft beer haven, in our new monorail paradigm. It has numerous craft beers on tap to try in a crowd packed with commuters and after-work drinking buddies.
Si Dan
Supermarket going to be closed before you reach home? The Jas Urban Srinagarindra community mall is open 24/7.
Want a longer break from all the monorailing? Order refreshments at the TasteBud cafe to recharge your travel energy.
Si Bearing
Tennis fans can stop here for Bearing 68 Tennis, which has four courts and summer classes for children.
Si La Salle
The monorail gives parents and students another way to reach Bangkok Pattana School, and from MRT Si La Salle, foodies and travelers can get their local food market fix. Racha Rod Nuea Toon sells fiery grilled food and noodles and braised beef. International flavors in the area include La Maison by Chef Billy, Sushi Dan, or Flavours of India, located right by the station.
Si Lam
Children can go play at Central Bangna’s Pororo Aqua Park water park. Those looking to go deeper or float above the clouds can head over to the Space Time Bangna dispensary’s large selection of buds and bongs.
To ascend in the most practical sense, the nearby Rock Domain sells climbing gear for those who want a cardio regimen away from the boring gym treadmill.
Suan Luang Rama IX
This was the most important stop to this reporter. From here, people can finally reach Paradise Park, Seacon Square, and Bangkok’s largest public park. It’s also near the Srinagarindra Train Night Market where you can eat food and shop for clothes and accessories. Nearby the market is OG stoner provider Bong Party where you can shop for bongs and pipes. Record collectors and music enthusiasts can walk across Paradise Park for second-hand records at Vinyl Die Hards.
Hua Mak
Continue north a few stops to MRT Hua Mak, which connects to Airport Rail Link Hua Mak, which is just three stops from Suvarnabhumi International Airport.
Bang Kapi
For Bangkok mall completionists, this station gives easy access to The Mall Bangkapi. Let’s go to The Mall today!
Mahat Thai
From this station, bend a bow at the nearby ArcheryThai. Head over to the Mahadthai Night Market after emptying a couple quivers.
Lat Phrao 71
Find numerous coffee spots including a card and boardgame cafe in walkable distance. Skaters can take a short ride or grind northeast to shred at FLicK SkatePark.
Lat Phrao
We made it to the other end. At the Yellow Line’s other terminal, tourists were still taking photos and videos of the new station sign when I visited. Others waited to catch the monorail switching tracks for the return trip. Had enough gliding softly as a cloud? The platform is connected to the MRT Blue Line.
Happy travels!
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