Mahachai city is a major port city about 50 km from the inner city areas of Bangkok. Mahachai is a very industrial place. With hundreds of factories that manufacture all kinds of things. The city of Mahachai has existed for over 200 years and was founded on the banks of the Thachin River and Klong Mahachai. This area provides the perfect spot for a deep water fishing port. Therefore Mahachai’s main industry is fishing and seafood products. It is famous around Thailand for its fresh seafood. A lot seafood is exported to the USA, EU, Australia and around Asia. When you buy prawns in Australia that say “imported” it’s likely it came from the Mahachai area.
The Mahachai area is very low lying only about 50 cm above sea level with huge areas of mangrove swamps. The city is only 2 km from the gulf of Thailand. There are no beaches of any type for 50 km in either direction of Mahachai city.
The people are mostly made up of Thai fishermen and Burmese laborers who mostly work under the radar. More recently there has been an increase in Thai Chinese and Japanese who operate businesses and the hundreds of factories in the area. As a result of this high concentration of factories and the port the area attracts a lot of poor upcountry Thai (Issan) and Burmese workers who are often not treated well by their bosses. The average Thai factory workers pay is 200 baht a day the average for Burmese is around 120 baht a day.
This area has a wide range of mass transport types. These are SRT train, Bus, truck, pedal cab, motorbike and boat. A lot of the transport vehicles are very old but are very well used even in this modern age.
1. This is a picture of the route 68 bus that I took to Mahachai city. Bus number 68-14. This is a merc bus like most Thai buses. Route 68 operates from Sanam Luang to Mahachai via Rama 2 road. Taken at Kheha Thonburi (soi 60). This route runs every 10 mins from 4am to 11pm 7days a week.
2. This is an image of the inside of bus 68-14 taken near Kheha Thonburi on Rama 2 road.
3. This is a short movie showing what its like to ride on a route 68 bus. This is an air-conditioned bus and almost all the seats where taken. Note: the short stops and general nature of this bus.
4. This is a picture of one of the main junctions in the center of Mahachai city. This is taken near the police station on Ekkachai road. The large building in the background is a new 7 story apartment complex that rents out from 3800 baht per month.
5. This is a short movie showing the area around the main bus terminal next to Mahachai Peir. Note: the amount of buses and trucks that are passing. Also there is quite a range of different types of vehicles.
6. This is a shot of a long distance commuter truck-bus service taken near Mahachai police station. This is truck number 6035-9 this truck operates on route 6035: Mahachai city to Cal Com (industrial complex). Most of these trucks make up the Mahachai mass transport system. They operate either on a 15 min or 30 min frequency from 4am to 8pm 7days a week.
7. This is a image of truck number 8221-19 operating on route 8221: Mahachai city to Ban Ka Long .The truck-bus routes cover most of the semi rural outer areas of Mahachai city. Taken at Mahachai Pier bus terminal.
8. This is an inside shot of a typical Mahachai commuter truck-bus. They are similar in comfort to a non aircond metro bus. These larger trucks operate on routes of between 60 to 90 minutes long. Taken at Mahachai Pier bus terminal.
9. This is another inside shot of a truck bus. Taken at Mahachai Pier bus terminal.
10. This is an image of a smaller high frequency truck bus service. Truck number 8183-32 is operates on route 8183: Mahachai city to Pin Tong. These small trucks tend to operate on suburban routes that run every 5 mins.
11. This is a shot of the yellow truck that operates from Mahachai city to Central Rama 2. This is a bit of an odd ball route in that it operates as a long distance route along Rama 2 road into middle suburban Bangkok. The route is about 1 hour long.
12. This is a shot of the short distance country bus stop at Mahachai pier. These orange buses operate on routes of up to 3 hours long. They only operate non aircond buses on these routes.
13. This is a pic of Bus number 976-1096. This bus operates on route 976 from Dao Khanong to Maeklong via Mahachai and Rama 2. Seen at Mahachai Pier. Every 30 mins off peak and every 10 mins peak. Takes about 2 hours end to end.
14. This is a rear shot of bus number 976-1096 taken at Mahachai pier. This is an air conditioned intercity bus. Type unknown.
15. This is a rear shot of a Route 402 Mahachai to Nakhon Pathom. This route operated every 10 mins from 4am to 8pm 7days as week. It takes 2 hours to complete this route. Bus no. 402-2. Merc Non aircond Country bus.
16. This is an inside shot of Bus no. 402-2. Note this bus has 2 + 3 seating. It can be a bit cramped inside when busy.
17. This is a pic of a route 481 bus Mahachai to Maekong This route operated every 20 mins from 4am to 8pm 7days a week. It takes about 1 hour to complete. Bus number 481-14. Type: Merc Non aircond country bus.
18. This is an inside shot of bus number 481-14. Unlike the route 402 bus this has 2+2 seating which is much nicer.
19. This is another angle on Bus number 481-14. Taken at Mahachai Pier.
20. This is a pic of a “Mahachai route” 6 bus. Route 6 operates from Mahachai to Klong Bang Ya. This is bus number 6-11 seen at the bus stop behind Mahachai station. Type unknown. Every 15 mins.
21. This is an inside shot of bus number 6-11. This is taken facing the rear.
22. This is an inside shot of bus number 6-11 showing the drivers seat area.
23. This is a pic of Bus number 120 – 18 operating on Route 120: Klong San to Mahachai Pier via Ekkachai rd. Bus type Unknown. This bus passes a large number of industrial complexes and seafood factories.
23. This is a collection of fishing boats. Moored at Mahachai West (Ban Laem). These boats normally go out to sea at night and return around 4am. This is what makes Mahachai famous for its seafood.
24. This is the Mahachai cross-river ferry terminal. Taken from the Ban Laem side of the river. It costs only 3 baht to use the ferry. They operate on a continuous shuttle all day.
25. This is a movie showing what it’s like to ride on a cross-river ferry from Mahachai to Ban Laem. These ferries take people and motorbikes. The roofline of the ferry is quite low so it makes the movie a bit dark at times. Also you get a nice view of the fishing port while you ride across the river.
26. This is an image of a large modern fishing ship moored at the main port area on the Klong Mahachai side of the river.
27. This is the wall that the “City of Mahachai” has been building for the last few years to fight off “climate change” sea level rise and land erosion by the sea and river.
28. This is a picture of the pedal taxis waiting near the Pier at Ban Laem. It costs around 15 baht for a short ride. On the right side of the picture is a motorbike taxi that is the pedal taxi’s direct competitor and costs 10 baht for a short ride.
Note: There are no pictures of the railways of the Mahachai area, as I will post them in a separate topic, as there is a lot to see and discuss about the railway systems in Mahachai.
I hope you find the pictures and vehicles shown to be of interest if you view this please post some comments and feelings about the pictures.
No comments:
Post a Comment