5 interesting facts about Bangkok’s car culture
By The Lenspeed Team
- Facelift models are called “Minor Change”
They might be direct translations of the Thai-equivalent, but they sound pretty darn cool and exactly what most cars stand for. Not Life Cycle Impulse or “Special Editions” – just an honest reflection of what minor changes had been done.
- Wake up early and park for free
Perhaps we’re too used to Singapore’s revenue-driven code of conduct, but yes, if you live in the North of Bangkok, there’s a way to park your car at this massive carpark and take the BTS down South to town. BTS Mo Chit might be more commonly known as the nearest station to the Chatuchak Weekend Market, but for the locals, it’s the place to park your cars and continue their commute via train. And this brings us on to the next point…
- Parking at major shopping malls are free too!
Yes, you heard right. Mega malls like Siam Paragon and Central World allow cars to stream in and out of their basements for free, at least for the first 2/3 hours. Would you rather pay for parking, or get caught for an hour making your way out of Basement 3?
- New cars have to slap on red vehicle registration plates
Cars with red plates are cars that are less than a month old (and of course, you can leave it on for as long as you like, so long as the police doesn’t come chasing after you). They can’t drive at night too, which I reckon is a way to prevent cars from leaving other states without tidying up the final paperwork on the first month of purchase.
- Tollways can be more expensive in Bangkok than Singapore
ERPs are expensive, but if you hop on tollways such as the one that links Don Mueang Airport to the North of Bangkok, you have to pay a hefty 100Baht (SGD$4). That does not guarantee a smooth journey back home, too.
Next up for Lenspeed – tackling the Bangkok streets behind the wheel on prime time, perhaps?
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