This question might not be difficult to answer. Most people could likely respond to the lingering thought in their minds without hesitation that'this is definitely not what we are currently experiencing.'But deep down, they probably feel there’s nothing to be done because this is'the normal we face every day.'
For those who commute to work inBangkok,waking up early to allow time for the journey, the chaos during rush hour fighting to board public transport, waiting at bus stops without knowing exactly when the bus will arrive under nearly 40-degree heat or pouring storms, the congestion of vehicles on the roads, fares that cost nearly half a day’s wage, or walking cautiously to avoid potholes and flooding—these have become'normality'that should not be, yet are seen so frequently that they become habitual and force us to endure the social conditions by default.
But the question is, should we really accept and endure this physical and mental fatigue? In truth, what we understand as normal is actually'the abnormality'of urban planning, management, and public transportation systems that are pressuring our quality of life every day.
Since what happens may be a normality based on abnormality, Thairath Plus invites everyone to question and seek the answer to'what normality'of travel inBangkokshould look like, together with the Thairath Plus editorial team, and why the normal we deserve shouldn't be costly.
Amid the chaos and struggle to survive in the capital, as people who must work and live in a big city, these are the voices of those affected on the streets, all hoping to survive each day.
Every time I have to wake up earlier than usual or rush home sooner, I lose a lot of opportunities to enjoy life each day. If I didn’t have to worry about commuting, I could have slept longer, dressed faster, and had time to comfortably watch anime.
Ai, 22 years old – Intern student
Traffic is congested, public transport is full of annoying people—if traffic were better, public transport more comprehensive, and more options available, the irritation from traveling in the city might be less.
Meemie, 22 years old – Content Creator
Traveling inBangkok,whether near or far, always requires extra time. Often, even with extra allowance, I’m still late. It’s really frustrating. To save time by riding a motorcycle, I have to risk safety. If I used the travel time to practice something, I’d be an expert by now.
Ploy, 23 years old – Graphic Designer
Nowadays, I spend almost 4 hours commuting daily. If I could get to work faster, avoid traffic jams, not have to transfer multiple times, and spend less time on the road, I would have more time to rest and improve my life.
Importantly, there should be no question like‘Why don’t you move closer to work?’because the root problem is the structure and public transport system that doesn’t support everyone, not the distance of homes from the city center.
Pookie, 27 years old – Content Creator
'I ride a motorcycle in Bangkok daily. Undeniably, it’s the fastest mode but also probably the most dangerous. When traffic is heavy, if I had to wait behind cars, I’d never arrive. So, I weave between lanes, always watching mirrors and other vehicles weaving too, plus dealing with scorching sun and black smoke from buses blowing into my face. These should not be 'normal' conditions road users must endure.'
'I’ve seen some roads start marking the leftmost lane for motorcycles, which I see as a good approach. But riders must also respect the rules—I don’t approve of motorcycles running red lights or driving against traffic either.'
'If you ask what normal urban travel should be like, we must first accept the reality that Bangkok’s layout with many small sois and limited through roads makes motorcycles a convenient choice. The city should create a 'Universal Design' on roads that prioritizes safety and allocates space for all vehicle types to share systematically.'
Non, 26 years old – Senior Content Creator
I once spent 3 hours on the road returning fromuniversityand then 2 hours during working life. I have hobbies I want to pursue, but coming home exhausted from commuting, I rarely get to do anything substantial because I have to sleep early. Even if I force myself, my eyes close. I think the 'normal' in Bangkok should be traffic without jams and smooth flow, but part of the problem is the urban layout (which is difficult to fix), or the public transport regulations—such as fixed schedules or safety. Everything is interconnected; good public transport alone doesn’t mean we won’t spend hours on the road.
Tonkla, 28 years old – Senior Content Creator
'I like riding motorcycles because it’s hot, dusty, and thrilling—not really. It’s because it’s the fastest, cheapest, and gets me there quickest. But every time I ride, I’m anxious and alert, afraid I won’t arrive safely, my fate in the hands of strangers I randomly meet, the sound of horns, or sudden brakes. I think of the previous day’s image: black asphalt and red blood seen daily. Will there be a day it’s me? I’ve become numb to this reality. Whether this is normal or not, I don’t have many better options.'
Pim, 32 years old – Video Producer
'Currently, Bangkok makes walking especially complicated and difficult,with sidewalks often of insufficient quality or discontinuous,and issues with lighting and safety at night, plus complex alleys requiring motorcycle taxi or taxi rides to connect between home and public transport, which adds cost and time daily.'
'Although improvements continue and some problems are due to weather or difficult urban layouts, no matter the method, we want walking in the city—both downtown and alleys—to be more normal. Walking is not just a mode of travel but helps us experience and understand the city and its people along the route.'
Pao, 32 years old – Editor