BANGKOK — A moving walkway to whisk commuters nearly a kilometer from BTS Surasak to the Chao Phraya River is one option in a long-delayed plan to rebuild or remove the 16-year-old “temporary” Skytrain station located at Saphan Taksin.

Whether the Silom Line remains a one-way service over the river or is upgraded to a more efficient double-track line, the station located above the Sathorn Pier would need to be demolished and extended for one meter on both sides, according to city officials who hope to decide the station’s future by the end of this month following years of prolonged deliberation.

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration recently discussed options for rebuilding the station, Deputy Bangkok Gov. Amorn Kitchawengkul said, which it hopes to soon complete and forward to transportation officials and relevant agencies.

Two options were floated by officials last year: an expensive rebuild of the station with two tracks or closing the station, leaving commuters with the option of using the nearby BTS Surasak.

Were a second track added, the bridge would need to be widened by 80 centimeters on each side – not an inexpensive proposition.

In 2012 the BMA announced it would demolish BTS Saphan Taksin, but the decision was unpopular with the public and a final agreement was never reached. The station links light rail commuters with boat and ferry services across and along the river.

A 700-meter moving walkway between BTS Saphan Taksin and the Surasak station is also included in the city’s plans, most likely as a measure in case the station is closed.

Part of the Silom Line, BTS Saphan Taksin is a major bottleneck because it alternates service in one direction at a time. It was the only BTS station built with a single track; officials said it was only built for temporary use. The problem is believed to cause delays of up to 4.5 minutes on the busy line.

BANGKOK — Hundreds of vendors will converge on Silom Road for the return of a walking street market on Dec. 20.

Lanes in both directions of Silom Road, from Sala Daeng intersection down to Naradhiwas Road, will close twice each month beginning Dec. 20 for folks to walk and shop in the road.

The walking street market, first ran as a pilot in December 2014, hasn’t been held since May. It was a concession from city hall to the vendors it forced out in a 2014 “clean up” campaign intended to improve traffic and walkability as part of the junta’s bid to “reorganize” the capital city.

The pedestrian market will run from 3pm to 9pm bimonthly on Sundays: Dec. 20, Dec. 27; Jan. 10, Jan. 24, Feb. 7, Feb. 28, March 6 and March 20.

More than 1,724 vendors reportedly registered at the Bang Rak district office last week. Due to the overwhelming interest in hawking goods at Silom Walking Street, vendors drew lots for permits to sell during the four-month season. About 200 vendors will set-up shop for the opening day.

The Walking Street was held 18 times earlier this year and received more than 7,000 visitors per day, according to Bang Rak district.

Those interested in checking it out are encouraged to take public transportation; BTS Sala Daeng and MRT Silom will bring folks right to the action.

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By Lisnaree Vichitsorasatra
Staff Reporter

BANGKOK — Yeah, we know you’re still waiting for the opening of In-N-Out Burger, but for now bite into the bounty of burgers new and hold to hit Bangkok.

From guilt-free veggie and cruelty-fed foie gras to good old beef, Bangkok has become lousy with burgers to satisfy every expectation.

The health-minded are unlikely to be reading about burgers, so let’s make it easy: Broccoli Revolution on Soi Sukhumvit 49 for the Broccoli Quinoa Charcoal Burger with mango tomato salsa (B235). For a serious meat-eater such as myself, it’s difficult to describe the shame-free feeling of a vegetarian patty in my belly. Unlike after meat burgers, I was greeted the next day by my weight-watching parents (mine, not theirs) who congratulated me on not looking bigger. The mango tomato salsa gives a sweet taste in contrast to the patty’s blandness. It’s served with salad or french fries, but even the fries – sweet potato and not too oily – won’t cause a coronary event. That good stomach feeling can continue with some of the fruit juice sold here, but it’s pricey (B100-180) compared to the street (B30-ish).

For another beefless burger try the Soft-shell Crab Burger with avocado and wasabi mayo now on the menu at Another Hound Cafe at Siam Paragon. Instead of fries, it comes with a lemony, mayonnaise-free coleslaw. Get a single patty (B290) or double-decker (B520). I went with the single, thought I was full and ended up getting another dessert. The softshell crab is fried, so if you’re avoiding fried food, this is not an option. Also the avocado was on the thin side, but when is that not the case with restaurant avocado?

Burger from Seed. Photo: Seed / Facebook
 

Anyone who lives in Bangkok will have heard of the Daniel Thaiger food truck, said by some to be the realm’s most delicious mobile eatery. This past weekend they served their famous foie gras burger – something to keep an eye out for. But let’s talk about their original beef burgers.

First of all the size of the burger is a perfect fit for your hands. Also, they fold the wrapper in a way that keeps it tightly in place. Remove this paper at your own peril.

The meat is good, but don’t order medium-rare unless you want a lot of soft meat in your mouth; medium seems best. The Daniel Thaiger truck is most often found on Soi Sukhumvit 23 in front of Whisgars and Craft. Check their Facebook page for updated intel including how to reserve a burger.

For more burgers with a twist try newly opened Seed (Near BTS Phrom Phong but not walkable) for a burger with a dry-aged beef patty, onion rings, Jack Daniels mayonnaise, and fries cooked in duck fat (A spendy B500).
 

Soft-shell Crab Burger at Another Hound Cafe. Photo: Another Hound / Facebook
 

Taste a California-style burger called the Dead Boy Beef Burger (B200) at another new joint, Let The Boy Die (yup, it’s a Thrones thing if you don’t get the reference). The Dead Boy comes with blue cheese, mushroom, carrot and cabbage coleslaw. The American TV references continue with the Six Feet Under pork burger (B200). Good place in Yaowarat area (Chinatown) to bring some beer-loving buddies.

Like music with your meatburger? Not new, but still good: Fatty's Bar & Diner on Rama IX Road for live music by local rock bands on the weekends. More recently Fatt’s has deployed the Lil Fatso food truck serving up yummy blue cheese sliders. I haven’t had Fatty’s burgers in awhile, but beware other appetizers such as their jalapenos poppers are so delicious that you might want to skip the burger all together and just order four more.
 

Lil' Fatso food truck. Photo: Dave Crimaldi