Before classes start again at the University of the Philippines on August 20, I had a chance to insert a quick trip to Bangkok with friends. The last time I was there was in 2018, and I’ve forgotten how modern Thailand is compared to the Philippines. Sure, Don Mueang Airport’s a little bit old compared to our own NAIA Terminal 3, but it was relatively painless going from there to our place by Grab.
We didn’t get stuck in traffic, as one would experience by default coming from any of the NAIA airports. And of course, Bangkok’s main airport, Suvarnabhumi, is leagues above our own NAIA. Food is cheap.
A large Americano, for example, sets you back by 70 baht (about P113). A sizeable bowl of chicken noodle soup costs 45 baht (P73). Actually, this is a recurring thought whenever you get to visit neighboring Asian neighbors: food is so expensive in the Philippines! My morning jogs also reminded me of how decent Bangkok’s public infrastructure is.
Major roads are lined with wide sidewalks and trees, safe enough for a jog — something that is simply absent along EDSA. Nearby rivers and creeks are clean and don’t smell foul. Buses arrive promptly at designated waiting sheds.
The subway stations are neatly integrated along sidewalks, while above-ground MRT stations seamlessly lead to big malls. Several subway lines crisscross one another, in contrast to the embarrassingly few LRT and MRT lines in Manila. INTEGRATED.
Subway stations are seamlessly integrated with sidewalks a.