The Mass Transport of Phra Pradaeng.

Last weekend I went on a trip out to Phra Pradaeng to photograph and document the local mass transport of the area. The mass transport of Phra Pradaeng consists of a number of different modes of transport. These modes are Bus, Truck – Bus, Boat, Motorbike Taxi and the increasingly rare Samlor (Pedal Taxi).

Phra Pradaeng is a rather odd part of suburban Bangkok in that it has its own and rather ancient culture and customs. This differing culture is not directly visible from the outside as the streetscapes of the area are typically suburban Bangkok. However this difference creates some interesting situations such as celebrating major public holidays at a different time to the rest of Bangkok.

The town of Phra Pradaeng is administered under the city of Paknam and lies at the foot of the new Phra Pradaeng three way bridge. The town also guards the only land access to the “Phra Pradaeng Peninsula” or Bang Krachao a large bend in the Chao Phraya River that almost creates a large island if it were not for a narrow 500 meter wide spit of land. The Bang Krachao area which in places is only 5 km from inner Bangkok is set aside as an example of rural life before Bangkok was built over 200 years ago. Today this area is considered the “Green Lung of Bangkok”. However it is not a park or museum in any way it’s a real and functioning semi rural location.

1. This is a shot of Phra Pradaeng Bus terminal. It is located next to the Chao Phraya River and is the mass transport hub for the surrounding area. Buses depart from here every 1 min all day.



2. This is an image of a Route 82: Phra Pradaeng – Bang Lamphu bus. Taken at Phra Pradaeng bus terminal. Bus number 82 – 7. Bus type Merc Green Mini bus.



3. This is an image of a Route 6: Phra Pradaeng – Bang Lamphu bus. Taken as it departed the Phra Pradaeng bus terminal. Bus number 6 – 36. Bus type unknown.



4. This is a shot of a Route 1146: Phra Pradaeng – Samut Chedi Truck – bus. Taken as it exited the terminal. Note this Truck Bus service operates every 2 to 5 mins 7 days a week.



5. This is a shot of the main road in Central Phra Pradaeng town. In the foreground is a Route 6 Bus just beginning its journey to Bang Lamphu. Bus number 6 – 39.



6. This is an image of a route 82 mini bus. Taken as it exited the bus terminal. Bus number 82 - 82. Bus type Hino.



7. This is a picture of a Route 6 white non aircon bus. Bus Number 6 – 1. Taken just after it departed from Phra Pradaeng. These larger buses are much more comfortable to ride than the smaller green buses.



8. This is a shot of a Truck – bus operating on a factory charter in Phra Pradaeng town. This Truck – bus comes from Ayutthaya city 100 km to the north.



9. This is a shot of a BMTA non aircon route 82 bus. Bus number BMTA 5 – 40170. Bus type Hino. This type of bus operates every 10 mins and form part of the 24 hour service on this route.



10. This is another shot of a Route 82 green mini bus. Bus number 82 – 18. Taken at Phra Pradaeng Pier.



11. This is a general view of the Streetscape of Phra Pradaeng town. Taken looking towards the west.



12. This is an image of a Route 138 Phra Pradaeng – Mochit 2 expressway bus. Taken as it approached its final stop at Phra Pradaeng. Bus number BMTA 5 – 66160. Bus type Merc O 405.



13. This is a short movie showing the high frequency of the bus services in Phra Pradaeng town. Note this was filmed on a Sunday afternoon the quietest part of the week. The frequency along this road is every 30 seconds.



14. This is an image of a Route 1011 Phra Pradaeng – Bang Koh Bua. Bus Number 1011 – 9. Bus unknown. Note this bus operates on the main road up the middle of the “Phra Pradaeng Peninsula”. This bus is typical rural style.



15. This is another angle on the earlier BMTA bus number 5 – 66160. Taken as it starts its return trip to Mochit 2. This service operates every 5 to 10 mins 7 days a week.



16. This is an inside shot of a merc green mini bus. Taken while it was laying over at Phra Pradaeng. These small non aircon buses can hold up to 42 passengers. Also the doors at front and back on these buses do not work and are always open even when stored.



17. This is a shot of the driver’s seat on the Green mini bus. All of these green mini buses are double declutch manuals. The round container on top of the engine is the driver’s drinking water supply. At times this may contain alcohol.



18. This is an inside view of a red Hino normal non aircon bus operated by BMTA. The biggest difference between these BMTA non aircon buses and the older private white non aircon bus is the lack of fans for the passengers.



19. This is a shot of the driver’s seat on the Hino BMTA bus. The BMTA buses are generally kept in better order as the drivers don’t drive the same bus every day. Note the engine is at the front next to the driver on this type of bus.



20. This is a shot of a Route 6 bus waiting in the route 6 bus holding area at the back of Phra Pradaeng bus terminal. Bus number 6 – 16. Bus type older non aircon Merc.



21. This is an inside shot of the same route 6 bus. Note how the fans are located down the middle of the bus rather than above the seated passengers. This layout is not common in Bangkok.



22. This is a shot of the Cross river ferry at Phra pradaeng. Taken as it was underway. In the background is the only cross river car and truck ferry in Thailand.



23. This is another shot of the Cross river ferry taking a good load of passengers toward Phra Pradaeng. The eastern side of the river is known as Samrong Tai and it is very industrial.



24. This is an image of the Cross river Vehicle ferry. Taken as it brings a load of cars and motorbikes across to Phra Pradaeng. This ferry until 2006 was the only way to cross the Chao Phraya River between Paknam and the Rama 9 Bridge.



25. This is a great shot of the new Phra Pradaeng road bridge that opened in 2006 to create a faster vehicle link from the east to the west. This bridge has reduced the heavy vehicle pressure on the cross river ferry which still runs 2 years after the bridge opened. Note: this bridge was recently shown on a Discovery Channel documentary.



26. This is a shot of the even more recent “Paknam Bridge” This bridge was built to complete the southern outer ring road or “Kanchanaphisek Road”. It opened in 2007. In the foreground is another Cross river vehicle ferry.



27. This is an image of a Pedal taxi or Samlor. Taken at Phra Pradaeng Pier. These are quite rare in the suburbs of Bangkok. As fuel prices rise they may make a comeback in a big way.



28. This is an inside view of the passenger cross river ferry at Phra Pradaeng. These ferries can hold up to 150 people.



29. This is a shot of the captain’s seat on the cross river ferry. On a lot of these boats the captain’s seat is not in a separate area to the passengers. The equipment for it was taken from an old bus or truck.



30. This is a movie of a ride on the Phra Pradaeng cross river ferry. Filmed as it travels from Phra Pradaeng to Samrong Tai. The ride takes 2 to 3 mins depending on how fast the driver goes. It costs 3 baht per person to cross. This film also gives a good view of the riverside and the new bridge.



31. This is a shot of Phra Pradaeng Pier taken looking from the Samrong Tai side of the river. Note the gathering storm clouds in the background.



32. This is a picture of the ticket barriers at Samrong Tai. You pay your 3 baht fare at these barriers for both directions. There is no ticketing facility at Phra Pradaeng.



33. Like most parts of Bangkok motorbike taxis play a major role in mass transport due to there speed and low cost and it fills in the last mile problem of mass transport. Thus allowing the Thai mass transport system to be door to door in a way that is similar to that of a private car.



34. This is a group of 3 buses waiting to depart Samrong Tai on their trips around the city of Paknam. Note the middle bus is air conditioned.



35. This is a shot of a Route 1291 Samrong Tai – Bang Hua Suea – Bang Ya Pak Truck - Bus. Taken just after it arrived and let down its passengers. Truck- Bus number 1291 – 20.



36. This is a general view of the route 1144 Truck – Bus holding area at Samrong Tai. There are hundreds of these Truck – buses allocated to route 1144. During peak hour this service operates on a continuous shuttle basis. Approx freq every 20 seconds.



37. This is a shot of a Route 1144 Samrong Tai – Samrong Truck Bus. Taken as it was loading up with passengers for its quiet Sunday afternoon trip.



38. Also on Route 1144 full size non aircon buses operate. This is bus number 1144 – 7 waiting to depart Samrong Tai terminal. Bus type unknown.



39. This is an image of a Route 1140: Samrong Tai - Paknam Van. Taken as it waited for passengers at Samrong Tai. This service appears to be an alternative route to the normal Route 1140: Paknam – Klong Dan that operates from Paknam city.



40. This is an inside view of a route 1144 bus. Note the general condition of the bus and the “Fan of death” at the front next to the driver with no guards around it. Also the doors have been cut off on this bus leaving an opening.



41. This is a shot of a Route 1286: Samrong Tai – Paknam City air conditioned bus. Taken as it waited to depart Samrong Tai. This bus is brand new but is odd in that its engine is at the front. Type unknown appears to be a local build. Bus number 1286 – 111. Almost all new buses have an engine at the rear. This bus could be a re body from a much older non aircon.



42. This is an inside image of the Route 1286 bus. Note the engine taking up floor space and the TV set above the driver. The air conditioning on this bus is powered by a second small engine at the back.



43. This is a shot of the driver’s seat on the Route 1286 bus. The driver’s family travels with him on each trip. His very young daughter helps him to change gears as he drives along.



44. This is an image of Bus number 1144 – 31 with a load of passengers on board taking off from Samrong Tai leaving a smoke trail behind.



45. This is a shot of a typical Sunday afternoon load on Route 1286. A lot more people than is common on off peak buses in Australia. The route is only 15 km long but filled up quickly and stayed full for most of its 40 minute journey to Paknam City.



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.

The Buses and Trucks of Paknam City

After Visiting Phra Pradaeng I travelled on to Paknam City to photograph and document the Buses and Truck – Buses of Paknam. Paknam City is the heart of the greater city of Paknam also known as the city of Samut Prakan. The history of Paknam dates back 300 years when it was nothing more than a small fishing village. Around 230 years ago when Bangkok was formed it became the deep water port and ship building area for all of central Thailand. Today its role is more of heavy industry such as chemical, general manufacturing, vehicle manufacturing and ship building. The deep water port is now located near Chonburi and a river port is located at Klong Toei 20 km closer to Bangkok. Today the City of Paknam which is really a large suburban centre is becoming a city in it own right with the construction of a large condo tower on the site of the old prison.

The older densely populated inner city of Paknam is a centre of administration and market trade. The river banks in Paknam are home to a large semi open air wet market. Paknam was the site of Thailand 1st railway and its 1st electric railway. But for reasons unknown in the 1960s this railway was closed and ripped up and the route converted to a road. In the 1890s it took around 45 to 60 mins to travel the 30 km from inner Bangkok by train. Today it takes over 2 hours to travel the same 30 km route by bus due to extremely heavy traffic on the main road to Paknam city.

Paknam’s lack of a railway does not mean it is devoid of mass transport its inner city is home to a large number of bus routes serving areas to the east and north of Paknam city. Areas to the west are linked by high frequency boat services. In the next 10 years or so the BTS elevated rail system will reach Paknam city and thus restoring its long lost rail link to Bangkok. Currently the BTS ends at Onnut terminal 20 km to the north on Sukhumvit road.

1. This is a general view of one of many bus and truck stops in inner Paknam. This one is used only by Paknam local services. Most local services depart from here.



2. This is a shot of a Route 1196: Paknam – Samut Niwet Truck – Bus. Taken at the local bus terminal at Paknam city. Truck – bus number 1196 – 24. Truck type Isuzu. Note: this truck operates an alternative route to the full size buses.



3. This is a shot an industrial estate route 5 Truck – Bus. Paknam has a number of private industrial estate routes operated by trucks like this. Truck number 5 – 2. Truck Type Isuzu.



4. This is an image of a route 1140: Paknam – Klong Dan Truck – Bus. Taken just after it has departed from the bus terminal. Truck number 1140 – 525. Note the gathering storm clouds are getting closer.



5. This is a shot of a Paknam – Udom Ake Truck – bus. Waiting to depart Paknam. Note the fruit stands in the background. Truck number unknown. Truck type older Izusu.



6. This is a shot of a Route 508 Paknam – Ratchaworadit Pier bus. Taken as it approached one of the main BMTA bus stops in central Paknam. Bus number BMTA 3 – 66355. Bus type Merc O405.



7. This is a picture of a Route 25: Paknam – Hualamphong via Ratchadamri Road bus. Bus number 33 – 116. Bus type older non aircon merc. This service is 24 hours.



8. This is a shot of a Route 365: Paknam – Bang Pakong bus. Taken as it was arriving at the central bus stop in Paknam. Bus number 365 – 19. Bus type Unknown. Note this service is an interurban commuter service.



9. This is a shot of a Paknam – Bang Phli Truck – bus. Taken at Paknam as it was about to head out to Bang Phli. Truck type Isuzu.



10. This is an image of a Route 1140 bus. Turning out of the local bus area as it departs Paknam. Bus number 1140 – 15. Bus type old Hino high floor.



11. This is a shot of a Route 507: Paknam – Southern Bus Terminal via Rama 4 bus. Bus number 507 – 10. Bus type Merc O305 front engine. This bus service is the Train replacement service for the Paknam railway. It takes over 2 hours to reach Hualamphong SRT station via this bus.



12. This is a shot of a full size Route 1196: Paknam - Srieium bus. Taken as it races out of the Paknam bus terminal. Bus number 1196 – 31. Bus type: rural commuter bus.



13. This is a shot of a Route 25: Paknam – Tha Chang bus. Bus number BMTA 3 – 40268. Bus type Hino. Taken at the bus stop at Talat Paknam. This is a 24 hour service.



14. This is a short movie showing how frequent the buses are in Paknam. Note the wide range of different bus types from Merc O305 to small Truck – Buses. Most of the routes also share a single bus stop and not a separate stop for each route as common in Australia. Some routes run every 2 mins as shown in the video two departures at once of route 1141.



15. This is an image of a Route 1141: Paknam – Ramkhamhaeng University 2. Taken at Paknam bus terminal. Bus number 1141 – 19. Bus type older rural commuter bus. This service is every 2 to 5 mins. Runs on NGV.



16. This is a shot of a Route 142: Paknam – Kheha Thonburi expressway bus. Bus number BMTA 3 – 66237. Bus type merc O405. This bus service is one of the busiest bus services that link Paknam to Thonburi. This bus left Paknam with no spare seats and will be packed a few stops later with standing passengers. Operates every 1 to 5 mins 7 days a week.



17. This is a shot of the off peak loading on a Sunday afternoon on Route 142. Taken just 3 stops north of Paknam. This service is always has a good standing load.



18. This is a short Movie of a ride on a crowded Route 142 bus. Filmed as it approached Kilometer 9 in Thonburi. Also note how short the stop is despite the large load on board. Remember this is a Sunday afternoon. Not peak hour.



19. This is an inside shot of a typical Paknam Truck bus service. The comfort is actually not too bad even though you face sideways like on a train.



20. This is a general view of inner city Paknam as a truck bus and a route 25 pass each other.



21. This is a rear angle shot of a Route 25 bus. Taken as it powers though the middle of Paknam bus area. Bus number 34 – 113. Bus type HINO HO7D.



22. This is a shot of a well loaded Truck – bus as it departs from Paknam. Note: when the seats fill up people stand and sit on the steps at the back as it running.



23. Another angle on a Route 365 bus as it passes KFC in Paknam city. Bus number 365 – 61. Bus type Merc rural commuter bus. Runs on NGV.



24. This is a streetscape view of the centre of Paknam. The streets in this area are quite narrow and operate as a one way loop. This place would be good for a nice landscaped city square instead of just an open concrete square.



25. This is a shot of a Route 102 Paknam – Central Rama 3 Expressway bus. Bus number 3 – 45027. Bus type Merc O405. Taken out the front of Talat Paknam.



26. This is a shot a Route 145 Paknam – Mochit 2 bus. Bus number BMTA 3 – 9036. Bus Type Merc O405 Articulated. Taken from in front of Talat Paknam. Note: This service operates 24 hours. Route 145 and Route 511 are the only routes in Thailand that operate articulated buses. These buses carry up to 180 people and are worked very hard.



27. This is another angle on the same Route 145 articulated bus. Taken as it heads out on another 2 hour plus trip to Mochit 2.



28. This is a stormy sky shot of the Paknam – Samut Chedi Cross river boat service. This boat service operates from 4am to 1am 7 days a week and runs every 3 mins. Despite the frequency of every 3 mins it could not cope with demand on a normal Sunday afternoon.



29. This is a shot of the massive queue for the Samut Chedi boat service. The amount of people waiting was around 200 and growing all the time. So I went home via route 142 and thankfully got a seat. This was about 4pm on a Sunday.



30. This is a shot of a few buses in action as they depart Paknam. Taken from the BMTA stop at the northern end of Paknam city.



31. This is a shot of a Route 1196 bus looking like it’s out of control but its just the angle of the road. In the background are a number of other buses on there way out of Paknam City.



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.